Empire Archives is a series printed every Saturday featuring a short compilation of headline stories in the Juneau Empire from archived editions in 1984, 1994 and 2004.
This week in 1984, the deadline has passed and the bad news is in — the Juneau School District is short 100 students from its anticipated enrollment and that translates into a budget shortfall of $400,000. Earlier this year the district had a shortfall of some 50 students from its anticipated enrollment of 4,600, but officials still expected to reach full enrollment by Nov. 2. Under the current state funding formula, each school district is paid a set amount per student, based on enrollment at the end of the school’s first quarter. In Juneau, Nov. 2 is the end of the first quarter and each student enrolled on that date means $3,800 for the district from the state. The loss of more than 50 students since late September is common because of dropouts and families moving from Juneau, a district spokesperson said.
Today a consistent decline in student enrollment since it hit a peak of 5,701 students in 1999 is a foremost concern of the district. Total enrollment has dropped to roughly 4,000 students and is projected to potentially drop below 3,000 a decade from now. In addition, the state’s per-student funding formula has remained relatively flat for the past decade, further eroding the amount of inflation-adjusted funds available to the district.
Original Story: “Enrollment dips; schools may face $400,000 crunch,” by Betsy Longenbaugh. 11/19/1984.
This week in 1994, Jim Campbell refused Sunday to concede defeat to Gov.-elect Tony Knowles, saying he will request a recount and challenge various incentives that rewarded voters with free gasoline and raffle tickets. Knowles declared victory a day earlier after nearly complete election results gave him a winning margin of 528 votes. “It’s one of my biggest margins ever,” said Knowles, whose political career in Anchorage city government, including two terms as mayor, was known for razor-thin triumphs. But Campbell said he’s not convinced the margin will hold up. “I need to ensure my supporters that we’ve done everything we can to make sure this election was correct,” Campbell said at a news conference Saturday.
Ultimately, Knowles’ victory was certified and he went on to serve two terms as governor. Today another election resulting in a razor-thin win is facing a challenge — and accusations of improprieties — as a ballot proposition to repeal ranked choice voting and open primaries was defeated by 664 votes, or a margin of 0.2%. The measure was ahead on Election Night, but the gap was narrowed and then eliminated as additional mailed and other late-arriving ballots were tallied.
Original Story: “Knowles declares a win,” by David McCormick, The Associated Press. 11/20/1994.
This week in 2004, Juneau’s golf enthusiasts are one hole closer to playing on a standard 18-hole course. At its meeting Monday evening, the Assembly Lands Committee recommended the Juneau Assembly approve a lease with Totem Creek, a nonprofit organized to construct a standard golf course in town. The Juneau Planning Commission will review the lease next Tuesday. The Assembly is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the project Jan. 10. The lease will allow Totem Creek to develop 274 acres of lands on the west side of Douglas Island near Peterson Creek. The lease also will allow the corporation to purchase 300 city-owned acres for a possible housing development. To minimize the project’s environmental effects, the lease requires the developer to follow 47 conditions stipulated in the permit. The conditions range from site grading, erosion control, wildlife and habitat management and pest control. The city also will designate 263 acres of land along Peterson Creek as a watershed protection area. The lease will run 35 years, with an option to renew for another 20 years.
Today there is still no 18-hole golf course and no serious discussion of building one. However, full-scale development in North Douglas is being envisioned with a second crossing to the island from Juneau, a gondola and other year-round tourism activities at Eaglecrest Ski Area, and a private floating cruise ship dock on the west side of the island.
Original Story: “Panel: Thumbs up to lease for 18-hole course,” by I-Chun Che. 11/23/2004.
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at mark.sabbatini@juneauempire.com or (907) 957-2306.
