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Tongass School of Arts & Sciences APC tells board the district withheld funds and seeks MOA remediation
Summary
TSAS APC said it lacks accurate financial reports, claims the district has withheld nearly $500,000 and asked the board for a liaison, timelines to correct records, and revisions to the memorandum of agreement including rent calculations.
Representatives from the Tongass School of Arts & Sciences academic policy committee told the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District board on Feb. 25 that the charter school has struggled for years to obtain accurate closeouts and financial reports and asked the board to remediate alleged breaches of the memorandum of agreement (MOA).
Tina Peckham, APC president, said TSAS has repeatedly requested corrected accounting data and that a recent round of requested reports produced only one corrected item. She said the APC believes the district currently owes the charter school “close to half $1,000,000.” Barbara Morgan, an APC community member, testified that the charter is owed funds that prevent the school from finalizing its budget.
Main requests: The APC asked the board to (1) provide a clear procedure and timeline for correcting inaccurate reports and returning funds owed to TSAS, (2) identify how TSAS may access a district fund balance set aside to reimburse the charter for prior errors, (3) revisit the MOA line items that assign district‑wide costs and per‑student charges (including rent calculations), and (4) create a board liaison to speed communications. APC members also raised concerns about carryovers being routed into a special fund balance instead of the charter operating account.
Board response: Trustees acknowledged the requests, described prior attempts to resolve issues with the business office, and agreed to pursue an in‑person review with the business manager and the superintendent. Member Sherry Montgomery volunteered to serve as a liaison. Board leadership asked staff to produce a timeline and report back with corrected figures; the superintendent said she would consult with the business manager and develop a timeline.
Specific dispute over rent: APC members argued the district’s maintenance‑based rent calculation appears to overcharge the charter. They said the charter paid roughly $214,000 in rent one year and faced a proposed $277,000 charge the next year. APC members cited Alaska statute 14.03.255 and asked the board to review the methodology and whether the calculation complies with statute.
Next steps: The board agreed to schedule follow‑up meetings with the business office and asked TSAS to bring specific documentation. APC representatives said they would return to a future regular meeting with updates; the board invited them to report at an upcoming meeting or under reports so the matter can be tracked.
