Legislature Approves $105.1 Million for School Construction and Renovations.

• Author: KANE, ROGER
• Position: In Alaska

Federal Government Accounting Office statistics indicate conditions in Alaska's 497 schools are appalling. The GAO found 45 percent of Alaska's schools were in need of replacement or extensive repair and 69 percent needed extensive repair to at least one major feature, such as a roof or foundation.

The GAO estimates the cost of modernizing Alaska's schools at $900 million.

Addressing these concerns in January 2000, Gov. Tony Knowles established a plan for the construction of 69 schools and the completion of 86 major maintenance projects. The ambitious plan would have provided $510 million over the next three years, which included $360 million in grants and $150 million in authorization for debt maintenance.

However, Knowles was forced to pare down the plan and announced in February of this year a $127 million plan to fund the top four school construction projects and the top 46 major maintenance projects on the state's priority list.

That wish list was whittled down by the Legislature and $105.1 million was appropriated for school construction and major maintenance. School districts will provide $7.45 million to complete their projects.

New Schools Funded

The Legislature approved just over $76 million for new school construction in fiscal year 2002, which began July 1.

New schools will be constructed in Golovin, Kiana, Koynk and Togiak. Planning funds only were appropriated for Tuluksak; construction funds are expected to be funded by the Legislature in a future budget appropriation.

The third phase of reconstruction at the school in Golovin will cost an estimated $10.1 million. The state awarded the Bering Strait School District $9.9 million to finish the project, while the district will have to foot the bill for the remaining $201,800.

Kiana will receive $13.5 million through the school bond reimbursement program for a K-12 replacement, which means the Northwest Arctic School District will need to raise $1.5 million to construct its new school.

It will cost about $11.9 million to replace the K-12 school in Koyuk The state came up with $11.2 million, requiring the Bering Strait School District to foot the bill for the remaining $237,966.

Replacing the Togiak school will cost an estimated $29.8 million. The Southwest Region School District received $29.2 million from the state and must come up with the remaining $595,554.

The Yupiit School District requested $20.1 million for a new school and so far was instead awarded $768,850 for planning...