KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
The Kodiak Island Borough School District is currently weighing its options on how best to use roughly 90-thousand dollars in construction funds it has received through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. KMXT’s Erik Wander has more.
The stimulus money comes to the district via the federal recovery act’s Impact Aid Program and comes with very strict guidelines on how it may be used. Speaking at the school board’s work session Monday, Superintendent Steward McDonald said the funding is a one-time award.
— (McDonald 1 20 sec. "Initially, we saw some news … then expending those funds.")
McDonald said the district has three options for how it can spend those funds.
— (McDonald 2 35 sec. "One of those options is … high school if that opens up.")
Responding to a question about whether the money could potentially be used for parking lot paving, McDonald said it’s unclear, but that there is a list of what the funds cannot be spent on. He said that list includes renovating any part of school facilities for which a gate fee is charged.
— (McDonald 3 23 sec. "We can’t use it for your gymnasium … particular project.")
McDonald said that after determining exactly what the funding can and can’t be used for, the next step is determining how it can best serve the educational needs and goals of the school district.
— (McDonald 4 10 sec. "We’re pretty sure what we … and make a decision.")
Luke Fulp, director of finance for the school district, said the funding must be spent by September 30th, and that the district therefore needs to act quickly with the decision-making process. McDonald told board members that further discussion will take place this week and the district will have more answers at next Monday’s regular meeting.
I’m Erik Wander.
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