KMS NEWSLETTER
LETTER FROM KIBSD SUPERINTENDANT: BUDGET AND TIMELINE
December 11, 2025
Dear KIBSD Families and Kodiak Community,
As we prepare to head into the winter break, I want to share an important update about the financial
challenges facing our district and the difficult decisions ahead.
At the December 8 Board of Education Meeting, Kodiak Island Borough School District leadership
presented an overview of our current fiscal outlook. Like many districts across Alaska, KIBSD is
experiencing a significant budget crisis—one that requires us to rethink how we operate, how we use our resources, and how we ensure that we continue to engage and empower all students for growth and success.
Over the coming weeks, the Board of Education and district administration will continue working
through multiple budget scenarios. These conversations include the possibility of reductions across several areas. The Board takes this responsibility extremely seriously, and none of these potential decisions are made lightly. Our shared goal remains clear: protecting the classroom experience and maintaining high-quality learning opportunities for each of our students.
Timeline & Opportunities for Community Input
We want our community to be well-informed and engaged throughout this process. Over the next five weeks, the Board will hold additional meetings and work sessions dedicated specifically to the budget.
These meetings will be posted publicly and open for attendance. We will also provide online
opportunities for feedback so families and community members can share their thoughts and priorities.
To support transparency, we encourage you to visit our district’s Budget Information page at:
https://www.kibsd.org/budget-information/. This page will continue to be updated with presentations, data, timelines, and resources to help keep all stakeholders informed.
We recognize that news of potential cuts can create anxiety and uncertainty. Please know that district leadership and the Board are approaching this work with great care, diligence, and a deep commitment to our students and community. Your voice matters, and we appreciate your partnership during this difficult period.
Thank you for your continued support of our schools, our educators, and—most importantly—our
students. We will keep you updated as the process moves forward.
Warm regards,
Cyndy A. Mika, Superintendent
