Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ketchikan school board warns of deep budget shortfall, schedules special sessions and reconsideration of borough repayment plan
Summary
Board members and administrators said the district faces a pressing cash‑flow problem and possible multi‑million‑dollar shortfall. Trustees scheduled special work sessions and a reconsideration of a borough debt‑repayment ordinance as they plan a draft budget and a reduction‑in‑force process.
The Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District Board of Education on Feb. 25 told attendees the district faces an urgent budget and cash‑flow problem and moved to accelerate budget planning and community engagement.
Board members agreed to a special meeting and additional work sessions as administrators prepare a draft, working budget and a reduction‑in‑force (RIF) plan to present to the public. Superintendent Bollard said district staff are preparing a working budget for review and that the timeline must be tightened to respond to an ongoing cash‑flow shortfall.
Why it matters: The district is negotiating a debt‑repayment schedule with the borough. Superintendent Bollard told the board the borough is considering a three‑year repayment ordinance and that sequestering of some district funds will continue until an MOA is signed. “We are to a critical time with the borough,” Bollard said, urging the board to decide whether to accept a faster repayment schedule or press for different terms.
What the board did and will do: The trustees scheduled a special meeting on Saturday, Feb. 28, and a sequence of work sessions to develop priorities, stakeholder engagement and a draft RIF timeline. The board also moved into a work session at the Feb. 25 meeting to discuss budget planning; a subsequent motion authorized executive session to discuss ongoing labor negotiations.
Process and safeguards: Board members repeatedly emphasized that any RIF plan must be based on finalized budget figures and negotiated in consultation with mandated parties. Mary Maly, vice president of the Ketchikan Education Association, reminded the board that KEA is a required participant in RIF negotiations and asked that drafts be shared with the union before the board acts.
Board concerns and priorities: Trustees said they will prioritize compliance, student safety, special education and programs that support graduation, while seeking equity across schools. Member Jordan Tabb said the board should try to avoid program cuts that would disproportionately harm marginalized students, while Member Sherry Montgomery volunteered to serve as a liaison to the charter school APC and offered to help shape timelines for business‑office follow‑up.
Public input: The superintendent said a community survey drew nearly 400 responses; the board plans to use those results and additional town‑hall style engagement to inform tradeoffs before taking votes. The board also discussed how to post early working budgets so the public can review alternatives before final votes.
Next steps: Staff will consult with the business office to prepare a draft working budget for the March 7 work session and release it publicly. The board will hold at least two readings of any RIF resolution (introduction followed by a second reading at a later regular meeting) and will seek union consultation as required. The board also signaled willingness to revisit the borough repayment terms during the upcoming assembly agenda.
