The Billy Zane Model of State Funding: Sitka (AK)

Resources!

Budget/governance issues from Spring 2026

• FY24 audit flags enrollment overestimate
• Whoops, mistaken carryover cuts into fund balance
• FY27 budget projects a $2m deficit
• A spreadsheet error (budgeting in Excel) adds 800k to deficit.
• Two of five board members resign May 2026
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State Funding Stuff

• Technical overview
• Citizen's guide
• The state Permanent Fund
• Permanent Fund's ERA running low?
• Political battle about funding dividends or services
• Alaska Municipal Bond Bank Authority (AMBBA)

Secure Rural Schools Funding

• Sitka Assembly gives schools 100% of retroactive payments
• SRS lapse and restoration coverage

Thank yous!

• Soumya Dhulekar for the artwork!
• Carsie Blanton for the music!
• Gabbie Costanzo for the additional research!

Got a budget worth a closer look? Send us a district, a ballot question, or a board meeting and we’ll dig in.