HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES2024-006 Base Student Allocation Sponsored by: Mayor McClure; Council Member Barnwell
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2024-006
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, REQUESTING THE STATE OF ALASKA LEGISLATORS
MAKE A MEANINGFUL INCREASE TO THE BASE STUDENT
ALLOCATION (BSA)FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
WHEREAS, the State of Alaska is constitutionally obligated to establish and maintain a
system of public schools; and
WHEREAS, under AS 29.35.160, the Kenai Peninsula Borough (KPB) is required to
constitute a borough school district and to establish, maintain, and operate a system of public
schools on an areawide basis; and
WHEREAS, AS 14.17.470 currently states that the Base Student Allocation (BSA)
provided by the state is $5,960; and
WHEREAS, at current funding levels, the state will only provide 56% for Fiscal Year
2024. Kenai Peninsula Borough School District(KPBSD)education funding,and Kenai Peninsula
Borough contributions will make up the majority of the remaining balance; and
WHEREAS,education is the single largest budgetary item for the borough; and
WHEREAS, without a BSA increase or one-time funding the Kenai Peninsula School
District will again be facing a budget deficit of over $13 million for FY25 which will require an
increase to class sizes and the elimination of programs crucial to our students and community
members; and
WHEREAS,requiring the KPB to continually increase local contributions,which are now
at their maximum allowable amount, is forcing the district to decrease spending on essential
programs for the upcoming fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, the state has not made meaningful BSA increases since Fiscal Years 2015-
2017; and
WHEREAS,the State has given a one-time funding to Alaska's schools for the past several
years; and
WHEREAS, these one-time funds are beneficial for a current year but don't contribute to
a permanent solution,effectively"kicking the can town the road"to be discussed again each year;
and
WHEREAS, on January 2, 2024, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly approved
CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2024-006
Page 2 of 2
Resolution 2024-002 to request that the State of Alaska make a meaningful increase to the Base
Student Allocation for public schools; and
WHEREAS, the Seward City Council joins the borough assembly in this request to the
state in the interest of providing students with the most opportunities for education possible.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD,ALASKA that:
Section 1. The Seward City Council hereby requests that State of Alaska legislators make
a meaningful increase to the Base Student Allocation(BSA)for Alaskan students in order to bridge
the fiscal gap created by a lack of adequate funding over the past several years.
Section 2.Copies of this resolution will be sent to Alaska Governor Dunleavy,all members
of the legislative delegation for the Kenai Peninsula Borough, the Kenai Peninsula Borough
Mayor, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District, the Alaska Education Committees in both
the Senate and House, and other interested parties.
Section 3.This resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 22"`1
day of January 2024.
THE CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
Cu-Arnect,
Sue McClure, Mayor
AYES: Osenga, Calhoon,Wells, Barnwell, Crites, McClure
NOES: None
ABSENT: Finch
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST: ����.. •,.,,,.
SA OF SEky
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Kris Peck = a SEAL
City Clerk
(City Seal) '• 0�; NE t: ...P�•t`�S
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Resolution 2024-006
City Council Agenda Statement
Meeting Date: January 22, 2024 ►
To: City Council
From: Sue McClure, Mayor; Robert Barnwell, City Council Member
Agenda Item: Resolution 2024-006: Requesting The State of Alaska Legislators Make a
Meaningful Increase To The Base Student Allocation (BSA) for Public
Schools
Background and justification:
The council recognizes that our public schools are an essential component of our community and
its health. They must have adequate state funding in order to continue delivering the quality
education and activities. The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is currently looking at a
13-million-dollar deficit. If a substantial increase in funding does not occur, catastrophic effects,
including reduction in staff, reduction in programs, and possible closing of facilities are very real
possibilities.
The Superintendent of Schools has asked for support from Kenai Peninsula municipalities.
Comprehensive and Strategic Plan Consistency Information
This legislation is consistent with (citation listed):
Comprehensive 2.2.5
Plan:
Strategic Plan:
Other:
Certification of Funds
Total amount of funds listed in this legislation: $ 0
This legislation (✓):
Creates revenue in the amount of: $
Creates expenditure in amount of: $
Creates a savings in the amount of: $
x Has no fiscal impact
Funds are (✓):
Budgeted Line item(s):
Not budgeted
Not applicable
Unassigned Fund Balance and Available Unrestricted Cash Balance Information
Fund (✓):
General SMIC Electric Wastewater
Boat Harbor Parking F1 Wat F1 Healthcare
Motor Pool Other
Unassigned Fund Balance*: $ *unaudited numbers
101
Resolution 2024-006
Available Unrestricted Cash Balance*: $
Finance Director Signature:
Attorney Review,/ Administration Recommendation
RxYes x Adopt Resolution
Not applicable Other:
102