The Skagway News - Sept. 8, 2023

THE SKAGWAY NEWS.

September 8, 2023

$19.9 million FEMA / BRIC grant reaches next level of approval

By Melinda Munson

Skagway is one step closer to a $19.9 million grant awarded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to shore up the landslide area above Railroad Dock. The repeated landslides, which worsened in June 2022, cost the city over $3 million in mitigation costs to prepare for the 2023 season.

The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant (BRIC) is distributed by FEMA through the state. The municipality applied last December.

“We thought this was a long shot,” said Port Director Cody Jennings. “We had a lot of folks advocating on our behalf.”

Gov. Mike Dunleavy gave the landslides official emergency designation in September 2022 and Sen. Lisa Murkowski toured the site that same month. In October 2022, Mayor Andrew Cremata visited Washington D.C. with Skagway lobbyist John Walsh.

While excitement is high, Skagway can’t count the money just yet. According to Jennings, the municipality has been “notified of the advancement of final review,” but the award is not yet finalized.

“We’ve passed the first step,” Jennings explained. Next is an environmental and historical review. “We’re learning as we go. This is a new process for us,” Jennings said.

According to Borough manager Brad Ryan, Alaska has not had a BRIC applicant (see page 2-Muni)

Crowded school board meeting addresses attendance policy

By Gretchen Wehmhoff

Staff and parents foraged for extra chairs at the Aug. 29 school board meeting. An attendance policy proposal, discussion of additional help in the kitchen and budget issues drew more folks in than usual to the school library.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

A proposed attendance policy submitted for a first reading suggests mandating a maximum number of days a student can be absent each semester before potentially losing credit or the ability to be promoted to the next grade level. The policy would include excused and unexcused absences. School-related absences would not count against the total.

First grade teacher Kort-

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ney Rupprecht discussed accommodating families who leave on extended vacations, specifically from Thanksgiving to February or even spring break.

“In the past, families had asked me to give them all of the work that they would need for these trips. And because, at the time, I was more inexperienced, I said yes. And I would stay at the school for weeks and weeks and weeks, prepping all of these things on weekends and nights and sending it to them,” she said.

Rupprecht acknowledged that it was her own prerogative to prepare the work and that she was only obligated to provide two weeks worth of work for traveling students.

“But in my opinion, a parent was asking me to do this.

And I know they’re [student is] not going to be enrolled somewhere else, so I felt that I had to give them enough work so their kid wouldn’t fall behind,” Rupprecht continued.

Rupprecht said she is committed to her students and that long, consecutive absences put students at risk of falling behind. She stated that in the seven cases in the past three years, only one student “actually did most of what I sent to a decent quality.”

Rupprecht has concerns about linking the 20 consecutive absent days back to back, impacting the progress a student makes in core subjects.

“They are in the top reading, they are in the highest of the class. They go on this vacation that I’m sure was

amazing, and I’m sure had lots of life experiences. But they come back, and now they’re in the lowest reading level or [behind for] next year. Now their competence is slashed,” she says.

Rupprecht said that many of the students needed to either stay after school or get additional help to get caught up with their grade level after returning.

“Older kids might have an easier time, not the littles,” she said.

High school teacher Jessica Ward asked for clarification on how the absence is determined for older students noting that a student might miss the first period more times than they miss other classes later in the day. She also commented that adding illness and vacation

Skagway, Alaska

Photo by Gretchen Wehmhoff

Skagway cross-country starts off at Seven Pastures in their invitational meet on Sept. 2. Left to right, Skagway runners are Sam Munson, Liam Ticarro, Malcom Lawson and Matthew Rosenberry. Zeke Coughran on page 8. More picture on Skagway News website.

The Skagway News. Skagway’s First Newspaper

Christened in 1897, buried alive in 1904 and resurrected in 1978, The Skagway News is currently celebrating 46 years of reporting in Skagway and Dyea, Alaska, recording our Centennial years and beyond.

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Vol. XLVI, No 16 (955) September 8, 2023

Published online the second and fourth Friday of the month

Phone: (907) 983-2354 www.skagwaynews.com editor@skagwaynews.com sales@skagwaynews.com

Publishers

Melinda Munson

Gretchen Wehmhoff

Contributors

Jaime Bricker

Editor Emeritus

William J. “Jeff” Brady

Submissions

The Skagway News welcomes opinions pieces and letters to the editor. Opinion pieces should be no longer than 600 words and will be published based on space availability and relevance to current and local events. Letters to the editor should not exceed 250 words.

