Tribal child-care program seeks lease of North Star Elementary to expand services

A tribal-affiliated early childhood program asked the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly on Oct. 14 to lease part of vacant North Star Elementary so the program can expand and serve families on Kodiak Island.

The Schoonach/Shunac day-care work group — represented at the meeting by Janine “JJ” Marsh and April McBride — described state licensing, current capacity limits and community demand. “Our wait list is approximately 48 students right now,” Marsh said, adding the program currently rents space at St. Mary’s and pays $5,000 a month in rent. McBride told the assembly the program is state licensed, operates year‑round with extended hours and provides culturally based early learning, saying expansion into North Star would allow more children to receive kindergarten readiness instruction locally.

The request drew support from parents, teachers and community members who described long waits for openings and the cultural and developmental benefits of the program. Anna Dale, who identified herself as a foster parent and special‑education preschool teacher, said limited child-care openings force some children taken into custody to move off island. “I love the cultural activities included in the curriculum,” Dale said, noting elders visit for story time and teachers teach the Lutik language.

Assembly members and staff discussed practical, fiscal and operational considerations. Assemblymember Dave expressed strong support and urged rapid movement to avoid stalling momentum. Assemblymember Larry LeDoux encouraged partnering with the school district and applying for grants, noting North Star was built as a school and is an existing borough asset. Assemblymember Ryan and others asked for a detailed maintenance plan and raised concerns about heating, utilities, annual inspections and long‑term sustainability.

Managerial and staff next steps were proposed during the discussion. Seema (borough staff) said a similar‑use determination has been filed with the Planning and Zoning Commission; assembly members asked the borough manager, engineering and facilities staff, and planning staff to work with the Schoonach group (JJ) to produce a written proposal or draft lease that addresses rent, maintenance responsibilities, facility needs and program sustainability. JJ Marsh indicated willingness to proceed and said the tribe and partners would pursue grants and other funding sources.

No formal lease or vote was taken during the meeting. Instead, the assembly directed staff to continue consultations with the group, coordinate with the Kodiak Island Borough School District on potential partnerships, and return a more concrete proposal for the assembly to consider.

The request highlights child‑care shortages on Kodiak Island and the borough’s role in repurposing underused school properties to meet community needs. Proponents stressed cultural programming and kindergarten readiness; assembly members emphasized fiscal transparency, building maintenance, and potential grant partnerships.

If the assembly and manager move forward with a lease, members said they expect a proposal that clarifies rent or subsidized rates, maintenance and insurance responsibilities, occupant capacity by classroom size and licensing requirements. Several assembly members urged exploration of co‑op or shared‑use arrangements to spread operating and facility costs.