Susan McKechnie promotes King's Christian School gala to redefine education in Wasilla

The City Council of Wasilla, Alaska, convened on March 10, 2025, to address various community concerns and initiatives during its regular meeting. The session began with a reminder for public commenters to be mindful of the audience, particularly younger attendees and victims of domestic violence.

The first speaker, Susan McKechnie, headmaster of King's Christian School Alaska, introduced the new private school, which currently serves preschool through third grade and plans to expand to eighth grade next year. McKechnie highlighted the school's rapid enrollment growth, which has doubled since its opening, and emphasized the importance of school choice for parents. She invited council members to the school's upcoming gala on March 28, aimed at promoting the school's mission of leadership, discipleship, and scholarship.

Following McKechnie, Jackie Go forth addressed the council regarding the Wasilla Public Library's reconsideration of materials policy. She distributed flyers outlining the library's stance on challenges to materials, referencing the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights, which asserts that library access should not be denied based on various factors, including age. Go forth expressed concerns about the library's compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act, citing a Supreme Court case that upheld the need for libraries to restrict children's access to inappropriate content. She indicated her intention to challenge specific books in the library and sought clarity on how these materials are evaluated for quality.

The meeting underscored ongoing discussions about educational options in the community and the balance between access to information and protecting younger audiences from potentially harmful content. The council's engagement with these topics reflects a broader commitment to addressing the needs and concerns of Wasilla residents.