Resolution 19-008, Opposing the $20 Million Dollar Repeal of K-12 State Aid to School Districts

CITY OF HOMER
HOMER, ALASKA

Aderhold

RESOLUTION 19-008

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, OPPOSING THE $20 MILLION DOLLAR REPEAL OF K-12 STATE AID TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2019.

                  WHEREAS,  The State of Alaska appropriated $20,000,000 dollars from the general fund to the Department of Education and Early Development to be distributed as grants to school districts for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019 through Senate Bill 142; and

                  WHEREAS, On June 4th, 2018 the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District held a Board of Education Work Session and determined the district could reinstate 11.5 staff positions, have three days per week of support staff, and purchase school instructional and curriculum supplies as a result of the $1,405,145 dollar one-time grant proposed by the State of Alaska through Senate Bill 142; and

                  WHEREAS, When the State of Alaska enacted Senate Bill 142 into law, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District determined the $1,405,145 dollar grant would be made available to the district based on the district’s experience receiving other one-time grants distributed by the State of Alaska in the past;  and

                    WHEREAS, The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District proceeded to keep 11.5 staff positions, have three days per week of support staff, and purchase supplies before officially receiving the State of Alaska appropriation; and

                   WHEREAS, The repeal of this one-time grant issued to the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District will detrimentally increase the district’s deficit; and

                   WHEREAS, The District may have to invoke year-end staff cuts, apply fund balance to cover this funding shortfall, or reduce next year’s budget by $1,405,145 dollars and impact the district’s long range fiscal plans; and

                    WHEREAS, Homer schools, teachers, and students may be impacted by these unanticipated reductions if the Kenai Peninsula School District incurs this state-initiated fiscal shortfall.

                   NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Homer City Council hereby opposes the $20 million dollar repeal of K-12 state aid to school districts for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2019 and requests the State of Alaska release the funds appropriated by this one-time grant. 

                  PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Homer City Council on this _____day of ________, 2019.

CITY OF HOMER
KEN CASTNER, MAYOR

ATTEST:
MELISSA JACOBSEN, MMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note: N/A