The document discusses challenges and opportunities around adequate school funding for Sitka's schools. It outlines Sitka School Board goals which include maintaining and improving programs, promoting community engagement, and redefining programs and funding allocations. It also discusses federal mandates from laws like IDEA and NCLB, and ensuring funding meets these mandates while allowing for local control over educational priorities. The outlook for this year's funding is described as providing some relief but not meeting adequacy standards, and advocacy is needed at local, state, and federal levels to secure sustained and adequate education funding.

1. Challenges and Opportunities: The Ongoing Case for Adequate School Funding Legislative Priorities and Budget Considerations for Sitka’s Schools

2. Sitka School Board Goals Seek Funding to Maintain and Improve Programs Grants Funded a Grant Writing Position Lobbying Campaign Ongoing Legislative Contact Occurring

3. Sitka School Board Goals Promote Greater Community Engagement in the Education of Sitka Students Build a Positive Partnership with the Native Community QS2 Member District Redefine the Program, Structure and Funding Allocations in Collaboration with the Community Site Based Strategic Planning Implemented and Fused with District Strategic Plan Continuation of Community Budget Hearings Effort to Make School Budget More Transparent

4. What is Adequate Funding? A working definition of adequacy may be described as the total resources needed by schools to insure that every child satisfies local and state academic standards while demonstrating proficiency on federally mandated benchmark exams (No Child Left Behind)

5. Federal Mandates versus Local Control: How will Sitka Build its School Budgets in the Years to Come? Balancing Federal Accountability Systems with Local Educational Needs and Wants with Limited Resources

6. Heating the Alphabet Soup: Who is Going to Pay for the Gas Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act of 1975 (IDEA) 40% Federal Contribution Promised, 16% Today Roughly 25% of the Instructional Budget in Sitka is Serving 5% of Our Kids No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) The Cumulative Gap Between Authorized Levels and Actual Appropriations for NCLB since it’s passage total over $20 Billion

7. One Board Members Quick Take on NCLB Focuses exclusively on the 3 R’s – Science in 2007-08 Adequate Yearly Progress – 100% Proficiency by 2013-14 Annual Measurable Objective – Possible Compounding Effect Sanctions, Consequences and other Corrective Actions – 31 Ways to Fail Temptations and the Political Wind – Allowing the test to drive curriculum Piling On – Pulling from the Top and the Middle

8. Meeting the NCLB Challenge Dedicating funds – how many ways can you split the same orange? Securing New Funds – Ongoing Legislative Advocacy and Borough Communication Advocacy for DEED Support Programs – Teacher Mentoring Program, Teacher Performance Incentives, Principal Mentoring

9. Local Questions not Included on the Test Current Board is Dedicated to Ensuring that our Kids Receive a Comprehensive Education Will the Community be Ready or Willing to Cut Programs in Order to Dedicate Resources to Struggling Subgroups?

10. What is a Quality Education? Programs Such as Art, History, Music, Cultural Studies, Foreign Language, Vocational Education, Activities and Sports, School Counselors, Elementary Enrichment, Health, P.E. and Social Studies all stand to be reduced or eliminated if flat district resources are forced toward AYP (NCLB) compliance

11. Holding the Purse Strings: This Years Funding Outlook Governor’s Plan Deserves Consideration and General Support Will Help Offset PERS/TRS Increases, Increased Insurance and Energy Costs, and Provide Some Relief From the Loss in Purchasing Power Created by Several Years of Flat Funding Will Not Meet Adequacy Standard as Previously Defined

12. Local Legislative Delegation Senator Stedman and Representative Wilson Both Voiced Strong Support for Education During their Campaigns Past Performance indicates Future Support Ongoing Legislative Advocacy will be Employed by the Sitka School Board

13. Local Contribution School Boards Support Restoration of Municipal Revenue Sharing Strong Relationship Between Assembly and School Board expected to Continue

14. Federal Considerations The Board will Continue to Advocate for Full Funding of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act of 1975 40% Federal Contribution Promised, 16% Today The Board will Continue to Advocate for Funding at the Level Originally Promised for the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 The Cumulative Gap Between Authorized Levels and Actual Appropriations for NCLB since it’s passage total over $20 Billion

15. How Can the Chamber of Commerce and Its Members Help? Governmental Advocacy at the Local, State and Federal Levels Continued Support of Our Kids and Their Activities (We Thank You!) Continued Recognition of the Value of Strong Public Education in the Development of Economies and Communities

16. For Your Consideration – Education in the Chamber Legislative Agenda Sustained, Reliable and Adequate Funding for Alaska’s Students Through Non-Volatile Funding Sources Education Funding Formula Adequate to Bring All Alaska Students to Proficiency and Beyond Increased Federal Funding Commensurate with Federal Mandates Restoration of Municipal Revenue Sharing