Last night the board passed a balanced budget on second reading.  Below is basically what was said at that meeting as reported by Jeff Friedman.
ASD Memorandum # 219 <http://www.asdk12.org/school_board/archives/2010-2011/20110203/C01M219.pdf>  – FY 2011-2012 Proposed Financial Plan (Second Reading)

We made several changes from the original proposal based on the testimony we have received live and in writing.

1. We restored summer school at all three levels.  Not to the level we would prefer, but at least a somewhat more robust program than was originally thought.  There will be an elementary summer school, and there will be an opportunity for high school students to take optional course work with on line courses.  Middle school will also have a larger program, though still less than it has been in the past.
2. We put back library assistants in elementary, middle, and high schools.  I wish we could have a library assistant at every elementary school, but having a few part time positions is better than none, and it remains important to have these positions in middle school and high school.
3. We put back the high school secretaries.  These people do a huge amount of work to ensure that schools run smoothly so principals and teachers can focus on their jobs.
4. We put back the graduation coaches in high school.  Another position that reaches the students most likely to fall between the cracks.
5. We put in funding for Sonic Boom
6. And we restored funding for Battle of the Books.

We paid for all of this by spending an additional $2.2 million from the fund balance, for a total of $5.2 million.  We need a fund balance for cash flow purposes, and to cover any unexpected shortfalls in federal funding or to help in an emergency (such as when Russian Jack burned).  But a majority of the board felt we could spend this money and still have a reasonable reserve.  We also increased the average class size in grades 4 – 12 by 0.5 students.  This is equal to 20 full time teachers.  It wasn’t an easy decision, but in the end four board members (including myself) voted for it.

The budget is based on certain assumptions.  The Municipal Assembly told us how much local revenue we will get.  State law tells us how much we can expect from state funding.  We can also make reasonable assumptions regarding the amount we receive from the federal government for our general fund.  The memo can be accessed at the link above, and you can read all the details.
The next stop for this budget is the Municipal Assembly.  They will review it and set a total dollar amount for the upper limit of spending.  They could increase or decrease the total amount, but will probably keep things right where they are.

We will also be talking to legislators.  If state funding goes down, we will make additional cuts.  If state funding goes up – which really is a possibility – we would make adjustments in May, restoring some cuts or adding other important spending.

As always, if you have a view as to what either the Assembly or the Legislature should do, write to your representatives.  If you have a view as to what the school board should do, you can write to us.

Jeff Friedman
Anchorage School Board
1534 D Street
Anchorage, AK 99501
907-742-4699