May 18, 2012
Friday

To the voters of Ketchikan,

I have concerns about the money being allocated to the school district by the borough assembly. At the proposed amount many programs may be in danger of being reduced or completely cut from schools including universal preschool, advanced placement courses, academic support courses, culinary arts, building construction, welding, child careers, business courses, art, and music.

This year, the state legislature passed additional funding to provide more stability in school programs. This funding was designed to reduce the pressure on school district budgets, specifically funding transportation and vocational programs due to their increasing costs. In response to this, the borough assembly is cutting their contribution to the school district so that no additional money will actually reach the district budget. This directly counteracts the efforts of the State and will force cuts in the important programs the state increase was designed to protect.

The assembly is looking to use funding, intended for education, to lower the mil rate. This will lower taxes but it will come at a major cost to students. Some of the student programs above will have to be cut to protect core academic programs. Every child deserves the chance to go to preschool, receive vocational training, and have access to advanced placement classes. We must meet the needs of ALL students. The benefits of these programs far outweigh the monetary costs.

I urge Ketchikan residents to contact borough assembly members and encourage them to support education funding.

In support of education funding,

Rebecca L. King
Ketchikan, AK

About: "I am a mother of two and an elementary school teacher."

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