The Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District Board of Education took several formal actions on Oct. 24, 2025, including approval of claims for Oct. 24, acceptance of a grant application, extension of the interim superintendent's contract and first-reading passage of multiple policy revisions.

Claims and grant: The board voted to approve the claims for 10/24/2025 (roll-call; motion passed 7–0). It also approved filing an application for an Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) grant totaling $829,986 (motion moved by Member Montgomery; second by Member Tabb; roll-call vote 7–0).

Superintendent contract: The board approved an extension of Interim Superintendent Ford Slack’s contract through Dec. 31, 2025. The motion to extend the contract was made and seconded (mover and seconder recorded as Jordan Tabb and Sherry Montgomery), and a roll-call vote approved the extension 7–0. Board members clarified the extension preserves the contract’s existing salary and includes remote-work arrangements; the board noted that hiring a permanent superintendent will add a short period during which two superintendent-level salaries may be paid.

Policies and hearings: The board opened public hearings and took first-reading votes on multiple policy items. The board approved first readings of revisions to BP 5113 (Absences and Excuses), BP 5131.61 (district-sponsored student ATOD testing) and BP 5138 (student personal electronic device and cell phone use). The board approved BP 4133 (Travel Expenses) in second reading and directed updates to the administrative regulation, including per‑diem changes. By contrast, a proposed first-reading revision to BP 5131.9 (Academic Honesty) was voted down (7 no votes) and will return to the policy committee for more work following public comment and board discussion.

Why this matters: These actions affect routine district finance and the district’s policy framework. The superintendent contract extension stabilizes leadership during the ongoing search for a permanent superintendent; the grant application could deliver substantial federal funds if awarded. The academic-honesty item will receive additional committee review after educators and board members urged a more detailed policy addressing artificial-intelligence tools.

Ending: The board scheduled follow-up reporting and committee work; items pulled from the consent calendar will return to staff and reappear on future agendas.