The Mt. Edgecumbe class of 2012. (Photo Chris Todd/KCAW)
The Sitka School District has gone on record in support of continued funding for Mt. Edgecumbe High School, but has no interest in taking the institution off of the state’s hands.
The Sitka school board convened in a special meeting on Monday (2-16-15) to prepare a statement to send to the House Finance Subcommittee on Education, which has been exploring the idea of turning over Mt. Edgecumbe to a local district, or closing the school altogether.
The House Finance Subcommittee for Education is meeting this evening (2-17-15) at 6 PM. Further discussions about the future of Mt. Edgecumbe are likely. Watch the committee hearing online here.
‘Thanks, but no thanks’ was the message of the Sitka School Board, in response to to a discussion opened last week in a subcommittee of the Alaska House.
Sitka School Board president Lon Garrison is a veteran advocate in the legislature. While he did not want the school board to overreact to what may be legislative fancy, he also did not want to play catch-up if the idea of transferring Mt. Edgecumbe to the Sitka district got traction.
“The thing just kind of began to speed up and get a life of its own. I thought because Sitka was right dead-center in the mix of things — our school district — that it would probably be most appropriate if we met as a board and just agreed on a statement concerning this issue.”
Garrison drafted a single paragraph to forward to the legislature. It’s pretty direct, but also nuanced, especially in regard to the idea that Mt. Edgecumbe belonged in a school district somewhere.
The Sitka School District wishes to affirm its support for the continued funding and operation of Mt. Edgecumbe High School, as one of the many important public school choices in Alaska. Mt. Edgecumbe serves a unique purpose, and offers a unique opportunity for Alaska high school students — especially those from remote, rural communities — and has done so for many decades. The Sitka School District has never considered the potential of operating Mt. Edgecumbe High School, and has never included it in its strategic plan.
Board member Tim Fulton noted that the statement “left the door open” to acquiring Mt. Edgecumbe. However, the district has begun its annual budget cycle with a deficit of over $2-million, which will make it difficult just to mind the store and educate kids. The board’s statement contains a subtle recommendation for the state to do the same.
The Sitka School Board, while acknowledging the very challenging fiscal future, will be focusing on maintaining and enhancing student achievement, and we suggest that this be the priority for considering any changes to any public school system, whether by the legislature, the state Department of Education, or local school boards.
The board approved the statement unanimously.
The only member of the public present during the special meeting was Mt. Edgecumbe superintendent Bill Hutton. He said he appreciated having the support of the Sitka School District. Some of the discussion during the Education Subcommittee questioned whether Mt. Edgecumbe was still a relevant model, or a holdover from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
Hutton takes issue with this characterization.
“The difference between the BIA model of boarding school and the Mt. Edgecumbe state model is a world apart.”
Hutton says he’s advised Mt. Edgecumbe students, parents, and staff that the conversation about the transfer of the school — or its closure — is still very preliminary. Even Commissioner of Education Mike Hanley has come out in support of the school — but it has not calmed people’s fears.
KCAW – What’s the overall reaction at Mt. Edgecumbe been to this talk in the subcommittee?
Hutton – A bit of panic. You know, when you’re talking about the very essence of people’s lives and what they’re proud of — including students, they’re pretty upset about it — it has an impact. People really care about Mt. Edgecumbe, and they should.
The Sitka School Board’s statement in support of Mt. Edgecumbe was delivered to the House Finance Subcommittee on Education through Juneau Representative Sam Kito.
