HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESOLUTION 2001-87Suggested by: Councilman Bannock
CITY OF KENAI
RESOLUTION NO. 2001-87
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, SUPPORTING THE
"ALASKA'S CHILDREN, ALASI~'S FUTURE" STATEWIDE CAMPAIGN TO ACHIEVE PROPER
FUNDING FOR ALASKA'S SCHOOLS AND ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR EVERY ALASKAN
STUDENT.
WHEREAS, our Alaska Constitution mandates the state provide an education system that
offers all our children the opportunity to succeed in life; and,
WHEREAS, research shows that quality teachers are the'most significant factor in student
achievement, and that teachers get the job done better with a qualified team of support staff
and administrators; and,
WHEREAS, quality educators are linked to competitive compensation and in this time of
nationwide shortages, school districts must have the ability to attract and retain quality
education professionals; and,
WHEREAS, each public school is expected to implement new standards for teaching and
learning, however the State of Alaska has failed to fund the total costs associated with
successful implementation of new school standards; and,
WHEREAS, from fiscal years 1990 to 2000, inflation has eroded the school foundation funding
program by 25%; some $200 million; and,
WHEREAS, Alaska ranks dead last among the states in K-12 education spending as a
percentage of total net spending, and the percentage decline in per pupil spending over the past
two decades is the highest in the country; and,
WHEREAS, this prolonged decline in school funding has occurred while the state is asking
educators to raise student standards and educators are increasingly being expected to solve
many of the problems of our larger society; and,
WHEREAS, each child is entitled to a first-class opportunity to learn, however in too many
schools, instructional materials are inadequate; textbooks are out of date; class sizes are too
large; the needs of many special-needs students are unmet; and school districts lack the
resources to attract and retain quality teachers, administrators and education support
professionals; and,
WHEREAS, good schools are essential to a vibrant quality of life in Alaska and the quality of
our schools will affect our ability as a state to attract quality business and commerce, as well
as the jobs essential to this development.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA,
that it supports the "Alaska's Children, Alaska's Future" statewide campaign to achieve proper
funding of our schools and adequate funding for every Alaskan student.
PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, ~is 2 ~~~ November, 2001.
~~~~~ JJOH~ILLI-AMS, M~YO~
· Shery~/Padilla, Acting City Clerk
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