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Assembly establishes North Star School facilities working group to coordinate borough and school-district planning
Summary
The assembly proposed a five-member advisory working group—coordinated with school-board members—to address future uses of the North Star School and recommended initial steps including monthly meetings, a vice chair election and alternates for continuity.
The Kodiak Island Borough Assembly on April 10 moved to create an advisory working group to study future uses of the North Star School, appointing local officials and school-board members to a five-person panel and directing staff to support the effort.
The proposed working group—drafted after a March 12 joint work session with the Kodiak Island Borough School District—would advise the assembly on facility reuse, operations, storage and utility costs tied to the district’s decision to close the building. The draft resolution names the mayor as chair and lists two assembly members and two school-board members as appointed members. The borough manager and the superintendent would serve as ex officio administrative contacts.
Assembly members asked staff to adjust the draft to ensure the group convenes regularly because both community members and school-board representatives expressed urgency about the facility’s future use. The assembly directed staff to include language requiring the group to meet at least monthly at first, to elect a vice chair at the first meeting so the group has continuity when the chair is absent, and to identify alternates for both borough and school-board seats.
Members discussed key issues the work group will address, including whether the borough would act as landlord for any community uses, how to allocate utilities and maintenance costs, and how long-term uses (such as rental to non-profits or commercial tenants) would affect prospective tenants. Staff told the assembly that recent utility averages for the building were substantial and that choices about heating and occupancy levels will be material to any reuse scenario.
The resolution as revised will return to the assembly with language that clarifies meeting frequency, vice-chair selection at first meeting, and appointment of alternates. The mayor and assemblymembers said they expect the work group to begin meeting soon so community and district leaders can evaluate options for the gym and other spaces in the building.
