As leadership at JSD changes, its chief financial officer is leaving too

Nico Herbert's last contracted day is Aug. 5 with the Juneau School District

Nicole "Nico" Herbert works during a Juneau Board of Education meeting at Thunder Mountain Middle School on March 10, 2026. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Independent file photo)

By Jasz Garrett

Juneau Independent

Nicole "Nico" Herbert, who has been the Juneau School District's chief financial officer for more than a year, is resigning to begin a new job she chose not to disclose on Thursday.

Herbert, in a message to the Independent, confirmed she is leaving the district with her last day slated for Aug. 5.

"I did want to clarify the rumor," she wrote, declining an interview. "I am leaving the Juneau School District, but not to accept a position at the University of Alaska Southeast."

Herbert said at this time she is not providing additional comment regarding her resignation "in order to respect the notification process for both the Juneau School District and my new employer."

The district began accepting applications to replace Herbert on Thursday. Applications are open until July 17.

She began her role at JSD following its major budget crisis of an $8 million deficit, which was partially a result of accounting errors. Before Herbert was hired, the district temporarily hired Lisa Pearce, who found the 2024 budget overestimated revenues by $5 million and underestimated expenses by about $2 million.

The district's financial situation has improved since then, partially due to funding increases passed by legislators the past two years and a school consolidation plan implemented by the district.

The school board approved an operating budget of about $82 million for this fiscal year that started July 1. It contained a deficit of more than $5 million that could, if necessary, be covered by a district savings account projected to be $7.8 million.

But an education funding increase subsequently passed by the Alaska Legislature is expected to narrow the deficit significantly, although exactly how much extra state funding will be provided will depend in part on oil prices since a portion of the money is classified as energy relief. The fiscal year 2027 operating budget includes approximately $115 million in one-time statewide K–12 funding, which equates to roughly a $458 Base Student Allocation equivalent.

"Based on current discussions, whether the full amount is ultimately available will depend largely on oil revenues and overall state revenues through the summer, with a final determination expected by August 31," a superintendent report from June 9 states.

Leadership at the district is undergoing major changes this summer with most of its top administrators and principal positions. Superintendent Frank Hauser's last day was Tuesday, with former Thunder Mountain Middle School principal Shawn Arnold starting on Wednesday. Assistant Superintendent Sheila Armstrong also began Wednesday in a newly created position after JSD Chief of Staff Kristin Bartlett retired.

• Contact Jasz Garrett at jasz@juneauindependent.com or (907) 723-9356.