Submit letters and opinions to editor@skagwaynews. com. Letters may be edited for grammar and length.

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Capture the flag draws interest for adults at Seven Pastures.

Muni closes in on nearly $20 million FEMA aid

(Continued from front page) in recent history. Skagway could be the first.

“We believe it will be successful,” he said.

Even with the BRIC money, the municipality will still be short of projected funds needed. Estimates to permanently stabilize the slide area range from $30-$40 million.

It’s unclear when the grant money would become available.

“We don’t know when it will be approved. “It’s going to take some work and some time,” Ryan said.

Logistics for the 2024 season will be much the same as they were this year on Railroad Dock. Aft ship passengers will be bused to the upper Small Boat Harbor parking lot and the forward ship will again use tenders to transport passengers to the Small Boat Harbor south ramp. The landslide area will continue to be electronically monitored as well as utilize human look-outs.

Mayor Andrew Cremata gave kudos to local staff for

Correction

their effort on the grant.

“The real hard work was performed by Manager Ryan, Port Manager Jennings, and municipal staff, as these are highly competitive grants that require a ton of legwork to secure,” he said.

Jennings praised the grant writing talents of Kaitlyn Jared, port administrative manager, and shared (perhaps) an unintentional rockslide pun.

“It was definitely a team effort. We’re grateful for everyone who chipped in,” she said.

SPD officer dispatches brown bear in Dyea as last resort

By Melinda Munson

A brown bear was killed Aug. 30 in Dyea by a Skagway police officer after attempts to haze it were unsuccessful.

The bear is believed to be the same one that forced the closure of the National Park Service (NPS) Dyea Campground on Aug. 23 after destroying a tent. The dark-colored bear was originally misidentified by witnesses as a black bear.

Skagway Police Chief Jerry Reddick said an officer was called to a residence in Dyea due to a bear harassing a chicken coop. After repeated attempts to scare off the bear, the animal began “running back straight for the officer.” Reddick said the officer then dispatched the bear for “human life preservation.”

The incident was reported to Alaska Department of Fish and Game, which received the bear’s hide, head and paws and classified the

specimen as a brown bear.

According to Reddick, the brown bear was young and weighed around 300 pounds.

“We live in bear country,” Reddick said. “We try to give them the space, the benefit of the doubt. But after dogs, paintballs and bear spray didn’t work, we’re kind of at a loss.”

Reddick reminded residents to put trash out just before pickup and report bear movement.

“We like to know where people see bear activity when it’s in town or near a house,” he said. Reddick said this information helps police keep residents, and bears safer.

The NPS Dyea Campground reopened Sept. 5 with a bear advisory in place. A red emergency phone located near the ranger station at the entrance to the campground is available to report bear activity. Visit https://www. nps.gov/subjects/bears/safety.htm for bear safety information.

Johanna Evans with the Skagway Rec Center gives a briefing on the rules for an evening game of capture the flag. Evans has been running the game for teens over the summer and, by request, opened the game for an adults only night.

Photo by Gretchen Wehmhoff

Photo by Gretchen Wehmhoff

Several brave participants prepare to give the first adult evening of capture the flag a shot. Contact Evans at the Rec Center if you would like to be on the contact list for future games.

In the Aug. 25 edition the brown bear on front page photo was taken by Jeff Brady in Nelson’s Sough on the Dyea Flats, not West Creek as published. We regret the error.

Skagway teacher receives Don Hather award

By Melinda Munson Skagway teacher Kent

Fielding was honored at August’s school board meeting with the 2023 Don Hather Wall of Fame award.

Upon receiving the recognition, he spoke briefly, and humbly.

“I feel slightly embarrassed,” he said. “There are so many great teachers in the school that do as much as I did.”

Originally started in 2012, the wall is in honor of Skagway resident Don Hather, a former coach and booster of Skagway School and its sports teams.

Fielding, in his 19th year at Skagway, teaches English, American literature, history and U.S. government.

