Mayor pledges to keep schools open in July

May 21, 2006

By DARRELL L. BREESE

Frontiersman

WASILLA - Troubled by the Mat-Su Borough School District's plan to close schools during the month of July, mayor Tim Anderson pledged to find a way to keep them open.

&#8220Governing is not always about saving money,”

Anderson said during Thursday's public hearing to discuss the borough's operating budget. &#8220Sometimes you have to make the tough choice and do what is in the best interest of the community. I believe that this is one of those times.”

The school district announced earlier this month that the schools and administration offices would be closed during July as a cost-saving measure. That announcement locked out several youth camps, sports programs and churches, which regularly use the schools during the summer months.

&#8220There are several user groups who regularly use the schools and pay rent for that use,” Anderson continued. &#8220It would be a shame to lock them out. I believe there is a way that the borough, which owns the buildings, can keep them open to allow the groups to continue using the facilities.”

In order for Anderson's plan to go forward, he'll need to find the funding necessary to cover the cost of managing the buildings and pay for the utilities.

&#8220I'll find a way to fund it,” Anderson said. &#8220I'm sure the user fees will cover part of the expenses, but I'll ask the assembly to find the funds somewhere in the budget to keep the buildings open. Even if I have to ask for it to come out of the school district's budget.”

Anderson went on to ask Ron Rucker, president of the recently laid-off Classified Employees Association employees union, if his workers would be willing to work with the borough if he could find a way to keep the school open.

&#8220That's all the people I represent want to do,” Rucker said. &#8220We're not fighting for a handout, they just want a job.”

School district spokeswoman Kim Floyd said she doesn't believe the mayor's plan is feasible.

&#8220Unless they're willing to commit resources above and beyond our proposed budget, opening the schools for July is not a possibility,” Floyd said. &#8220The rental fees charged for facility use barely put a dent into the daily operating cost of a school, and just cover paying for the staff required to unlock the doors.”

According to Floyd, the daily cost for utilities at Teeland Middle School is $535, not including supplies such as paper for the restrooms.

&#8220I would think that the assembly has enough to manage in maintaining roads, planning, construction and economic development,” Floyd added. &#8220Why are they trying to manage what the school board was elected to do?”

Anderson pledged to introduce an amendment to the borough's budget for assembly consideration during a special meeting Tuesday.

&#8220This is an issue important to the community, and I hope to find a way to find a resolution that will meet with approval by the assembly,” Anderson concluded.

Contact Darrell L. Breese at 352-2267 or at darrell.breese @frontiersman.com.