Committee reviews revised reduction‑in‑force plan as staff lays out enrollment decline and repayment scenarios

The Ketchikan Gateway Borough finance committee on Feb. 16 spent significant time reviewing a revised reduction‑in‑force (RIF) plan and asked staff for clear scenarios showing how different borough repayment terms would affect staffing.

Tim Peterson, the district’s HR director, explained that a RIF plan is statutorily considered when enrollment or finances decline. "Over the last 5 years, we've lost 248 students," Peterson said, and noted that the district’s current pupil‑teacher ratio is roughly 13.5. He said that if staffing were adjusted strictly in line with the decline, "that would be 18 teachers," illustrating the scale of potential reductions if cuts were required.

Committee members pressed staff for comparative fiscal scenarios tied to repayment options the borough might offer. Staff said a three‑year repayment option would amount to roughly $2,000,000 per year in this model and discussed alternative structures that sequence interest payments first to lower immediate principal demands. The interim superintendent told the committee a RIF draft would be available for board consideration and recommended placing it on the agenda for consideration at the board meeting, with the understanding members could add an addendum as new information arrives.

Members emphasized statutory and board‑policy constraints on where cuts can fall. One committee member noted statutory language requiring an adopted plan to identify academic and other programs the district intends to maintain; staff pointed to board policy specifying required credits (for example, English and math), meaning cuts would most likely affect electives and supplemental programs rather than core graduation requirements.

The committee asked staff to prepare scenarios that show how a three‑year versus five‑year repayment plan would change staffing outcomes, particularly the point at which reductions would move from non‑tenured to tenured employees. Staff also noted collective bargaining agreements and other open negotiations could materially change any estimates.

The committee agreed to place the revised RIF plan on the board agenda if the previously raised concerns had been addressed; the board can amend or reject the draft after the upcoming work session.