Ketchikan school board votes to restructure three elementary schools amid projected $5.9M shortfall

The Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District Board of Education on Feb. 12 approved a restructuring plan that moves grade configurations at Houghton Elementary, Point Higgins Elementary and Fawn Mountain Elementary for the 2025–26 school year, a measure the board said is necessary to address a projected budget shortfall if state funding does not increase.

The 7-member board voted 5–1 with one abstention to approve the restructuring motion after lengthy public comment and staff presentation of so-called “red line” budget options. Board President O’Brien presided over the meeting. The vote followed earlier debate and a failed motion to create a formal closure plan for Point Higgins, which the board rejected 7–0 (no votes) on a separate motion earlier in the meeting.

District staff presented two main scenarios to close a roughly $5.9 million gap assuming a BSA of $5,960 and no additional state funding. One option would close Point Higgins and make other district-wide cuts; the district estimated Point Higgins closure would save about $2,630,000 and other building cuts about $3,380,000. The alternative—district-wide cuts without closing any school—was estimated to achieve roughly $5.982 million in savings through position eliminations, program reductions and other measures.

Superintendent Robbins told the board that the district developed both options in response to direction from the borough and in case state funding did not materialize. “HB 69 was supposed to come out of the education committee. Today, it did not. So that’s a little bit in limbo,” Robbins said, noting legislative uncertainty about increased school funding.

Board members and members of the public debated which approach would produce the least harm. Supporters of the restructuring argued it preserves more elementary-site programming (libraries, music, PE and other specials) district-wide and reduces larger cuts at the middle and high school levels. Opponents and many public speakers urged the board to keep neighborhood schools intact, warning about transportation burdens, larger class sizes and the social impact on young children.

Public commenters representing Point Higgins and other neighborhoods asked the board to delay or reconsider changes. Multiple residents described reliance on neighborhood schools for community cohesion and cited concerns that parents without flexible transportation would be most affected. The board heard more than a dozen public comments opposing closures or specialization and urging equitable cuts across the district.

The board’s motion of Feb. 12 authorized the specific restructuring of grade levels (K–6) at Houghton, Point Higgins and Fawn Mountain for school year 2025–26. The motion passed 5–1 with one abstention. Board members who spoke in favor argued that specialization or grade reconfiguration would protect library and specials programs and limit deeper cuts at the secondary level. Members opposed cited community disruption and the disproportionate impact on families without transportation.

Next steps: district staff said implementation would follow board policy and include outreach to affected families, timelines for boundary or transportation adjustments, and meetings with staff and communities. The district also said it would revisit the staffing and budget figures if the Legislature approves additional funding (House Bill 69 and the Basic Student Allocation were discussed during the board’s legislative fly‑in). The board scheduled follow-up work sessions; the superintendent said a multi‑week planning period would be required to develop detailed implementation plans if the board directs staff to proceed.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to create a Point Higgins Elementary School closure plan for school year 2025–26 — Motion failed (roll call recorded as 7 no). Mover/second: not specified in the record. (See actions list below.)

- Motion to approve restructuring grade levels K–6 at Houghton Elementary, Point Higgins Elementary and Fawn Mountain Elementary for school year 2025–26 — Motion passed (5 yes, 1 no, 1 abstain). Mover/second: not specified in the record. (See actions list below.)

How this matters: The board framed the vote as a response to a worst‑case funding scenario. District staff estimated that, if the Legislature increases the Basic Student Allocation by approximately $680 (a figure discussed with legislators during the district’s legislative fly‑in), the district could restore a number of positions and programs. If that additional funding arrives, the board could reverse some cuts; if it does not, the restructuring is intended to reduce recurring expenditures to keep the district solvent.

The board also discussed alternative cost reductions presented by staff, including central office moves, capping incoming teacher seniority (a bargaining issue), and rethinking grade splits at remaining K–6 schools. Staff said many of those options would require negotiation or longer implementation timeframes.

The action marks the first formal board vote to change elementary grade configurations this budget season. The board and district staff said they will hold community meetings and detailed planning sessions in the coming weeks to finalize boundaries, staffing assignments and transportation plans.