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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 2023-24e��..: Sponsored by: Knackstedt CITY OF KENAI RESOLUTION NO. 2023-24 A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING STATE OF ALASKA LEGISLATIVE ACTION INCREASING THE BASE STUDENT ALLOCATION BY AT LEAST $1000 TO ADEQUATELY FUND AND RESTORE STUDENT SCHOOL RESOURCES AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES. WHEREAS, the State of Alaska is constitutionally obligated to establish and maintain a system of public schools; and, WHEREAS, in the Kenai Peninsula Borough, including within the City of Kenai, important school resources and opportunities for students have both been cut and are at risk of further cuts do to budgetary shortfalls; and, WHEREAS, the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District is facing a $13.1 million budget deficit for FY24, which would require increased class sizes and elimination of programs important to our students and community; and, WHEREAS, previous increases to the base student allocation have not been equitable compared to increased costs and the rates of inflation; and, WHEREAS, increasing the base student allocation by at least $1000 would help restore and maintain reasonable class sizes, electives such as art, theatre, music and foreign lanaguages, vocational training programs, counseling and other student resource opportunities as well as sporting activities such as swimming; and, WHEREAS, adequately funding education by theState of Alaska will help provide quality education to our students. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL. OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA: Section 1. That Kenai City Council supports State Legislative action that would increase the base student allocation by at least $1,000. Section 2. That a copy of this resolution will be sent to Governor Dunleavy and the Kenai Peninsula legislative delegation, the President of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Board of Education, the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly, the Education Committees of the Alaska House and Alaska Senate, and the Finance Committees of the Alaska House and Alaska Senate. Section 3. That this Resolution takes effect immediately upon passage. PASSED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KENAI, ALASKA, THIS 5'" DAY OF APRIL, 2023. rian Gabriel Sr., Mayor ATTEST Michelle M. Saner, MMC, City Clerk New Text Underlined; [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] KF NAI City of Kenai 1 210 1-idalgo Ave, Kenai, AK 99611-77941 907.283.75351 www kenaixity MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor Gabriel and Council Members FROM: Council Member Knackstedt DATE: March 30, 2023 SUBJECT: Resolution No. 2023-24 — Base Student Allocation This Resolution requests the Alaska legislature increase the Base Student Allocation (BSA) by at least $1000. There are currently both House and Senate Bills being considered by the legislature with varying amounts of increase proposed to the BSA. Regardless of how the Bills move forward, what is important is an increase to the BSA of at least $1000 to both maintain and restore important educational resources and opportunities for students in Kenai. The School District currently faces a significant budgetary shortfall that could further eliminate important programs such as vocational training, foreign languages, art, music and theatre classes, reduce counseling services, result in pool closures, and cause increased class sizes. Recent increases to the BSA have not kept up with inflation or the costs of providing a quality education. Your consideration is appreciated.