At the Nome Public School Board work session Tuesday night, Superintendent Shawn Arnold started the long conversation surrounding budget cuts for the 2018 fiscal year.
Saved for last on the agenda, Arnold talked to the board about the need to cut the budget. In 2018, Alaska’s governor estimates Nome Public Schools (NPS) will be given 14.4 million dollars in state funding. According to current expenditures, present costs would result in a deficit of more than $1 million. The first conversation Arnold had about the budget cuts was with NPS staff. He asked what teachers couldn’t do without. “We need transportation. Free breakfast and lunch program. We need that. Science teachers. We can’t do without science teachers. What are the non-negotiables?”
Knowing the region, he added that running the district on a deficit was not an option. Admitting this was no easy task, Arnold came prepared with a list of possible cuts.
These cuts included not buying fuel in bulk, not hiring to fill a non-teacher position after someone quits, and ceasing to employ summer staff. Nome Public Schools currently has thirteen staff members who work over the summer. Compared to other rural school districts, this is unusual. To make cuts like this easier, Arnold suggested the creation of a committee.
The suggested committee would have two board members, two parents, two teachers, community members, and “maybe a few more to kind of look at… take a closer look at the budget and make suggestions.”
The secondary reading list started a lengthy presentation and discussion between board members. A presentation made during the meeting outlined some current changes made to the list. As of the new school year, students will be reading a book that meets the Alaska culture standards once a year, every year, for grades 7-12. A committee that oversaw the creation of the book list also eliminated some of the more controversial picks.
The secondary reading list also incited a citizen comment. Nome resident Angela Hansen voiced discontent for the dystopian and graphic themes she says consistently show up in some of the choices. Her suggestion was to add more books that are positive or uplifting.
The next school board meeting is at 5:30 pm February 21st in the Nome Elementary School library.
