The Kenai Peninsula Borough School Board adopted a final draft version of their fiscal year 2017 budget as they wait to see what changes are made to the state’s budget in the legislature. The draft adopted on April 4 includes the use of $209,424 from the District’s fund balance, as well as cuts in staff.
District spokeswoman Pegge Erkeneff said in February that 35 full time positions could be cut but a memo by Assistant Superintendent Dave Jones suggests reinstating 14 positions.
Erkeneff: “It’s possible that more reductions might be necessary based on what comes out in the final budget to the state and how that’s effective in the borough.”
Thirteen of the staff reductions in the District is due to reductions in enrollment.
The budget adopted has recommended revenue and expenditures based on what the District is expecting, as well as “worst case scenarios” for the District’s revenue and expenditures.
The District’s “worst case scenarios” include if the Base Student Allocation amount is changed and if the Senate Bills regarding the Teacher Retirement System changes are passed.