“Kent, probably more than any teacher in school history, is responsible for producing not only great students in the classroom, but phenomenal student-athletes in a wide range of activities,” said the nomination letter submitted by Jeff Brady.

Fielding is a past finalist for Alaska Teacher of the Year.

He has also been Alaska Coach of the Year for Drama, Debate and Forensics (DDF). He coached Skagway to several state championships, including two Alaska DDF Students of the Year.

Two of Fielding’s teams won their division at state championships.

Brady, the 2022 Don Hather Wall of Fame recipient, addressed Fielding’s success with DDF.

“By far for the size of our student body, Skagway has been an elite program in Alaska and produces national qualifiers,” Brady said.

Fielding also coached track and cross-country, mentoring several regional champions.

“And maybe not a feather in his cap, but very worthy of recognition, was his willingness to take on a very thin boys’ basketball team of just five players a few years ago

and guide them through a no-win season while keeping their heads held high,” Brady said. “The best coaches and mentors in this world know how to get the most out of their students, whether they win or lose.”

“Jeff is probably overstating some stuff,” Fielding told the audience after accepting the award. “There are so many great educators that I work with that do a phenomenal job. “…I dropped my daughter off at Columbia this past weekend. This school produced someone who could go to a school that very few people – one of the top schools that is so hard to get into – I think 3% of people who apply there get into it. And you know, I saw her grow from so many different teachers in this school. …She’s a product of the school and I can’t tell you how proud I was.”

Fielding hopes to see more teachers added to the wall in the future.

Photo by Jaime Bricker

Dr. Josh Coughran presents Skagway high school teacher and coach Kent Fielding the 2023 Don Hather award at the Aug. 29 school board meeting.

By Gretchen Wehmhoff

The act of climbing a hill is relative. I have huffed and puffed up slopes on bikes in my younger years and, believe it or not, in three Gold Nugget Triathlons. If it wasn’t for multiple gears, I wouldn’t have made it to the top. Actually, my stamina probably had more to do with my willingness to get off the bike and walk or stop for an unconventional break to visit with race volunteers.

I wasn’t in it to win it. I was just in it. I was a confident swimmer, and hey, anyone can ride a bike (it’s not the same as when you were 12 –don’t try it cold turkey) but when we learned we could walk the run, my swimming buddy and I decided to give it a try.

A friend told me that the most important thing I could do was to show up and get in the pool for the first leg. So I did. The swim felt good. Since I’d been swimming regularly, the 500 yards was over before I knew it. The 12-mile bike ride in a wet swimsuit, not so much. I thought I’d ridden several

Aug. 20

Your chances of finishing are better when you show up

miles when I came up on the one-mile marker. For the record, there were some crazy hills that year – those who passed me pushing my bike cheered me on. “You can do it! Keep going.”

The four mile walk was the hardest. I was the last “runner” and I was walking through bear country. My feet were screaming at me. When it was over I could barely hobble to pick up my bike and bucket from the transition area.

I finished in last place that first year. The next year I received the award for most-improved, but still came in near the end. I finished all three times and have the t-shirts to prove it –nevermind that they don’t fit anymore.

The point is, I wouldn’t have finished at all if I hadn’t shown up at the beginning. And because I knew I had finished once, I knew I could finish again.

I thought about this while photographing the high school cross-country meet last weekend. Nearly 100 runners started the race. Faster runners stretched out the pack and everyone else found their pace. Wherever they were when they started, it was that final hill from Yakutania Point trail to the Dyea Lookout that defined them.

The leaders climbed the

-Police responded to a noise complaint.

-A bear with a cub was spotted near the Gold Rush Cemetery.

-Dispatch contacted the on duty provider.

-Fire personnel assisted with a scheduled medevac.

-Fire personnel responded to a medical emergency.

-A lost jacket was reunited with its owner.

Aug. 21

-Police responded to a downtown altercation between tourists.

-A lost wallet was reunited with its owner.

-Fire personnel responded to a medical emergency.

Aug. 22

-Dispatch received numerous reports of a suspicious person.

-Police assisted with a vehicle lock-out.

Aug. 23

-Police assisted with a vehicle lock-out.

-A bear was reported at the Dyea Campground.

