Kodiak Island Borough approves $13.78 million local contribution for schools after lengthy debate

The Kodiak Island Borough Assembly voted 6 to 1 on May 21 to adopt Resolution FY2027-01, setting the borough's local contribution to the Kodiak Island Borough School District at $13,779,556 for fiscal year 2027.

The figure, moved by Assemblymember Mister Whiteside and seconded, represents an $800,000 increase from FY2026 and was presented by Whiteside as a compromise between the district's full ask and community concerns about taxes and service levels. "This funding level represents an increase of $800,000 from FY '26," Whiteside said, urging the assembly to balance the district's needs against other borough priorities.

Why it mattered: The resolution and the amendment votes followed hours of public comment that included appeals both for and against increased local funding. Carrie Irons, a member of the school board, asked the assembly to "consider funding the district to the maximum as requested," noting deep cuts the district had already made and the ongoing fiscal pressures from insufficient state support. Michael Martin Jr., a long-time resident, urged caution and called for an "independent efficiency and performance audit" of the district before approving more money.

Debate and amendments: Assemblymember Mister Gardner moved an amendment intending to reduce the district's ask from the stated $14,615,403 down to $12,205,244 and to subject any supplemental requests to further borough review. Gardner said the change was motivated by concerns about transparency and the district's administrative costs. That amendment failed on roll call.

Whiteside's later amendment setting the contribution at $13,779,556 passed 6 to 1. Manager Williams cautioned the assembly about mill-rate implications and certification timing: from the available information the borough's estimated mill rate would move from about 8.91 to about 9.56 if the schools were fully funded without other adjustments.

Public testimony: Residents provided multiple perspectives during two citizen-comment periods. Alan Schmidt, representing the Kodiak Senior Center, and Beata Daley of the Kodiak Middle School PTSA highlighted local services funded in part by borough and nonprofit grants. Several residents, including Brenda Schwantes and other callers, raised concerns about district transparency and the educational effect of classroom iPad use; Schwantes said she had filed a public-records request on March 4 and had "still haven't heard back from them." Assistant Superintendent Kim Saunders, speaking for Superintendent Cindy Mika, thanked the assembly for collaborative problem-solving and defended modern instructional tools as necessary for preparing students.

Outcome and next steps: With the resolution adopted as amended, the borough will include the $13,779,556 local contribution in the FY2027 operating budget. Manager Williams said certified values and final calculations will be presented at a special meeting next week after staff reconcile anomalies in newly adopted tax-assessment software; the assembly postponed introduction of two FY2027 ordinances until that special meeting to avoid publishing incorrect levy figures.

The adoption ends the immediate budget line-item decision but does not resolve longer-term issues residents and members raised, including audit requests, potential school closures and trade-offs in capital maintenance funding. The assembly scheduled additional budget work sessions and indicated staff will present certified numbers and options at upcoming meetings.