Community advocates for special education staff during budget meeting at Schonbar Elementary

The Ketchikan Gateway Borough School Board held a special meeting on April 12, 2025, focusing on critical issues surrounding the district's educational programs and staffing. The meeting featured a series of public comments from community members, emphasizing the importance of maintaining support staff and educational resources.

The first speaker highlighted the essential role of paraprofessionals in student success, particularly for those with special needs. The speaker advocated for a K-7, 8-12 educational model, suggesting that the underutilized high school could be repurposed to better serve eighth graders, potentially leading to cost savings by reducing resource duplication.

Next, a ten-year-old student named Arbor Berry expressed her appreciation for the school community, noting the courage of her peers in voicing their support for the school. This sentiment was echoed by Debbie Olsen, a former student and current special education coordinator. Olsen shared her experiences and concerns regarding the potential reduction of staff and programs, arguing that such cuts would undermine the quality of education and support for vulnerable students. She emphasized the need for adequate staffing to comply with special education laws and to meet the diverse needs of students.

Olsen also pointed out the logistical challenges that would arise from staff reductions, particularly in organizing necessary meetings for students with individualized education plans (IEPs). She urged the board to reconsider any plans that would weaken the support structure currently in place.

The meeting concluded with a call for additional public comments, indicating ongoing community engagement in the decision-making process. The discussions underscored a collective concern for preserving educational quality and support systems within the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District. The board's decisions in the coming weeks will be crucial in shaping the future of the district's educational landscape.