[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6622108,"mediaKeyId","2793058-f823fa49d8e2cbe482865b0c553782cd","parentId",2793058,"title","Tongass students present Ocean Guardian project; Kanayama exchange visitors thanked the board","audioSeconds",609,"startMs",1890000,"endMs",2499000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2793058-f823fa49d8e2cbe482865b0c553782cd&start=1890&end=2499","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2793058-f823fa49d8e2cbe482865b0c553782cd/thumbnail_1890000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6622108/Ketchikan-Gateway-Borough/Alaska/Tongass-students-present-Ocean-Guardian-project-Kanayama-exchange-visitors-thanked-the-board","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622108-d9805ab1ab29a27c4a02ee5c53cf48ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1770498191&Signature=U6rxTzhcpNGA315jBEPR9LoxEY~A5p55y5YBBjPJczCK4klzCtKUdAypioGNgH2lqbgTiRNebhcLpW4HLuulYRwryjHege5kBV3YToULYs0upHOWlq5mYK4hKTMoplvGKU7BAkcl~aIodlP-T5d2NEsdC-LvsMu4Mugqgop8nBFLkRlM0HNYNipZgzvTTdc~NI5U-lEZaQGY5xiA-S3E5OdJyA5g4S1Z34zUXJ4y9-c1tRm-CpDYf74CS-OKuTSP1sp39PhHLMX8ezewwfXXnUze3QCnHbUlZJ9K9vPT2ymJlUSmvsjLu8X04E6C6vA~NYapDx1lGrKt-KFwVujaBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Ketchikan Gateway Borough","date","2025-03-26T00:00:00Z","article","KETCHIKAN, Alaska ' Tongass School of Arts and Sciences students presented elements of their Ocean Guardian School program to the school board on March 26, describing reusable shopping and swim bags they designed, beach clean-up stations with tethered buckets and tongs, and student-built signposts to hold equipment.

The presentation highlighted student-led stewardship projects. \"Students have designed reusable shopping bags,\" teacher Donna (identified in the presentation) said, and the newest winning design features the slogan \"less ocean, less ocean trash, more marine life.\" Teacher Mr. Schultz described a student enrichment group that built posts and prepared stickers and buckets to be placed at three beach locations (Rotary Beach and South Point Higgins were noted in the slides) to make it easier for families to participate in cleanups.

Visiting students from Kanayama, Japan, thanked the board and said the exchange deepened their appreciation for Ketchikan. \"I came to Ketchikan and learned a lot about the differences from Japan,\" student Yui said. The group included chaperones Mahiro Toyama and Rieko, who spoke about the long-running exchange and the challenges of visas this year.

Why it matters: The Ocean Guardian designation recognizes school curriculum and projects focused on local watershed protection and marine stewardship. Tongass officials said they are the first Ocean Guardian School in Ketchikan and that the program aligns with the school's emphasis on stewardship of air, land and sea.

Student work and local impact: Presenters said students have emphasized reducing single-use plastics and reusing utensils and bags; they cited cleanup quantities collected informally during the current year and noted plans to sell student-designed bags at upcoming school events. The project includes ongoing collaboration across grade levels and aims to increase community visibility of student stewardship.

Voices on the record: Mika, Yui, Kota and Todie (students), Mahiro Toyama (exchange chaperone), Rieko (chaperone), Mr. Schultz and Mrs. Raul Wolf (Tongass teachers). The Ocean Guardian presentation began at transcript time ~31:30 and concluded before the public comment section began.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ketchikan Gateway Borough - School Board - Mar 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Students at the Tongass School of Arts and Sciences presented their Ocean Guardian School work ' including reusable bag designs and beach cleanup stations ' and visiting exchange students from Kanayama, Japan, and their chaperones addressed the board.","taxTitle","Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska","taxId",27492,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6622113,"Votes at a glance: Ketchikan board approves reduction-in-force plan, hires AASB for superintendent search, and advances policy updates",0,10148000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2793058-f823fa49d8e2cbe482865b0c553782cd&start=10148&end=10148","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2793058-f823fa49d8e2cbe482865b0c553782cd/thumbnail_10148000.jpg","/articles/6622113/Ketchikan-Gateway-Borough/Alaska/Votes-at-a-glance-Ketchikan-board-approves-reduction-in-force-plan-hires-AASB-for-superintendent-search-and-advances-policy-updates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622113-ecf4ac9bbeb7fa0006dd315ac07277f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770498191&Signature=Q4qIY758XsKiYMjWpFi1ymyxzzcRfz3NkOMiNKKmABeWU6y-3~64ENGOiLTD4USoZ4HSD3jd6k3n-ulEvUm3QAEvzlA3aWS8aVPL4BS9bBD6UjXMLJFIo0TUjiucJQnFR-B5F2HQ~CUHbzTeLRhCnBg6s~a7FxkMeGQUyCNapgkKpl7iijf1-ZP17psBe4cbGP9FBQFfmyDlNTP2XBBmM~tuH4WGWio891Zc9DBWL1-iL7-zURW1-vKB99HJ~4Vx7CsPArw85~Zapj7d4JLX-CZ3xzHPMCLw9xRUBefSDDwiP672NmVM9HvUK60kdvn-ygSz-Feo-q5fBJ9-gCgcFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","KETCHIKAN, Alaska ' The Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District Board of Education took a series of formal actions at its March 26 meeting as it works to close a multi-million-dollar budget shortfall. Key votes and outcomes are listed below.

