Valdez school board asks city for $15.1 million, a 29% increase over this year

The Valdez City Schools Board of Education voted 6-0 Monday to ask the City of Valdez for $15,078,864 for the 2028 fiscal year, 28.69% more than the $11,717,492 the city provides this year, according to the board's packet. It is the largest one-year increase in the district's city funding history, which goes back to fiscal 2009.

Superintendent Jason Weber attributed the jump to a higher 2027 "Assessed Full Value Determination" by the state commerce department. The district's figures put that value at $4.46 billion, up 56% from about $2.85 billion, and project the statutory cap on city school funding rising from $9.7 million to $13.1 million. Nearly all of the roughly $3.4 million increase goes to the district's operating fund, which the request funds at close to the cap. Funding for lunch, transportation, community education and activities stays flat.

With enrollment projected to dip from 559 to 546 students, city funding per student would rise from about $20,960 to about $27,620.

The Valdez City Council decides whether to fund the request. The city manager's 2027 budget overview, presented to the council Oct. 8, includes the full amount. It forecasts property tax revenue rising 40%, to about $78 million, on higher oil and gas property values.

Board member Kathy Todd asked whether the city could have to repay taxes collected from Alyeska if the company wins its pending court case. Weber said the money under discussion would not be affected, according to the minutes.

Weber's memo notes that the state school board and education department are still discussing whether to count all local funding under the cap.