-A bear was reported in Liarsville.

final incline of Dyea Road to the finish, some looking like they had energy to go further, some asking more of their body than it had to give. The rest of the pack worked their way up the hill in groups, pairs and as lone runners. They all knew that the hill would be there, but they still ran across the starting line.

Once the boys race finished, the runners shuttled back down the hill to watch the girls teams take off. Then, they jumped back in their vans and returned to the finish line.

What impressed me, besides the coach whom I watched run up and down that hill umpteen times, were the boys who ran back down the hill to meet their teammates coming out of the woods to encourage them as they started the final climb. I watched Hoonah boys running with their female counterparts up the slope. I had seen the same boys struggle up the road just twenty minutes ago, and here they were, climbing it again, encouraging a friend on the toughest part of the race.

Isn’t it like most things in our life? We can’t finish if we don’t start. And while climbing a hill is relative to the hill, physical abilities or experience, starting at the bottom one step or stride at a time is how we get to the top.

The best part is that friends are often there to encourage us.

Everyone should know by now that Skagway has an election coming up in October. There are three candidates for one mayoral seat, two candidates for two assembly positions and zero candidates for three school board vacancies.

Simply put, there is definitely competition for mayor, but if no one else runs, the two assembly positions will be filled by the two who showed up. And since no one has shown up for the school board race, no one will finish. Which, considering the support this town seems to give the school and the strong and diverse opinions of its residents, is less than satisfactory. No one will show up to help tackle the hills this community will be facing together over the next few years?

Nah, I believe in Skagway.

Just like the runners who knowingly started the race with a giant hill at the end, the people of this town are more than capable of showing up. I’ve seen them show up for each other when the pandemic set in, when a neighbor needed help, when funds were needed to rebuild a home or bring a friend back from medical emergencies. I watched this town rally to fight a major fire in the win-

ter, pitching in to hold hoses, bring food and hot drinks. I’ve seen groups hold spontaneous fundraisers, burger feeds, pizza feeds, barbeques and even collect donations for causes at “free” yard sales.

This town can handle so much because you have each other. And the community will show up when you toss your hat in the ring to run for office. When you win (odds are good), I’m sure you’ll hear about it when someone is upset and you’ll feel the pressure of knowing the buck stops with you during emergency decisions. But the people of Skagway will be grateful you are there to complain to, to thank, and to appreciate.

There will be friends who will run up the hill with you, however you need to start in order to finish. In this case, anyone who enters the school board race is almost guaranteed to win.

You don’t need experience to run up a hill or to run for office. You just need a desire to be part of your community and to give it a chance. Maybe it’s your turn this year.

Write-in applications are due Sept. 29 at 5 p.m. It’s just a little paperwork. Go ahead. Take the first step, visit the municipal clerk’s office. Run. You won’t get out of breath in this race and the climb will be worth it.

Submitted by Skagway Police Department Police & Fire Blotter

Aug. 24

-Fire personnel assisted with a scheduled medevac.

-Police personnel hazed a bear in Liarsville.

Aug. 25

-Fire personnel responded to a medical emergency.

-Police informed tourists consuming cannabis in public that it was illegal to do so.

Aug. 26

-Fire personnel responded to two separate reports of people passed out in the road.

-A bear was spotted on Dyea Road.

-Fire personnel responded to a medical emergency.

-A bear was spotted at Gold Rush Cemetery.

-Police assisted with a vehicle lock-out.

-A bear was reported in Liarsville.

Aug. 27

-Dispatch contacted the on duty provider.

-Fire personnel assisted with a scheduled medevac.

-Police hazed a bear in Liarsville.

Aug. 28

-A lost phone was reunited with its owner.

-A bear was reported in Liarsville.

-A lost passport was reunited with its owner.

-Fire personnel assisted with a scheduled medevac.

Aug. 29

-A bear was reported in Liarsville.

-A bear was reported near Jewell Gardens.

-A bear was reported on Dyea Road.

-Fire personnel responded to two separate medical emergencies.

Aug. 30

-A bear was reported on Dyea Road.

-Fire personnel responded to a medical emergency.

-Fire personnel assisted with a scheduled medevac.

-Police informed some intoxicated crew members that they should return to their ship.

-Dispatch received a report of a bear that had broken into a chicken coop. Police hazed the bear for hours but it refused to leave and became aggressive resulting in its culling.

