Peninsula residents will have the opportunity to learn more about the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s budget process during a series of public meetings being held this month.

In the communities of Homer, Kenai and Seward, district finance staff will provide an overview of district finances and give an opportunity for community members to offer their thoughts. The meetings will come as the school district works to craft a balanced budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which must be submitted to the Kenai Peninsula Borough.

Between now and when the district budget is sent to the borough, the district is working to fill an anticipated $13.1 million budget shortfall, which it plans to partially offset using federal COVID-19 relief funds and unassigned fund balance. The district is also among the groups lobbying the Legislature for an increase to the amount of money school districts receive from the state per student.

Budget meetings will be held at 6 p.m. at the Homer High School Library on Tuesday, Feb. 14; at the Kenai Central High School Library on Wednesday, Feb. 15; and at the Seward High School Library on Wednesday, Feb. 22. The Feb. 15 meeting will also be streamed live via Zoom and can be accessed at kpbsd.zoom.us/j/85468315138.

More information about the school district’s budget process, including current and past budget documents, can be found on KPBSD’s finance webpage.

Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.