Tribal preschool seeks lease of North Star Elementary to expand childcare; assembly asks manager to develop proposal

At a Kodiak Island Borough Assembly work session on Oct. 14, representatives of the Schoonach Day Care Work Group asked the borough to lease part of the vacant North Star Elementary building so the group can expand a state‑licensed tribal preschool and provide more year‑round child care.

“By expanding our ability to serve more families, we not only support parents, but also strengthen our community and contribute to the local economic growth,” said April McBride, the center’s childcare administrator, during a presentation. McBride said the program is state licensed, operates 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and offers culturally relevant, play‑based early learning.

Janine “JJ” Marsh, tribal administrator for the group, said the tribe currently pays $5,000 per month in rent for space at St. Mary’s and that the North Star building’s classrooms, restrooms and fenced playground make it “an ideal location” for expansion. “We would love to have an opportunity to lease a portion of this school,” Marsh said.

Presenters and public commenters described a significant local shortage of child care. McBride said the program currently has 32 enrolled children, is licensed for up to 60, and maintains a wait list “approximately 48 students right now.” Foster parent and preschool special‑education teacher Anna Dale described repeated calls to fill placements and said lack of openings can force children taken into custody to leave the island.

Assembly members expressed broad support for the proposal but pressed for detail on costs, operations and long‑term maintenance. Assembly member Larry said North Star is a borough asset built for children and encouraged a partnership approach, while another member warned that borough leases typically start at market rate and that the assembly would have to approve any below‑market terms.

“Anyone that takes over the facility would need to have some sort of maintenance capacity,” an assembly member said, noting boilers, sprinkler inspections and other recurring costs the borough must fund whether or not a tenant is present. Members recommended the tribe consider a cooperative or shared‑maintenance model and to pursue grant funding.

On funding and operations, presenters said tuition is reinvested in the program and that the tribe pursues grants to keep rates affordable. Marsh and McBride said the program is open to all families and partners with Kodiak Island Housing Authority and Kodiak Area Native Association to expand capacity and funding options.

Assembly members suggested several next steps: the borough manager should work with the tribe, school district and relevant departments (planning, facilities, and finance) to draft a contract or proposal addressing rent, maintenance responsibilities, licensing requirements and space layout. The assembly did not take a formal vote; instead the body directed the manager to continue discussions and return with a more concrete lease proposal and facilities plan.

If the assembly approves a lease later, staff and members said the borough and the tribe could explore state and private grants, partnerships with the school district for training and after‑school programming, and cooperative maintenance arrangements to limit costs to taxpayers. Presenters said they are prepared to apply for grants and partner with local training programs to build workforce capacity.

Next steps noted at the meeting included the manager coordinating with the presenters to produce a written proposal that would cover facilities use, maintenance responsibilities, estimated operating costs, licensing implications and any necessary modifications to the building. The assembly signaled it would consider special‑circumstance lease terms if the formal proposal and related analyses indicate community benefit.