-Fire personnel assisted with a scheduled medevac.

Aug. 31

-Fire personnel responded to a medical emergency.

-Fire personnel responded to a brush fire on the Klondike Highway.

-A bear and cubs were reported at Jewell Gardens.

Albert (Al) Aaron Moseley

Sept. 20, 1944 - Aug. 12, 2023

Al was preceded in death by his son, Wesley Allen Moseley, his parents Albert and Lucille, his brother PVT FC David Wesley Moseley, sister Sharon Howard, and Shadow, the best dog ever.

He is survived by his love of 39 years, his wife Barbara Ann Knapp Moseley; his sons David (Susan Lihou), Eric (Katherine), and Jimmy (Vanesa Renovalez); grandson Isaiah Moseley and granddaughter Kiara Selmer; brother Jim Moseley (Glenda); niece Dawn LaRiviere and her daughter; childhood best friend, Louie Bruns.

Obituary

ington where he honed his skills as a diesel mechanic. Al worked at the Todd Shipyards in Seattle; Craig Equipment (John Deere, Kubota and Bobcat dealers) in Fairbanks, Alaska; and retired after 26 years as the gas shop supervisor for White Pass & Yukon Route in Skagway, Alaska … a job that he loved.

both. That was Al.

Al may have left this world, but his spirit lives on through the countless stories of his adventures and the love he shared with Barb, family and friends.

Albert Aaron Moseley (Al) was born Sept. 20, 1944, to Albert and Lucille Moseley of Seattle, Washington. He was the oldest of four children. He died Aug. 12 at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle.

Al grew up in the south end of Seattle. He joined the U.S. Army when he was 17 years old. Al passed the test to become classified as an Expert Rifleman. After a three-year stint in the army, Al moved on to Bates Technical School in Tacoma, Wash-

School absences cause concern

(Continued from front page)

to extracurricular absences makes content learning difficult.

“I’ve had kids miss upwards of a half of their school days in a specific class. And that’s really detrimental to their ability to learn the content … 40 days or 23.5% of their school seat time,” Ward said. “I just want you to consider, if we give up or miss eight weeks of school, then when they’re 19, they go to college, what are we telling them?” she added.

Teacher Courtney Ellingson reminded the board of the Alaska Reads Act passed in 2022.

“This accountability for learning and making targeted growth is now being heavily monitored by our state for the Reads Act. So this law is a strategic plan to ensure that all students are at or above grade level in reading by the end of third grade,” Ellingson said.

Special education teacher Amy MacPherson and Superintendent Josh Coughran have been meeting to determine how Skagway is going to comply with the requirements that need to be reported to the state.

“So one thing that they’re doing is that the teachers have to actually assess the kids every other week. It doesn’t take very long, but we’re required to send this home to parents. So if kids aren’t here for eight weeks,

the teachers are going to be missing this component,” MacPherson said.

Several community members brought up the challenges of taking vacations during the summer when so many families’ jobs rely on summer tourism.

Parent and business owner, Beth Smith, noted the difficulty traveling from Skagway.

“We live in an area that it’s so difficult to get out of. In the winter time, it’s at least two days to get out of Skagway and get to the place that you’re going – and that is if everything runs smoothly. That’s also two days back. So I understand it’s difficult, but in this town, I would say 85% of the families are not able to leave in the summertime. We are stuck here. It is our livelihood,” Smith said.

“I think that if anything good came from COVID it was that we can go online. We have, in the school, spent a ton of money on technology and the kids are adapted to going online. And even the assessments should be able to be done online,” she said.

The attendance policy will be discussed at the next policy meeting on Sept. 19 at 6 p.m.

BUDGET MATTERS

Money and budgets dominated a portion of the meeting: a 22-inch planer pur-

(see page 8- board)

Once retired, Al spent his time at home with his wife, Barb, enjoying many hobbies that included woodworking, anything electrical, fishing, tying his own fishing flies, reloading and hunting. He could fix anything and would lend a hand when someone needed help.

Al enjoyed socializing with family and friends, often with a cigarette and drink in hand. He liked to make people laugh and he always had a joke or prank at the ready. Some laughed, some cringed and some did

Al was a member of the Elks Lodge #431, the Fraternal Order of Eagles #25, the American Legion, and Moe’s Frontier Bar.

