The Dillingham City Council and school district have been in the throes of budgeting for next fiscal year. Over almost hour of public testimony at the last city council meeting, people supported increasing the education budget from $1.4 to $1.7 million, but some city officials are concerned about funding other municipal projects.
As the school year nears its end, Dillingham School District is working to fill 17 jobs for this fall including seven teaching positions. But as it contends with a national teacher shortage, some community members are worried.
There are a lot of new faces in Dillingham's schools this year: 22 teachers and staff are new. The school is facing challenges like restructured schedules and a lack of housing for that new staff. But the second year of the school’s literacy grant program also starts this week, aimed at improving reading in the district. KDLG’s Izzy Ross spoke with Dillingham’s new superintendent, Amy Brower, about what students, parents and other community members can expect this year.