Mat-Su Borough School District to discuss proposed cuts

When the Mat-Su Borough School District submitted its budget for the next fiscal year, it did so expecting a $700 increase to the Base Student Allocation or BSA. However, due to Governor Dunleavy’s line-item vetoes, the BSA is set to only increase by $500, leaving the district with $7 million less than they budgeted for.

Mat-Su Borough School District Public Information Officer John Notestine said the dramatic decrease in funding means the district will have to cut costs. Notestine said, as of now, the district has several proposed cuts that will be discussed at the next school board meeting.

These cuts include reducing school and department budgets by around $500,000 district-wide, staff cuts, and reducing co-curricular activity budgets by over 15%.

Notestine also said fees for participation in secondary activities will increase. Beginning July 1st, Middle School activity fees will increase from $100 to $120, and High School activity fees will increase from $250 to $300.

Notestine added that the proposed cuts include changes to transportation. He said the changes may increase ride time for some students, but will not decrease route coverage.

Notestine said there may be further cuts to address the lack of funding, but the School Board will discuss them at their next meeting in August.

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