Ketchikan school board approves K–6 restructuring, rejects formal Point Higgins closure plan

The Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District Board of Education voted Wednesday to restructure grade levels at Houghton, Point Higgins and Fawn Mountain elementary schools for the 2025–26 school year, and earlier on the same agenda declined to formally open a closure plan for Point Higgins.

Board president O'Brien announced the passed motion to restructure K–6 at Houghton, Point Higgins and Fawn Mountain after a roll-call vote of 5 yes, 1 no and 1 abstention. The board earlier considered but rejected a motion to approve the creation of a Point Higgins Elementary closure plan; that motion failed unanimously when the board voted “no.”

The restructuring vote follows staff presentations of “red-line” budget scenarios prepared under the assumption that the state Base Student Allocation (BSA) does not increase. District staff said the “red-line” package without additional state funding would require roughly $5.9 million in reductions; the presented specialization/consolidation option — the plan that passed — was the district’s proposal intended to preserve specialists, libraries and key programs while reducing personnel through grade-level realignment and school-site consolidation.

Superintendent Robbins and district staff described the assumptions used to build the options: non-health accounts increased 3 percent, health insurance by 10 percent and electricity by 12.5 percent. Staff estimated closing Point Higgins would save about $2.63 million and additional building-level cuts about $3.38 million, while the district’s analysis showed that a $680-per-student increase to the BSA would restore many of the proposed cuts.

Board members debated trade-offs. Board member Keenan framed the restructuring as a “systemic” change needed to stabilize finances beyond the current fiscal year. Board member Ginter said the closure plan outline should be considered among other options — including the contract terms governing the district’s charter school — before decisive action, but acknowledged staff had prepared the catastrophe option at the borough assembly’s request. Several board members said the specialization model better preserves programs at secondary schools and avoids deeper cuts to middle- and high-school staffing.

The board heard widespread public comment opposing closures or grade reassignments, with multiple speakers urging preservation of neighborhood schools and warning of families leaving the district or shifting to homeschool programs if changes are imposed. Board members and staff emphasized the vote to create a closure plan would have started a formal closure process; the board chose not to start that process at this meeting.

Votes at a glance - Motion: “Approve the creation of a Point Higgins Elementary School closure plan for school year 2025–2026.” Outcome: Failed (roll-call recorded as 7 no). Mover/second: not specified in record. Notes: Board discussion clarified that passage would have initiated a formal closure-planning process required by district policy. - Motion: “Approve the restructuring of grade levels K through 6 at Houghton Elementary, Point Higgins Elementary, and Fawn Mountain Elementary for school year 2025–2026.” Outcome: Passed (5 yes, 1 no, 1 abstain). Mover/second: not specified in record. Roll-call (as read at vote): Peder (abstain); Sanderson (yes); Taub (yes); Guthrie (yes); Hewitt (yes); Ginter (no); O'Brien (yes). Count reported: 5 yes, 1 no, 1 abstain.

What the board instructed next District staff said the passed restructuring direction will require administrative work to produce schedules, staffing assignments and boundary impacts. Staff estimated the immediate planning work could take several weeks and asked for clear direction so principals and teachers can prepare for next year. Several board members signaled they want listening sessions with the community about the changes and requested updated figures depending on whatever state funding is ultimately decided.

Why this matters District staff said the proposals were created under a worst-case funding scenario and were intended to give the board options to address a multi‑million-dollar deficit. Board members repeatedly said success or partial reversal of the cuts hinges on the state legislature’s action on school funding (House Bill 69 and the BSA discussions were discussed during the meeting), but they also emphasized the board must produce a plan the district can execute on short notice if additional state revenue does not arrive.

What’s next Board members scheduled follow-up work sessions and asked staff for detailed cost comparisons among the options, the effect of any student exodus on revenues, and timelines for implementation. The district will also continue outreach to the state delegation and the governor’s office on school funding.