Kodiak Island school board renames $42,542 special-education construction fund for rural housing repairs

The Kodiak Island Borough School District Board of Education unanimously voted to rename $42,542 in special-education construction capital funds as rural housing capital funds, freeing the money to address repairs on district-owned housing in Akiak and Chiniak.

Dr. Mika told the board the district has no active special-education construction projects and that renaming the fund "allows us to have a much broader use for those funds," including updates to rural housing the district owns in Akiak and Chiniak. Board members asked whether the amount would be sufficient; staff said ‘‘From the initial estimates, it should cover broadly the Akiak and possibly what we need to do in Chiniak.’’

Board discussion focused on Akiak as the first priority because of extensive damage there after frozen pipes and a failed hot-water heater led to subsequent flooding. A speaker noted the Akiak house had been stripped "down to the floor joists" and described the remaining structure as a shell. Board members who viewed the property said it ‘‘really needs to be done’’ and thanked the teachers who had been living there for hanging on through the difficult conditions.

The motion to rename the fund was moved and seconded and was approved by roll-call vote: Jim Pryor, Mike Litzow, Jesse Mickelson, and Kerry Irons voted yes. The board did not specify a timetable for work; staff indicated Akiak will be the first priority and that the renamed fund will allow a broader set of repairs than the original special-education construction designation.

Next steps: the district will proceed with planning repairs using the renamed rural housing capital funds, beginning with Akiak, and will provide updates to the board as estimates and project plans are finalized.