FNSBSD: Press Release - Board of Education Approves School District Budget | June 29, 2022

Date: June 29, 2022

Subject: Board of Education Approves School District Budget

FAIRBANKS - The Fairbanks North Star Borough Board of Education adopted the approved budget for the 2022-23 school year on Monday, June 27, 2022. The goal of the 2022-23 budget is to provide quality services to students within the context of significantly decreased revenue. 

The approved budget totals $238,196,033, which includes an operating fund of $183,747,240, and CARES II/III expenditures of $12,078,601. The approved budget represents a decrease of approximately $7.4 million or 3.9 percent less than the district’s 2021-22 approved budget.

Revenue increases include an additional contribution of $650,000 from the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly and one-time funding from the State of Alaska, estimated at $5 million. The District thanks the Borough Mayor and Assembly for additional local funding and members of our local delegation in Juneau who advocated for supplemental state funding.

Approved adjustments from the recommended budget include additional funding allocations for: five paid work days to ESSA (support staff) school-term employees, 14 kindergarten teaching assistants, and student activities. Adjusted CARES expenditures include the addition of three high school counselors, two reinstated teachers at Hutchison, and two part-time activity coordinators at Ben Eielson and Hutchison. A one-time $1000 payment to Fairbanks Principal Association members and non-represented staff was also approved.

Chief Operations Officer Andy DeGraw stated, “Overall, we are very pleased with the budget passed by the Board. We are confident that it maximizes the limited resources available and will provide the best possible education, learning environment, and services to students, staff, and our community.” The Board worked hard to navigate the budget process to ensure students and staff are supported while effectively stewarding human and financial resources.

District administration will submit the final approved budget to Alaska Department of Education & Early Development in mid July. The 2022-23 Approved Budget book will be available for viewing online at www.k12northstar.org/budget at that time.

For more information, please contact: Joshua DuVall, Director of Communications, (907) 452-2000 ext.11438, or joshua.duvall@k12northstar.org.