Students tell senators dorm conditions and food improved but maintenance and communication remain concerns
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Summary
Two Mount Edgecumbe students testified to strong academics and activities but described outdated facilities, inconsistent dorm leadership and the emotional impact of service cuts; DEED and NANA Management described kitchen upgrades and dorm cleanups.
Juneau — Two students from Mount Edgecumbe High School told the Senate Education Committee on Feb. 11 that the school provides strong academics and activities but that dorm and facility problems and inconsistent dorm leadership have affected student life.
"MEHS just isn't a school. It's a place that grows people who go back to their communities and strengthen them," student Kenny Cross told the committee, adding that stable funding, updated facilities and maintenance are essential to sustaining the school’s role across Alaska. Student Lana (Elana) Kalki said outdated dorm and academic building leaks and inconsistent application of rules in dorms had left students frustrated even as she praised dual enrollment and music programs.
Superintendent David Langford described the dorms the department found in July as "absolutely filthy," saying NANA Management and the department worked to replace furniture and mattresses and to fund repairs. "We had at least 40 mattresses that should have been thrown away 10 years ago and weren't," Langford said. Langford said the department found funds and allocated about $100,000 to replace dorm furniture.
Department officials and NANA Management said the food-service program has improved since the vendor change. DEED recounted that USDA inspections previously found numerous violations; after NANA's takeover the department said there were four remaining findings, most clerical, and that new kitchen equipment had been installed and new management placed in the cafeteria. Langford told senators meal counts were up and that NANA had been working with students directly to change menus.
Debbie Little Dog, NANA director of dorm management, said the contractor inherited "a lot of chaos" and described cultural programming, cleaning and staffing efforts to restore livability and student cultural activities. Committee members asked how the department solicits candid student feedback; Langford said informal daily engagement, a student food commission and weekly meetings with the food-service director are part of the approach.
The committee did not take formal action; members requested further financial detail from the department and indicated the Senate Finance Committee would probe capital-appropriation questions.