Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Finance Director Liz Hayes presents information on the district’ fiscal year 2024 budget at Kenai Central High School on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Finance Director Liz Hayes presents information on the district’ fiscal year 2024 budget at Kenai Central High School on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

KPBSD to hold community budget meetings in Homer, Kenai and Seward

The school district prepares budgets for fiscal years that run from July 1 to June 30

The Kenai Peninsula Borough School district next month will host a series of budget development meetings, seeking input from staff, parents and community members, per a Monday release.

Meetings are set for Homer, Kenai and Seward, across two weeks. On Feb. 11, a meeting will be held in the Homer High School library. On Feb. 19, a meeting will be held in the Kenai Central High School library. On Feb. 20, a meeting will be held in the Seward High School library. All three meetings are set for 6 p.m.

The school district prepares budgets for fiscal years that run from July 1 to June 30. The school district has to provide their balanced budget to the Kenai Peninsula Borough by May 1.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

At similar budget development meetings held in 2023, district staff shared information about the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, describing the budget deficit faced by the district and how that deficit might be overcome. At that meeting, KPBSD Finance Director Liz Hayes urged community members to tell their representatives in the Alaska Legislature what they wanted for school funding.

The school district last year, facing a deficit of $13.7 million, approved a budget with cuts to staffing positions, deferred payments for curriculum and equipment, and other impacts to extracurricular activities including closing pools and theaters. Those cuts were later reversed after one-time funding was secured by the Legislature, but KPBSD Board of Education President Zen Kelly then said he expects “a $17-plus million deficit” in the coming fiscal year.

The board of education next meets on Jan. 13.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.

More in News

Greg Brush speaks during a town hall meeting hosted by three Kenai Peninsula legislators in the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly Chambers in Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, March 29, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Legislators hear fishing concerns at joint town hall

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman and Reps. Justin Ruffridge and Bill Elam fielded questions and addressed a number of issues during the meeting.

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland speaks during a meeting of the KPBSD Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, April 7, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
KPBSD budgeting in ‘no-win situation’

School board plans to advance budget with significant reductions in staff and programs while assuming a $680 BSA increase.

Nikolaevsk School is photographed on Thursday, April 3, 2025, in Nikolaevsk, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
‘We just need more time’

Nikolaevsk advocated keeping their school open during a KPBSD community meeting last week.

Brent Johnson speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Assembly to consider request to Alaska Legislature for 5% property tax increase cap

The resolution was postponed until the next meeting amid questions from assembly members about how the cap might work.

Protesters stand along the Sterling Highway in Soldotna, Alaska, participating in the “Remove, Reverse, Reclaim” protest organized by Many Voices and Kenai Peninsula Protests as part of the nationwide 50501 effort on Saturday, April 5, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Hundreds turn out in Homer, Soldotna to protest actions of Trump administration

Signs expressed support for federal programs, services and employees, as well as diversity, democracy and science.

The setting sun over Kachemak Bay highlights Mount Augustine in the distance on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024, in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Augustine Island geothermal lease sale opens

Tracts are available on the northern half of the island, located in the lower Cook Inlet.

Alaska State Troopers logo.
Seldovia man found dead in submerged vehicle

83-year-old Seldovia resident Roger Wallin Sr. was declared missing on March 31.

Kenai City Manager Terry Eubank speaks during Kenai’s State of the City presentation at the Kenai Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Services, projects spotlighted at Kenai’s State of the City

Mayor Brian Gabriel and City Manager Terry Eubank delivered the seventh annual address.

The Homer Public Library. File photo
In wake of executive order, peninsula libraries, museums brace for funding losses

Trump’s March 14 executive order may dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services “to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law.”

Most Read