The first draft of the Petersburg School District’s budget anticipates a $343,000 deficit, which is more than last month’s estimate.
In a presentation to the school board on Thursday, April 24, school officials said that’s because the district’s enrollment projections went down, and they had hired more paraprofessionals. But other expenses, like health insurance and curriculum costs, turned out lower than expected.
The district is planning to spend $11.6 million next school year. Last year, the district budgeted $11.2 million.
The district is closely watching a proposed one-time funding increase from the state. Superintendent Robyn Taylor said she thinks there will be some extra funding beyond the state’s annual funding formula, the Base Student Allocation, even though she’s not sure how much.
“We’ll see where it lands, but I do feel confident that we will see some one-time funds coming to help us for next year,” she said.
One proposal currently in the Alaska Legislature could give the district $490,000. That proposal has passed the House but still needs to be approved by the Senate and governor.
The district has also requested $3.45 million from the Petersburg Borough, which is $200,000 more than what the borough currently has budgeted for the schools.
District Finance Director Shannon Baird said the lower figure would work if the state funding increase comes through. That would leave the district with a smaller deficit that Baird said she is “extremely comfortable with.”
If the borough increased their contribution to the district, they would need to pull additional money from either the borough’s general fund, or use additional Secure Rural Schools money. That’s a federal program that gives money to communities near national forests, and the borough recently received over $720,000 through that program to pay for roads and schools. But, those federal funds aren’t guaranteed every year.
This year, the district launched a budget simulation tool to collect community feedback. The district is still taking submissions through the end of the month. Community members can also reach out to the district directly.
The final draft of the budget will be presented in June, which is also when the governor signs the operating budget for education spending.
