Ketchikan school board previews FY27 plan that would close two schools, cut dozens of teaching positions

KETCHIKAN — The Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District Board of Education on March 28 began detailed review of a draft FY27 “stability and sustainability” plan that relies on consolidating students into centrally located learning hubs and closing two outlying schools, officials said.

Superintendent Bullard and business manager Lisa Pierce presented a draft budget framework that assumes roughly $33,000,000 for staff salary and benefits — about 85.53% of the district’s operating fund in the current presentation — and lays out proposed building and personnel changes to balance revenues and expenses.

The board has not voted on closures. Member Montgomery moved the board into a work session to review the plan, and the motion passed 6‑0. The draft specifically identifies Fawn Mountain and Point Higgins as closure candidates and lists reductions that would include 41 teaching positions, two principal roles, four library positions, four administrative assistants, two custodians and a move of central office into a school building.

Why it matters: district officials said consolidating students into K‑5, 6‑8 and 9‑12 “learning hubs” would reduce overhead and create staffing efficiencies, and the state provides a four‑year school‑closure step‑down to soften revenue loss. But teachers and community members urged the board to protect Career and Technical Education (CTE), fine arts and safety‑sensitive classes during consolidation.

What admin…