The end of federal pandemic assistance and years of flat state funding have hurt the school district’s ability to cover its costs. The borough assembly has stepped up for the second year in a row to help close the budget gap.

At its meeting April 25, the assembly unanimously approved a $1.6 million contribution to Wrangell Public Schools, which is the amount Superintendent Bill Burr said the district needs to essentially balance its budget.

The assembly approved$700,000 from sales tax funds and $900,000 from the federal Secure Rural Schools fund.

Along with borough, state and federal fun...