A military service was held at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington on Aug. 30, honoring Al for his service to his country. A celebration of life will be held in Skagway on Sept. 23, at 2 p.m. at the Eagles.

Remembrances can be made to Skagway F.O.E., PO Box 181, Skagway, Alaska 99840.

Obituary submitted by the family.

MUNICIPALITY OF SKAGWAY NOTICE OF REGULAR MUNICIPAL ELECTION

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2023

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, there will be held in the Municipality of Skagway, Alaska, a REGULAR MUNICIPAL ELECTION

THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS WILL BE ON THE BALLOT:

Ø Shall the Municipality of Skagway increase the property tax exemption level from $250,000 to $350,000.00 for primary residences within the Municipality of Skagway Borough for residents who are “65 years of age or older,” “disabled veterans,” or “widows or widowers of persons who qualified for an exemption ?

For " #

Against " #

Ø Shall the rate of sales tax collected upon sales made and services rendered in Skagway be increased from 5% to 6.25% for increased operational and infrastructural demands during the 2nd and 3rd quarters of each calendar year, April through September?

For " #

Against " #

Ø Shall a 35-year lease, beginning at market rent, with Petro 49 Inc. be approved, that requires Petro 49 Inc. to adhere to all environmental and industrial standards, as contained in the essential terms of Ordinance No. 23 -20?

For " #

THE FOLLOWING OFFICES WILL BE ON THE BALLOT:

Against " #

Ø Two (2) Assembly Seats – for three (3) year terms each, to expire October 2026;

Ø One (1) Borough Mayor Seat – for two (2) year term, to expire 2025;

Ø Three (3) School Board Seats – two (2) for a three (3) year terms, to expire October 2026 One (1) for a one (1) year term, to expire October 2024.

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS: Any person qualified to vote in borough elections may have their name placed on the ballot for election as a candidate for any borough elective office. No person may serve simultaneously as mayor and assembly member.

FILING DATES: Interested persons wishing to file for an elected office may file a DECLARATION OF CANDIDACY with the Borough Clerk between July 31, 2023, and August 14, 2023. A PUBLIC OFFICIAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE must be on file in the Borough Clerk’s Office or attached to the Declaration of Candidacy to be considered complete.

• UPDATE: The candidate filing period has CLOSED. Any person wishing to file as a WRITE-IN CANDIDATE must submit a LETTER OF INTENT before 5:00 p.m., Friday, September 29, 2023.

ELECTION HOURS: The polls will open at 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, and will close at 8:00 p.m. on the same day.

DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE: The deadline to register to vote in the October 3, 2023, Regular Municipal Election is Sunday, September 3, 2023

VOTER QUALIFICATIONS: A person may vote in a municipal election only if the person:

1. is qualified to vote in state elections under AS 15.05.010;

2. has been a resident of the municipality for 30 days immediately preceding the election;

3. has registered before the election as required under AS 15.07 and is not registered to vote in another jurisdiction

ABSENTEE VOTING: Voters who will be out of town for the Regular Municipal Election on October 3, 2023 are able to vote absentee in person at the Borough Offices beginning Monday, September 18, 2023, and ending Monday, October 2, 2023, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. To allow sufficient time for mailing, absentee ballots by mail should be requested by Friday, September 22, 2023

For more information visit www.skagway.org and click on “Government” then “Elections, or contact the Borough Clerk at s.burnham@skagway.org or 907-983-9706.

Family Fun Page - print and share

Across

1 Chucklehead

4 Rover’s reward

8 --- Battlefield Historic State Park

9 Blue ribbon, for example

11 --- Bradley, five-star General

12 “Pride and Prejudice” heroine Elizabeth ---

14 Acquire

16 Hi or ‘bye in Italy

17 Where Dorothy was blown away

18 Quick sharp bark

19 Monica Lewinsky’s

former friend Linda ---

21 Former Russian ruler

24 Seismic event

28 “Before I forget ... “

29 “I Want ---!”

(1958 Susan Hay ward movie)

30 How trains run if they’re on schedule

32 “Olly Olly --- free”

33 It has a World Series, like baseball

34 Kind of wave

35 Torn clothing

36 “--- a Heartache”

(Bonnie Tyler song)

Color Me

Down

1 Girl Scout cookie

2 “He’s --- fool!”

