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Home My WebLink AboutRes2002-041 I I I Sponsored by: Janke CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2002-041 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA SUPPORTING THE OUR KIDS FIRST RALLY ON APRIL 24, 2002 WHEREAS, our Alaska Constitution mandates that the state provide an education system that offers all our children the opportunity to succeed in life; and WHEREAS, providing an adequate education is not a rural or an urban issue; it's an Alaskan issue; and WHEREAS, research shows that quality teachers are the most significant factor in student achievement, and that teachers get the job done better with a qualified team of support staff and administrators; and WHEREAS, quality educators are linked to competitive compensation, and in this time of nationwide shortages, school districts must have the ability to attract and retain quality education professionals; and WHEREAS, each public school is expected to implement new standards for teaching and learning, however the State of Alaska has failed to fund the total costs associated with successful implementation of new school standards; and WHEREAS, from fiscal year 1990 to 2000, inflation has eroded the school foundation funding program by 25%, some $200 million; and WHEREAS, Alaska ranks dead last among the states in K-12 education spending as a percentage of total net spending, and the percentage decline in per pupil spending over the past two decades is the highest in the country; and WHEREAS, this prolonged decline in school funding has occurred while the state is asking educators to raise student standards; and WHEREAS, educators are increasingly being expected to solve many ofthe problems of our larger society; and WHEREAS, each child is entitled to a first class opportunity to learn; in too many schools instructional materials are inadequate, textbooks are out-of-date, class sizes are too large, the needs of many special needs students are unmet and school districts lack the resources to attract and retain quality teachers, administrators, and education support professionals; and WHEREAS, good schools are essential to a vibrant quality oflife in Alaska; and CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2002-041 WHEREAS, the quality of our schools will affect our ability as a state to attract quality business and commerce and the jobs collateral to this development; and WHEREAS, there will be an Our Kids First Rally in Seward, Alaska on April 24, 2002 beginning at 4:45 PM with a walk from the Seward Elementary School or Alaska Sealife Center to the Harbormaster Plaza for a rally at 5:30 PM. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, that: Section 1. The City Council supports the proper funding of our schools and adequate funding for every Seward student. Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption. PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the city of Seward, Alaska, this 22nd day of April, 2002. THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA l!.. . I~ ~,,-1 Edgar Blatchford, Mayor AYES: NOES: ABSENT: ABSTAIN: Blatchford, Branson, Brossow, Calhoon, Clark, Shafer None Orr None 1&~d-cf1 OerL r RJrQ 12et~ (City Seal)