By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Staff Writer
Sitka School Board members approved several motions at their meeting Wednesday night, but struggled with budget shortfalls that will affect the school year that begins this fall.
The big topic was the Legislature’s lawsuit against Gov. Dunleavy for the release of $30 million, previously approved by the Legislature, that the governor threatens to withhold.
The School Board will reconvene on Tuesday, Aug. 13, to discuss potential state budget cuts again.
Present at the meeting were school board president Dr. Jennifer McNichol, vice president Elias Erickson, and members Eric Van Cise and Amy Morrison. Dionne Brady-Howard was absent.
Before budget discussions began, the board approved a $25,000 contract with the Hames Center, which will take over the Community Schools program. Despite the limited funding, School District Superintendent Mary Wegner was grateful that “at least it’s open and not shuttered.”
Though the rescued Community Schools program is somewhat bare bones, board members hoped that it could grow in the future, perhaps with the aid of grants.
With the board’s approval of the contract, the Hames Center was already accepting reservations for Community Schools activities today.
In other business Wednesday the board passed motions on the handling of sensitive background information, and on the closure of schools on snow days.
The board requested clarification regarding a motion on disciplinary action and teacher dismissal. It rejected a motion on the subject, finding the wording contradictory and uncertain. Members also postponed until Aug. 13 a decision on a schedule of future meeting dates.
The board also reminded the community that Sitka Tribe of Alaska will be holding a Back-to-School Fair at Sitka High School 4-7 p.m. Friday. Two dozen vendors will be present, and the event is open to the public.
On the pressing issue of the statewide school budget crisis, the board is facing a possible $151,000 budget shortfall for fiscal year 2020, which began July 1. Though this is less than one percent of Sitka’s school budget, the potential loss is enough to make board members and school administrators nervous.
Wegner also pointed out that “there’s a much bigger potential loss than just the $151,000.”
To cover the possible deficit, the board discussed cutting many items. Ideas ranged from cutting teaching staff, to furlough days, to a hiring freeze.
Some hoped for a warm winter to reduce fuel costs. The board had been planning to hire five new educators, but delayed the decision due to budget concerns. Elias Erickson said that “even if we didn’t refill any one of these positions, and we used all of the money in our reserves, we’re still at a loss.”
Another point of contention was the uncertainty regarding school enrollment numbers. The board needs an accurate student count in order to make a reliable financial plan, but Wegner said that enrollment numbers are far from certain this early in the process.
Because of the uncertainty regarding the fiscal future of Alaska’s schools, Jennifer McNichol said, “I wouldn’t encourage people with young children to move here right now.”
One idea for cutting the school budget was reducing janitorial service. As budget problems grew ever more apparent, Blatchley Principal Ben White told the board that if it would save money, “I’ll clean the crappers. I can do that a couple times.”
The board plans to make its final budget adjustments for the year when it meets on Tuesday.
