Teaching positions are on the chopping block in Kodiak

Over the last few years, the Kodiak Island Borough School District has had to cut about 18 teaching positions to balance its budget.

Kodiak’s Board of Education president Bob Foy pointed out that’s a big deal at a public forum focused on the district’s finances.

“The bottom line is that’s a pretty substantial cut when you think about a district our size and you just think about all the teachers and think about 18 positions not being there.”

Even though it’s been making a lot of hard decisions, the district expects to have a $1.5 million deficit next year. The only way the district can balance its budget is by asking for an increase in funding from the Kodiak Island Borough, Foy said.

Foy said even if the borough meets its request, more teachers will still see their jobs disappear next year.

The thing that’s up in the air is how many.

“We’re going to reduce by five more teachers, no matter what. Even if we get the maximum amount we think we need.”

If the district doesn’t get the funds it’s requesting from the borough it’ll have to cut about 14 teaching positions, instead of just five. Foy said these kinds of cuts are painful and will affect the education students receive.

“These aren’t easy decisions. We are down to counting pencils. There’s not slop that’s hidden in different places. We’re down to what really affects kids in the classroom.”

Foy believes the borough needs to adopt a multiyear funding plan to help the district better balance its budget and show that it’s prioritizing education.

KMXT - Kodiak

KMXT is our partner station in Kodiak. KTOO collaborates with partners across the state to cover important news and to share stories with our audiences.

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