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Superintendent outlines Tri Valley septic delay, school funding request and staffing needs
Summary
At the April 9 Denali Borough Assembly meeting, Superintendent Volta presented school district updates including a FY26 local contribution request of $2.93 million, a Tri Valley septic project setback after rejected bids, release of Tri Valley roof grant funds, purchase of a new activity bus and several staff hires.
Superintendent Volta told the Denali Borough Assembly on April 9 that the school district is seeking a FY2026 local contribution of $2,930,074 — including a required local share of $1,115,439 tied to borough property valuations — to support the district’s budget.
"There's a total of $2,930,074," Volta said while outlining the request and explaining that required local contributions affect state funding levels. He told the assembly the district assumes a $680 increase to the base student allocation in its calculations; if that state funding does not materialize the district said it would return excess local funds rather than ask for more.
Volta also reported on several operational matters. The Tri Valley septic and leach‑field project has been delayed after the district rejected all initial engineering bids and reissued the request for proposals; as a result, construction is unlikely this summer. The superintendent told the assembly the Tri Valley system was installed in 1972 and that a condition survey ten years ago showed the leach field was percolating at about one‑third less than its original rate.
The district is receiving $1,573,669.63 in state DEED funds to close out the Tri Valley roof project; the required 20% local contribution for that award is estimated at $393,417.62, Volta said. The district plans to put those and other grant proceeds into its capital improvement fund to complete projects and improve future application scoring.
On equipment and facilities, Volta said the district purchased a 24‑passenger activity bus at a cost of about $70,000, with the vendor delivering to Tacoma and the borough shipping the vehicle north by barge. The old activity bus has been listed for sale with an asking price of $5,000 and offers being accepted through April 15.
Volta briefed the assembly on personnel changes: pending board approval the district hired David Romine for an English language arts opening at Tri Valley; Rich Johnson has been hired as technology manager; Terry Schutz will serve as director of special education and federal programs; and Sam Kimmel will join as a district nurse. The superintendent also reported progress with retirement‑system filings and a resolved IRS paperwork issue.
Volta outlined federal‑immigration paperwork related to two teachers on H‑1B visas whom the district is sponsoring for permanent residency. He described the multiyear timeline: Department of Labor prevailing wage determinations, job advertisement requirements, a Department of State application and then waiting for visa availability — a process that could take several years for applicants from the Philippines.
Volta also described a local nonprofit proposal, Alaska's Bounding for Children, to provide daily lunch (and possibly breakfast) at no cost to students. He said the district is evaluating operational and community impacts, and warned the assembly that if a nonprofit stopped offering the service in future the district could face costs in the range of $100,000 to $200,000 to continue it.
Other items Volta discussed included potential certification and inspection costs for an older indoor climbing wall and ongoing maintenance achievements across district buildings.
The assembly heard the report and members asked questions about the timing of the Tri Valley project and budget details; Volta said staff would provide additional information on request.