Votes at a glance

- Reduction in Force plan: The board approved a district reduction-in-force (RIF) plan intended to provide an actionable procedure if further budget cuts are required. Motion to approve the RIF plan passed 5'0to'0. Roll call recorded: Jordan Tabb, Tom Hewitt, Ally Ginter, (last name recorded as) Guthrie, and Catherine Tatsuta voting yes. The motion was presented as an insurance policy to respond to possible future funding changes.

- Acceptance of resignation: The board voted to accept the resignation of Board President Michelle O'Brien, declaring that seat vacant. The motion passed 5'0to'0.

- Superintendent search contract: The board approved a contract with the Association of Alaska School Boards (AASB) to conduct a nationwide superintendent search at a base fee of $14,790 plus reimbursable expenses (travel, lodging, meals). The vote passed 5'0to'0. AASB explained its four-step process for board input, candidate recruitment (including the RABELAS national database), background checks and community interview phases.

- Technology leasing authorization: The board authorized an additional three-year lease agreement with American Capital Finance for virtual infrastructure (VMware) software and services, for an amount not to exceed $55,000 for FY 2024''25 and $165,000 over the three-year lease term (figures stated in the motion). Vote passed 5'0to'0.

- Policies advanced in first reading: The board approved first readings of several revised district policies related to volunteers, withholding transcripts/grades, bus conduct, theft/graffiti, at-risk youth, and lost or damaged instructional materials. Each revision passed in first reading by recorded votes that were unanimous (5'0to'0).

How board members voted (roll-call excerpts recorded in the meeting minutes): Jordan Tabb (yes), Tom Hewitt (yes), Ally Ginter (yes), (member listed) Guthrie (yes), and Catherine Tatsuta (yes). The meeting transcript shows no recorded \"no\" votes on the formal items listed above.

Context and next steps: District staff said the RIF document is a contingency instrument to be used only if funding from the state or borough falls short of projections; final programmatic decisions remain subject to board direction during the budget process. Board members asked staff to prepare comparative, line-item budget scenarios for the board and public before a final FY26 adoption deadline.

Documentation and provenance: The formal motions and roll calls appear in the March 26 transcript and in the board packet; AASB staff participated by video conference to outline the search timeline and community-survey steps. The board noted that some figures remain dependent on health-care cost projections and possible borough funding adjustments.

