Improve Education For Our Children

Hey Juneau! We know our schools are in trouble and need serious attention. The student population is down 25%, over 1400 students since 2000. As a result, per-student state funding has dropped almost $6 million, about 15% from the 2017 high. By ignoring these problems, they will only get worse. We must address them head-on and make real changes to improve education for our children.

The Problems Facing Juneau:

  • The School District budget is short $7,895,053 when balancing its budget.
  • State law requires school districts to balance budgets by June 30.
  • Juneau’s school enrollment is declining.
  • State revenue is tied to per-student numbers.

Some Questions Juneau Voters Need To Ask Themselves:

  • How will we balance our school budget this year?
  • How will we balance our school budget in five years?
  • How can we deliver a quality education to each student?
  • What other changes should we consider if Juneau is to grow and prosper?

The Problem Is Not New:

  • On June 14, 2017, consultants briefed the CBJ Assembly concerning school funding versus expenditure.
  • The consultant said the estimated fund gap based on projected enrollment in FY23 would be $7.4 – $11.3 million.
  • In FY24, the school district identified a budget shortfall of $7.9 million. Wow!
  • Consultants suggested a solution of reorganization and consolidation. 

Consultant graph showing projected CBJ school district fund gap vs expenditure.

Stay Informed On This Evolving Issues:

  • One way to stay informed on this evolving issue is to sign up for the Juneau School District’s updates.
  • “To receive these updates as soon as they are available, download the free Juneau Borough Schools App from the App Store or Google Play and follow “District.” (Feb. 20, 2024 JSC Budget Update.)