Fairbanks School Board adopts 2022-2023 district budget

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - The Fairbanks North Star Borough School Board has adopted a budget for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year.

The plan totals $238 million, including about $12 million in CARES Act money.

Some changes have been made since the board presented its recommended budget to the borough in April.

The assembly approved an additional $650,000 dollars in funding to the district, and one-time funding from the state is expected to add about $5 million.

Items changed include the addition of 14 teaching assistants for kindergarten, three added high school counselors, two teachers being reinstated at Hutchison, and two activity coordinators at Hutchison and Ben Eielson.

Chief School Administrator Karen Melin said, “I think we’re moving into the 22-23 school year in a really good place, both budgetarily, as far as what we’re funding now - it’s going to be a challenge next year. I think we need to be prepared for that - but also academically. I think we’re ready to launch into a new year. We’ll be focusing on those very basic skills of literacy.”

The approved budget will be submitted to the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, at which time it will be available to view on the school district’s webpage.

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