Assembly approves $1.6 million for schools; max allowed under state law

The assembly on May 10 unanimously approved $1.617 million as the borough contribution to the school budget for the 2022-2023 academic year, more than $300,000 higher than this year's local funding level and at the maximum allowed under state law.

Everyone who spoke at the assembly meeting called on the assembly to appropriate more money for schools.

Schools Superintendent Bill Burr, School Board President David Wilson, teacher Tasha Morse, parent Kaelene Harrison and first grade teacher and parent Mikki Angerman were among those who testified in support of the larger borough contribution.

One after another, they cited diminished resources, culled arts programs and music classes, and a bare-bones approach to funding that can't meet student needs, including making it hard to recruit and retain paraprofessionals because the schools can't pay a living wage.

Harrison, who with Victor Sanoe Harrison has seven children, five in the school system, said the lack of offerings for her kids is making her reconsider if Wrangell is the best place for her family.

Harrison said it breaks her heart to see Wrangell's once thriving school system struggle, and that she's witnessed "a community die when schools shut down."

When she went to high school, she had seven classes of art to choose from. Her kids have one.

She asked the assembly, "What do you want your child's school to look like?"

Harrison said the funding they need are for the basics, not extras - but that's not enough. "We want our kids to make a difference," she said. By offering the bare minimum, "they're not going to come back to Wrangell."

Angerman said as a teacher for the past 10 years, she sees how thin they're stretched.

"I can also see it as a mom," she said. "My son loves the arts. He does great in reading, writing and math; but he loves the arts." Angerman said her husband talks about how wonderful Wrangell's schools used to be.

She, too, is considering leaving.

"Even though we don't want to, we may have to move," Angerman said. "How do we attract people from homeschooling when we can't offer them anything? We need help."

Wilson said planning for the future takes resources and commitment. He said students are helping to write grants to bring in money.

"We need an infusion of funds," Wilson said.

Morse, who conducted the spring concert on May 12, said students need creative outlets. She gave up teaching jazz to teach art.

"We're not looking for a raise. I'm looking out for my kids that love music, art and shop. I want my children to have the best education," she said.

Fifth grade teacher Laurie Hagelman said if things remain as they are, there is "no viable way we can provide teaching. Our enrollment has gone down. We are down 34 students. When we cut teaching positions, we cut programs."

Mayor Steve Prysunka during assembly discussion said his confidence in committing more to school funding has increased. "For the first time in six years, I felt like I had a good understanding of where the schools are at," he said.

The school district had requested $1.592 million in borough funds for the next school year; the assembly, on a motion by Jim DeBord, boosted that to $1.617 million. State law sets a minimum and maximum formula for local contributions to school budgets in an effort to prevent too much inequity between communities.

Of the borough contribution, $741,489 is from sales tax receipts and $876,140 will come from the federal Secure Rural Schools fund, Borough Manager Jeff Good said Monday.

Assemblymember Bob Dalrymple seconded the motion at $1.617 million. "I've been quite dejected at the budget process at the state until this year," he said. "There are a lot of people that don't have a shared sense that education is important."