3 1980s Soviet policy of reconstruction

4 Distributin tasty bribes gets home helps

5 “You --- it to yourself”

6 Nosy pelican flapped about in the House

7 Orange Sesame Street room-mate

8 Charging station

10 Distribute cards

13 Beat

Check out our NEW online puzzle page for interactive crosswords and sudokus. www.skagwaynews/puzzles

15 Ingot

20 Sports moneymaker

21 Make lace

22 Farm fare

23 Mary --- of “The Maltese Falcon”

25 Start fighting

26 They take the cake

27 “Pandora’s Box” painter --Magritte

31 Eldest of the “Little Women”

CLASSIFIEDS

BROADWAY BULLETIN BOARD

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Library Hours:

Mon. - Thurs. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Fri. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Weekends 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Call 983-2665 or email library@skagway.org

KHNS is searching for our next General Manager. You can see the full job description on our website at https://khns.org/job-opportunities . Position open until filled with first review on Sept 15th.

Dahl Clinic Winter Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed Sat. and Sun. 907-983-2255

For after-hours emergencies, dial 911.

Solid Waste Facility Hours T, Th, Sa, Su. 1 - 3 p.m.

Skagway Museum

907-983-2420

Border stations: 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. Call each station for specifics.

Ferry Terminal Hours

M-F 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

SKAGWAY WORSHIP DIRECTORY

Assembly of God Church

8th & State • 907-983-2350

Sun. Worship....................11 a.m.

Wed. Bible Devotions & Prayer 7 p.m. Email skagwayag@outlook.com

First Presbyterian Church 5th & Main • 983-2260

Sunday Worship 11 a.m.

Sunday School 9:45 a.m.

Women’s Prayer 10 a.m Tues. Bible Study time varies. Please inquire. Online access available to all events.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints 11th & State • 983-2518

Sun. Sacrament Meeting...10 a.m.

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Board hears testimony regarding kitchen position, lack of documentation on web

chased with grant money from the Carl Perkins funds, and plans to adjust spending within the food service budget.

The board finance committee reported they discussed looking for additional funding to turn an approved part-time kitchen help position into a full-time helper as requested by the current kitchen manager, Dylan Healy.

In addition to seeking cost cutting strategies, the committee agreed to consider raising the school lunch price from $5 to $6.50.

Public commentary favored raising the lunch rate.

“I think this is the best lunch program that I’ve ever seen anywhere. It’s definitely not the lunch that we grew up with … So we’ll pay five bucks, six bucks, whatever it costs. We’re all about it. We appreciate it,” said parent Sterling Rachal.

The benefit of adding a full-time kitchen staff versus a part-time assistant was supported by local restaurateur, Mike Healy who suggested that a new hire should already have experience.

“It’s very important that when you’re looking at this budget for that position, that you realize that you’re going to need to put forth a competitive wage. So you get a competent person, I should say an experienced person. Because what’s going to happen is, if you do hire someone who’s not experienced, chef [Dylan] here is going to spend the first two months holding hands instead of doing his job.”

Currently the budgeted part-time position is being filled by various substitutes. Creating a full time assistant would add payroll and benefit costs to the position.

Healy also suggested third party eyes might help find ways to cut costs.

“I don’t know if maybe an audit is in order. I audited my business, and had it done during the pandemic. I’m saving probably eight to nine percent because of that audit, because I am able to see all these things from someone else’s eyes that I was not able to see.”

On top of seeking means to add a full-time kitchen assistant, the letter from the Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) posing the possible return of almost $500,000 over the cap funding to the state is impacting the current budget.

In closing arguments, board member Jaime Bricker noted it was this letter that kept items such as the kitchen assistant off of the original agenda for the Aug. 29 meeting.

“We are up against a brand new beast from the State of Alaska, an enormous budget cut. And to me from a board perspective, it would have been irresponsible of us to consider budget amendments without having all the information that we need from the state on this matter,” Bricker said.

Coughran met with state officials from DEED this past week in order to discuss the state’s letter as well as options available to Skagway. Coughran will report on those findings at the next finance committee meeting Sept. 20 at 6 p.m.

