A show of hands for the arts. Superintendent Mary Wegner asked the 100-plus people at the hearing how many supported continued funding of the Performing Arts Center, but did NOT plan to speak. 78 raised their hands (KCAW photo/Robert Woolsey)
Over 100 Sitkans turned out Wednesday night (2-22-18) for the first public hearing on the Sitka School District budget for next year.
All were concerned about one issue: The Sitka Performing Arts Center.
The scene was almost a duplicate of last year, when Sitka students and their parents packed the high school library to express their support for the arts, and to stress the significance of the Performing Arts Center in contributing to the well-being and academic achievement of everyone enrolled in the district.
The main difference from last year is that the Performing Arts Center — or the PAC — is slightly more expensive to operate than in the past, and the district is looking at a $2.3 million budget gap with no obvious answers.
Nevertheless, although the PAC operates at a loss of $195,000 ($235,000 in expense minus $40,000 in revenue), the loss is only a fraction of what the district will have to make up to balance the budget next year.
The 23 people who testified were unanimous that the social and educational benefits of the PAC outweighed the costs of running it.
Here’s a few minutes of what their testimony sounded like:
Hello my name is Anders Marius, I’m a senior at Sitka High School, I’m also speaking in support of the PAC this evening. I moved to Sitka three years ago because my mother is in the Coast Guard. One of the big things that brough my mother here, as opposed to Kodiak or some other Coast Guard base was the strong performing arts tradition of Sitka…
Hello, my name is Zeke Blackwell, I’m here to speak in support of the Performing Arts Center. When I moved here I came to Sitka sight unseen and did not know what I was getting into. I moved here from New York City, and I found myself on an isolated island in Alaska, and I felt lost and confused and unsure of what was going to happen, and how long I would be here. And within the first week touring around town, I found myself in the Performing Arts Center, and I was blown away immediately, walking in the doors. Seeing a space like this completely changed my mind about what kind of town I had moved to.
Hi, my name’s Keith Greinier. I grew up here in Sitka, Alaska, and went through the Sitka School District. Extracurriculars weren’t really an option in my family, there wasn’t a lot of money in my family for that sort of stuff. I wasn’t involved in any programs going through elementary school, going through middle school. And it took me a long time to get involved in high school. Really, what changed my life was the construction of the PAC and the theater program that followed. I did a play onstage and still today I can remember going through bows and standing there with all my really close friends I grew up with and really for once feeling involved, feeling like I belonged to something here in Sitka. I was able to continue with my life, being someone with low grades, and I got into a trade school and interviewed for a union apprenticeship — all that accomplishment I attribute to my time spent at the PAC. And I’d really like to see this building remain open for other kids like me.
Hi, my name is Sarah Frank. I’m the music teacher at Blatchley Middle School. Music has always been my home, and it’s my goal that it’s the home for every single student as well. And this extension of the PAC, of the school music experience, is something that I hope our students will hold dear forever. I know you’re in a difficult position making difficult choices, and I hope that you’ll consider this an integral part of our students’ human experience.
My name is Susan Brant-Ferguson. I have had many years of teaching music successfully to children without the PAC, but I saw a difference when we had it. It’s an extension of the classroom that an elementary gym can’t do. When you perform on the Performing Arts Center stage you can’t help but feel valued. Don’t pawn the family jewels. Thank you. (audience laughs)
Those were the voices of Anders Marius, Zeke Blackwell, Keith Greinier, Sarah Frank, and Susan Brant-Ferguson — 5 of the 23 students, teachers, parents, and community members who testified in support of the continued funding of Sitka’s Performing Arts Center.
All members of the Sitka School Board expressed appreciation for the input on the PAC. Cass Pook said “you brought to life what happens there.” Eric VanCise said the PAC was just one piece of “a very large puzzle.” Dionne Brady-Howard urged the audience to take this same energy to the legislature, which has the greatest stake in school funding in the state. “Government doesn’t happen without advocacy,” she said.
Board president Jenn McNichol echoed that sentiment, and assured the public that board was not cutting funding for anything just yet.
“There is no chopping block. There are considerations in how we need to balance the budget. And balancing the budget is our legal requirement. And we have no means to generate revenue.”
She also urged those in attendance to “keep your horizons broad” and speak out in support of “everything you believe in, in this town.”
