Over the next several weeks, the school board is set to discuss the upcoming year’s budget and a reduction in force plan.
Board President Katherine Tatsuda said the school district is in a budget deficit, although that could change depending on how the end of this year goes. And the school district is already $5 million dollars in debt to the borough because of alleged overspending and rising health care costs.
“It is going to be difficult, and brutal, and painful, and we might need to bring Kleenexes to as many meetings as we can, because it’s going to be hard,” Tatsuda said.
According to the school district, budget direction from the board is necessary to “help shape assumptions and planning parameters” and “discuss initial strategies.”
At the budget meeting on Wednesday, board members shared their priorities, values and non-negotiables that will guide budget development. Board member Jordan Tabb said that there will be “difficult cuts” and that the math is “unavoidable.” But he said programming cuts or changes need to be done as “equitably as possible” to not “disproportionately impact some portion of our students.” He went on to say that he’s “anxious about the prospect of closing buildings or doing relocations.”
Board member Ali Ginter, on the other hand, said she isn’t ready to discuss her budget priorities just yet.
“I guess when I think about what you’re asking my priorities are, I don’t know, because I haven’t had a chance to listen to our community,” Ginter said. “My priorities are going to reflect those of our community, and their input and our staff.”
Board President Tatsuda responded by saying the board will soon receive the results of a community survey that asked students, parents and teachers about their educational priorities. The board will also hold a number of open work sessions, including one this Saturday at 2 p.m. at borough assembly chambers.
Two community members spoke to the board about the upcoming budget cycle at the Wednesday meeting. Ketchikan Education Association vice president and school district teacher Mary Maley said, among other things, that she’s concerned about how a reduction in force plan could be discussed before a budget is finalized.
“A reduction in force is based on a budget – you have to do one before the other,” Maley said. “And while I do think it’s important that we get that RIF plan in place as soon as possible to let people know what their futures might be, at the same time, it has to be based on the reality of the budget.”
Board President Tatsuda said in a phone call with KRBD that the district’s reduction in force plan will be reviewed by the school board at its March 11 and 25 meetings.
Board members also touched on their own values when determining a budget, and highlighted their own budget values – the need for stability, accountability, transparency, staff support and tribal consultation within the district.
Board member Shari Montgomery also discussed how the district can retain students, which she says can better inform future budget decisions.
“We have to plan this year’s budget, but we have to look at the longevity of our district,” Montgomery said. “The choices we make now for these kids in elementary – it’s going to affect whether they’re still here to go to high school or not.”
Toward the end of the budget work session, the board briefly talked about what should not be cut from the school district in the upcoming fiscal year. Those included compliance with federal requirements, ensuring student safety, meeting graduation requirements, funding the English Language Learner program and others.
The board also discussed the repayment of $5.4 million in debt to the borough, which was brought to the attention of the school district in November. Interim Superintendent Sheri Boehlert said the district’s funds from the borough are sequestered until a debt repayment plan is agreed upon by both the school board and the borough assembly. That could be approved by the borough assembly as early as Monday.
“In whatever debt repayment schedule we decide on, we need to get that remedied quickly to be able to move forward,” Boehlert said.
The district is also requesting $1.6 million from the borough to help with funding for the current fiscal year.
And according to Borough Manager Ruben Duran, the school district had insufficient funds to meet its Feb. 27 payroll. That’s because the borough is withholding funds until a debt repayment plan is agreed upon. However, the borough authorized the transfer of $1.4 million to the district on Wednesday to meet payroll.
The district’s proposed fiscal year 2027 budget could be reviewed and voted on by the borough assembly on April 8.
Hunter Morrison is a Report for America corps member for KRBD. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep him writing stories like this one. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution.