During public comment two topics arose that later precipitated board commentary.

ONLINE DOCUMENTATION MISSING , LATE

Parent Melinda Munson expressed concern that it was difficult to find minutes on the school board website as she sought information about the approval process for funding the current school nurse position.

Prior to COVID-19 pandemic, the school did not have a full time nurse. Using COVID grants, a nurse position was filled to help track the needs of the district during COVID.

“I went back to the 2022-2023 minutes, agendas, and all of that, supporting documents for that school year, and I just couldn’t find anything that showed any discussion that the school board might have had for that position,” Munson said.

Munson noted that the minutes for the last several meetings were just posted recently. The board approved minutes that night for April, May, June and July.

“I thought that maybe that was a robust conversation that would have been had at the table. That we would have had a position that’s newly funded by the school board, we would have had parent input if that position is one we wanted to keep. And so, I would have liked to have seen that conversation. I also couldn’t find anything in the finance agenda that shows that conversation took place,” she said.

Munson said she was concerned that the salary was higher than when the nurse was compensated during COVID. She was also apprehensive about having the nurse related to the superintendent –that if she had a complaint, it would be uncomfortable reporting it to the superintendent.

“And it’s nothing against Amy. I really like Amy and my kids do, too,” she said.

Superintendent Coughran is married to school nurse Amy Coughran.

“I feel very safe not having a nurse,” said Munson, a parent of several children with disabilities.

Editors note: Munson is part owner of The Skagway News.

In a letter to Munson the next day and later shared with The Skagway News, Coughran clarified that the nurse position salary was determined by the salary scale within the collective bargaining agreement for certificated staff and that the position was approved during the Jan. 31 school board meeting as part of a list of non-tenured certificated positions

The bargaining agreement listed on the website ended in 2021. The current agreement is posted HERE on the Skagway News site.

Skagway business owner Shelly O’Boyle reiterated the lack of information posted on the website.

“I’ve been trying to catch up on what’s been happening here with you guys. I went back two years, looking at meeting minutes and community meet-

ings. And I’ll tell you, it’s very hard. I don’t feel like there’s a good paper trail. Committee meetings are not recorded, there’s no minutes [posted for] too long. So it’s very difficult for somebody who wants to actually maybe be on the board or be more involved to follow what you guys are doing,” O’Boyle said.

O’Boyle was also trying to track down a rumor that the lunch program would be going to sandwiches in September.

The present members of the board looked back and forth at each other, saying they hadn’t heard that rumor.

“I don’t make the menu, nobody up here does. That sort of thing is done in food services. So if it’s sandwiches, we don’t know. Our food service budget hasn’t changed,” Coughran said.

Parent Colton Jared saw other uses for the funds designated for the nurse position.

“If we got rid of the nurse position, would that money be able to go towards the kitchen staff? My child uses the nursing station frequently, but there are situations, but we have a clinic two blocks away. And I think if it’s something serious enough that she won’t be able to handle it here, they’re gonna end up at the clinic anyway. And like, I think the school lunch quality is significantly more important than having a nurse on staff when you have a full clinic a few blocks away,” Jared said.

In mid-meeting and closing comments, board members responded to the public testimony.

Bricker reminded the audience that the board members are elected officials and encouraged everyone to contact them when there are questions or issues to be brought up.

“I’m stunned that I haven’t heard from any one of you about these issues,” she said.

Bricker also commented on a theme suggesting nepotism during testimony.

“There was a comment about nepotism. I’ve lived here all my life and if there’s a town where you cannot consider nepotism, this is the one. As long as there’s processes and procedures in place to deal with complaints or concerns in which there is, in board policy 4144, 4244 and 4344. So there is that platform, if you have a complaint there’s a way for that to be handled,” she said.

The next school board meeting is scheduled for Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. Documents and letters submitted for board meetings are posted online prior to the meeting.

Zeke Coughran climbs the final hill towards the finish. Skagway School hosted its first cross-country meet of the year. Juneau Douglas came in with the best times of the event, with Coughran leading the Panthers by running the 3.2 mile course in 24:35:01. For complete results: https://www.athletic.net/CrossCountry/meet/226364/info

Photo by Gretchen Wehmhoff