Assembly proposes holding North Star building for community use while tracking school enrollment

The Kodiak Island Borough Assembly discussed options for the future use of North Star Elementary School at its June 26 work session, including a staff recommendation to retain the property for two to three years while monitoring student enrollment.

Mayor Arndt and borough staff described the work group’s August continuation and a proposed change to the group’s membership to add a City of Kodiak ex officio member (city council member Bob Stanford). The assembly packet shows preliminary cost estimates and a staffing/building‑use strategy that would seek renters to offset operating costs while preserving the option to reuse the building if enrollment increases.

Borough manager Amy Williams reported that staff toured the building with interested community organizations. She said Shunák (Shunack/Shunak in meeting text) expressed interest in relocating a daycare program into an entire wing and the library space. The YMCA also asked about office space related to its new K–5 after‑school efforts. The Kodiak Island Housing Authority has discussed possible financial support that could help child‑care tenants adapt the space.

At the facility work‑group meeting staff noted an estimated operating cost of roughly $90,000 a year and drew attention to a security camera/server cost the school district associated with North Star — the packet listed a recurring figure of about $47,205 tied to camera access and district server connectivity. Staff and the work group said costs and connectivity options still need clarification and that a plan to bring tenants on board could reduce the district’s operating burden.

Assembly members urged caution about selling the building. Assemblyman Larry noted the building was originally built with heavy community investment and that replacing it would be much more expensive; he argued the borough should retain the asset to keep future school‑use options. Several members said any renter should be made aware that the borough and the school district would ask for at least two years’ notice if the district needed to reclaim the building for school use.

Assembly members and staff discussed maintenance capacity. Borough staff said they plan to hire additional engineering and facilities staff (including a maintenance coordinator) and to use a preventive‑maintenance program (MaintainX) to address long‑term upkeep. Members asked staff to produce a clear scope of immediate repairs (roof, exterior steel painting and other deferred maintenance) and to specify which maintenance costs would fall to any tenant.

No vote was taken. A resolution to add the City of Kodiak council member as an ex officio participant on the North Star facility work group was presented to the assembly for consideration and will be scheduled for formal action at a future meeting.

Why this matters: North Star is a substantial borough asset; keeping it available to the district preserves flexibility if enrollment rebounds while temporary community uses could reduce short‑term carrying costs.

Looking ahead: The work group will continue meeting (next session planned in August) to refine cost estimates, draft tenant agreements with clear maintenance and notice provisions, and report back to the assembly.