The Juneau Assembly voted Monday to grant the school district $2.3 million to help address the deficit in the lead-up to next year’s academic year.
The majority of the money will be used to help with a growing deficit in transportation funds due to declining enrollment and low state funding. The budget also includes $60,000 to purchase new mats for wrestling. The remaining funds will help pay for the deficits of classes for community members and RALLY, the district’s after-school programs.
Assembly approved the funds in a 6-to-3 vote, however there was resistance from a few members.
Mayor Beth Weldon suggested the Assembly reduced the amount by $1.9 million. She also suggested that some of the burden to pay back the money should be on the district.
“You already knew that you were in an insolvency situation, but I believe you all need to accept some responsibility,” she said.
Assembly Member Greg Smith asked Superintendent Bridget Weiss what the district could do to cover the deficits if it didn’t get the $2.3 millions from the Assembly. She stated that the district would need to draw from its savings.
Its style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”We aren’t really in possession of the resources to do this,” Weiss said. “It is coming from funds the balance .”
Assembly member for Alicia Hughes-Skandijs was aware of the situation Weldon was trying to get. However, without sufficient state funds, she added that the school district requires assistance.
“I believe we’re in a financial place to make that happen,” Hughes-Skandijs said.
Assembly Member Wade Bryson said although it’s possible at present, it may not happen in the coming years. He voted for Weldon’s lower sum.
The span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”There’s no funds to accomplish everything everyone wants to do. We’re all aware of this,” Bryson said. “If the current situation continues to act as if we have an infinite amount of money available in the future, we’re going to reach the top of the span of the cliff. .”
Assembly members ‘Waahlaal’ Giidaak’ said that the Assembly and the school board have discussed ways to reduce costs in the near future. This includes outsourcing RALLY to another company as well as having the City’s Parks and Recreation Department take over classes for community groups.
The span style=”font-weight 400 ;”>”When we hammer the system of education further the pressure is absorbed into our children,” she said. “I believe we have excellent, solid suggestions on how we can improve our efficiency and reduce costs I’d like to see these ideas become reality. But I’m of the opinion that the current approach of underfunding isn’t the best solution.”
Weldon was not able to resolve her disagreement with the $2.3 million demand. In the end, it was approved, including Weldon, Bryson and Maria Gladziszewski abstaining.
In addition schools have demanded an amount that is greater than the city-funded funding that the state will allow for next year. This is in addition in addition to $2.5 millions over that limit in the the next year.
