Anchorage Assembly Caps School District’s Share of Muni Tax Dollars

While district growth is capped at one percent, municipal spending is expected to increase by two percent next year.

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By Kirsten Swann

Story Created: Oct 27, 2011 at 12:40 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Oct 27, 2011 at 12:40 PM AKDT

“Bless their heart,” said Anchorage School Board President Gretchen Guess.

In reality, it’s her nice way of saying: “Really? You decided to do that? Ok."

That’s how Guess described the Anchorage Assembly’s decision to cap ASD’s share of municipal tax revenue at just under $230 million.

The figure represents a one percent increase over last year, and Guess said it leaves them with an $18 million budget gap in 2012.

Municipal tax revenues make up one-third of the district’s budget, which is projected to hit around $723 million. But as the entire country struggles with tight economic times, board members said they’re used to the cuts.

“The unfortunate part was their decision to fund us at a different rate than the city,” Guess said, and hopes to overcome “that kind of inconsistency from the assembly” in the future.

While district growth is capped at one percent, municipal spending is expected to increase by two percent next year.

Assembly members said it’s not a matter of equality. With a multimillion-dollar deficit projected in ASD’s own six-year fiscal plan, they claim the fiscal stability of Anchorage schools hang in the balance.

"I don't go into this as, ‘what's fair for me is fair for you,’” said assemblyman Adam Trombley. “The reason we're projecting a $106 million budget deficit is because of the whole idea that, 'oh, it's fair, it's fair, it's fair.’"

Despite declining enrollment and $7 million worth of spending cuts next year, board members said there’s a reason why the cost of education continues to rise.

"What we have seen an increase of is special needs students over the year and the number of students who are in poverty,” Guess said. “Those two types of students take more resources."

Trombley said it doesn’t change the numbers.

"The bottom line is, it's not sustainable,” Trombley said. “These are drastic times, and drastic measures have to be put forth."

At the end of the day, even Anchorage students have to balance the checkbook.

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KEN said on Friday, Oct 28 at 9:56 AM

WAY TO GO ADAM STAY TOUGH !!!!!!

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mikey372002 said on Friday, Oct 28 at 9:51 AM

And we need to cut administration, I know that dept has exploded, friends hiring friends, creating jobs for friends.

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Al Enstein said on Thursday, Oct 27 at 1:43 PM

time to cut out all sports and extra curricular activities that are non educational the focus of schools should be education of children to become productive adult members of society, bring back wood and metal shop teach kids skills that will help them become employable upon graduation.

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