 |
Loading
|
|
||||
|
|
 |
Printer-friendly version |
June 12, 2012
Contacts:
Heather Sawyer
ASD Communications
Phone: (907) 742-4158
Email: hawyer_heather@asdk12.org
Carol Comeau
ASD Superintendent
Phone: (907) 742-4123
Email: comeau_carol@asdk12.org
Jeannie Mackie
Anchorage School Board President
Email: mackie_jeannie@asdk12.org
A few Arts, World Languages positions reinstated
The Anchorage School Board has approved changes to the Anchorage School District budget for fiscal year 2012-13. These changes are the result of both increases and decreases to the revenue and expenses since the approval of the budget in February.
The district began its planning for the 2012-13 fiscal year with a $30 million gap. In February, the board approved the use of $7 million of the fund balance—similar to a savings account—to reduce that gap and approved $23 million in cuts to the district's $578 million General Fund.
The $23 million in reductions came mostly from administrative and operational areas. The reductions are broken down as follows:
44% administrative or operational personnel, technology equipment and project funds
25% instructional support such as summer school and teacher experts
24% school support personnel such as counselors and career guides
7% classroom teachers
This spring, the Alaska State Legislature and the Governor approved more than $24 million in direct, one-time capital grants for projects to schools. These funds can only be used for the items named in the grants and include projects such as interactive white boards, artificial turf and other school improvements.
The legislature also provided an additional $7.5 million in one-time funds and $3.8 million in ongoing operating funds. At this same time, ongoing Federal Impact aid decreased by $2.6 million. After calculating all the increases and decreases to revenue and expenses, the district estimates a net increase of $9.3 million in one-time funds and $2.2 million in ongoing operating funds.
Due to the uncertain nature of one-time funds, the Anchorage School Board and Assembly have encouraged the district to spend one-time funds on one-time activities such as the purchase of goods or short-term services. District administration developed their budget recommendations with this guidance in mind.
At Monday's meeting, the board agreed to use the one-time costs for:
They also approved the use of ongoing expenses for:
The newly-revised budget must be approved by the assembly before the changes can be enacted. The assembly will vote on the budget on July 10.
"The board and administration dealt with our limits in this budget responsibly. Based on future predictions, budget decisions will continue to be distressing," said School Board President Jeannie Mackie.
Future budget deficits are estimated at over $20 million, not including the use of the district's fund balance, which currently has approximately $23 million in unallocated funds.
In May, the district issued layoff notices to 35 teachers and 20 support staff personnel. The board reinstated 4.5 full-time equivalent positions at Monday's meeting, 3.1 of which are ongoing positions, and 1.4 of which will be eliminated after next school year. Through retirements and the departure of other employees, the district has been able to place 15 additional teachers and six support staff in other district positions. Currently, 20 teachers and 14 support staff remain laid off. With the reinstated positions and anticipated attrition, the district expects that these numbers will continue decrease over the summer.
Superintendent Carol Comeau said, "I am very appreciative of the many students, parents, community members and staff who either testified or sent emails to the School Board and administration over the past month. I am grateful to the School Board for their thoughtful decision-making in making these budget adjustments in line with our fiscal policies and anticipated future shortfalls.
"I hope that the many people who testified during these difficult budget discussions will continue to be involved during the upcoming election and legislative seasons. We must help our elected officials understand that investing in public education in a manner that keeps up with the cost of living, and ensures that we are able to deliver a comprehensive educational program for all students, is an investment in Anchorage and its future."
 |
|
||||||
|
