Residents asked for input into school budget

  • 2015-12-06
Administrators with the Anchorage School District have asked for the community's help in finding solutions to a budget gap in the district's funding.

Administrators met with members of the public on November 23 to solicit their opinions. Using clickers, residents voted that the district's money should go to supporting classroom teachers, teaching assistants, and other support teachers.

When officials asked where to cut the budget, the community responded that it did not want any cuts in teachers, transportation, or nutrition. They did suggest that cuts might be made in support staff including principals, administrative assistants, and assistant principals. Meeting attendees also told the administrators should increase the budget for next year by 7%.

The November 23 meeting was the first of four the school district plans to get public discourse started about the budget. Residents may also submit their remarks and ideas online.

One parent, Jane Russell, who has a child in third grade in public school and another in a private school, attended the meeting. She said the district would probably be forced to cut staff jobs in order to balance the budget. Almost 89% of the budget goes to pay for the staff.

District officials might create Brochures to mail to residents, explaining their concerns and asking people to attend the meetings and share their opinions.
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