If the board is asked to take immediate action on further cuts, members said they expect to return to the RIF and budget documents already approved as the legal and procedural framework for any personnel reductions.","At its March 26 meeting the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District board approved a district reduction-in-force plan, accepted a board resignation, contracted the Association of Alaska School Boards for a superintendent search, authorized a three-year lease for virtualization software, and advanced multiple policy revisions in first reading.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6622117,"Public backlash over school restructuring and landslide safety dominates Ketchikan school board meeting",4436,2517000,6953000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2793058-f823fa49d8e2cbe482865b0c553782cd&start=2517&end=6953","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2793058-f823fa49d8e2cbe482865b0c553782cd/thumbnail_2517000.jpg","/articles/6622117/Ketchikan-Gateway-Borough/Alaska/Public-backlash-over-school-restructuring-and-landslide-safety-dominates-Ketchikan-school-board-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6622117-521883905d0ebd4a3aa8bbd4adeff478/orig.mp4?Expires=1770498191&Signature=hZjipQ8z2I5UMBpnGnC64h~SmhO-KOmSNBL4jVeXhyVCSVZtlaI17m05lHeVC4Qui9y5TNSX7ps68UdkzbmiuZpKWjVIkRrL9RiwEQof9O7mbL-KDJOZ691sIxi78eBcGhA8h1rZQ7ZBy~PUJOqC2MbDqqPjSzUjWj7h2E6E-FXs0DLYn-DOrAv1fLtV5g0TDI8Mq~qPrKNNfITJSqUOcQd6Lc6FaSkhjOXFcI0BUQAB-Wx8q7-P0tVDRPndSoBk-kvV2IuYUHDqjYFT1VnafN8DWbFUcQ2bI01zE1X6Sy6XPZfDhpTgr2CYhYU5~l35cBO6ynYcGA1DVxJAaNwx5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","KETCHIKAN, Alaska ' At a packed Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District board meeting on March 26, dozens of parents, staff and students urged the board to pause or abandon a proposed district \"specialization\" (restructuring) plan, saying it risks separating young children from families and worsens safety and transportation problems highlighted by a recent landslide.

The public-comment period stretched more than two hours and included appeals from parents of special-needs students, elementary children pleading to keep their neighborhood schools, and teachers who said alternative plans could preserve local campuses and save comparable money. \"Please don't take away my school. I am a dolphin,\" said Leo Perry, identified as a second-grade student at Houghton, drawing applause.

The meeting occurred amid leadership turnover and community tension. The board accepted the written resignation of Board President Michelle O'Brien earlier this month; board members said they will fill that vacancy by appointment. Several speakers also referenced the recent resignation of Superintendent Robbins and said the district should not force major structural change while leadership is in flux.

Why it matters: Speakers emphasized that Ketchikan's geography and transportation vulnerabilities make neighborhood schools a safety issue, not only a budget one. Several parents described children who rely on short local routes and siblings who live together; they said longer bus rides to distant schools would be harmful in emergencies. Parents and community members also criticized what they called limited and late communication from the district about budget proposals and schedule changes.

Key public comments: Parent Ally Cook asked the board to reject specialization and instead look for alternatives that do not split neighborhood communities. Special-education parent Angela Blandoff described specific behavioral and medical needs for her child and said moving the child to a school across town would create unacceptable risks for both daily life and emergency response.

Several long-time residents spoke in favor of maintaining neighborhood schools and of transparency: \"The community has felt very blindsided through this whole restructure,\" said Spring Berry, a communication professional who urged clearer opt-in communications (SMS and email) and district transparency on budget numbers.

Not all speakers opposed the plan. Jason House, a 25-year educator and parent, urged the board to reaffirm the decision to restructure, saying the plan preserves campuses and essential programs and would give the next superintendent a clearer path forward.

Board response and next steps: Board members said they heard the public and noted the district must also close a multi-million-dollar budget gap. Members emphasized they want reliable data to compare options and that any structural change will require significant planning, including staff development for multi-age classrooms and attention to special-education transport needs. The board directed staff to prepare a detailed alternate-structure budget option and said it will continue public outreach.

Voices on the record: Ally Cook, parent; Leo Perry, second-grade student; Angela Blandoff, parent of a student with IEP; Jason House, educator and parent; Spring Berry, resident and communications professional; Nicole Leninger, district employee; Dave Timmerman and other long-time residents. The first public comment recorded on the transcript began at 25:17 (Ally Cook) and the last read letters concluded at about 68:56, when board members moved on to other business.

What remained unresolved: Speakers repeatedly requested clearer line-item budget details and a town-hall–style forum for sustained community conversation. Several parents said they had drafted alternate plans with cost estimates but had not seen official budget comparisons from district staff. The board agreed to return to detailed options in upcoming meetings.","Hundreds of residents, parents and students urged the board to halt a district restructuring plan and cited last week's landslide as a concrete reason to preserve neighborhood schools. Speakers also criticized district communication and leadership turnover.","actionData","errors"]

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Tongass students present Ocean Guardian project; Kanayama exchange visitors thanked the board

Votes at a glance: Ketchikan board approves reduction-in-force plan, hires AASB for superintendent search, and advances policy updates

Public backlash over school restructuring and landslide safety dominates Ketchikan school board meeting