The CRSD Board opened their regular May meeting with recognition of the Alaska State Legislature’s Honor in Memoriam of Bob Stickney, beloved CTE teacher for the district.
The budget committee reported money is tight for the 2026/27 budget, but there are a few points of relief. Insurance went up 2% as opposed to a higher projection of 12-14%. Grants, including the state Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) grant, can subsidize some salary expenses if the job descriptions match the funding requirements.
Still, fuel and transportation costs continue to rise, and the district will have to dip into savings to offset those costs. The report acknowledged “bare bones staffing,” and a concern that Special Education staffing may not meet federal requirements.
The board postponed a new administrative salary schedule, seeking more specificity. All parties agreed that cost-of-living increases and compensation for dual-role positions (like the incoming Kenny Lake Principal/District Reading and Math Specialist) are necessary. All parties agreed to work on a solution this month in order to present finalized contracts to incoming administrative staff.
Rebecca Levine, on behalf of the Glennallen Advisory School Board (ASB), brought two resolutions before the board based on parent concerns.
The ASB recommended the district hire an on site school nurse. Levine cited concerns about self harm, mental health, and suicidal ideation in addition to concerns that younger kids’ day-to-day illnesses were taking time from instructional staff. Furthermore, the ASB felt both chronic conditions and acute medical emergencies could be better managed by a qualified, on site person.
Superintendent Laville responded that the district does not have the funds for this position. However, she stated she will continue to seek grant funding to create it.
The ASB also formally recommended improvements to district communication. The request followed a communication breakdown during an emergency school closure for burst pipes earlier this year. Levine stated some families did not know their kids were sent home, which prompted concern about future emergencies requiring parental action.
Glennallen High School Principal Ben Dolgner stated although Powerschool was supposed to text all numbers listed for a student, only the first number for each student was contacted. He added administrators are investigating why this went wrong.
Superintendent Laville stated she currently has a draft, updated communication plan and will present it to the board soon.
Student representative Timothy Somers was acknowledged by GHS Principal Ben Dolgner for being awarded Delegate of the Conference at the Spring Alaska Association of Student Government (AASG) conference. Somers also proposed a resolution at the conference that received unanimous approval: for high school gyms to be opened by volunteers for an hour before school. According to the AASG website, resolutions that pass are then sent on as recommendations “to the appropriate persons or agencies with authority to act on the resolutions.”
Somers also reported on a task from Superintendent Laville to seek student feedback about a new group project program introduced in late April. Student groups are tasked to work on projects beginning in ninth grade and continuing on to a finished project at the end of senior year.
Some students were concerned that the projects were introduced so late in the school year, concerned about upperclassmen coming onboard in the middle of the project timeline, and worried that an additional graduation requirement could cause a struggle. Some students were dissatisfied they were placed in groups without being able to choose. Other students saw promise in having a cooperative project and thought it could be “promising,” or even “amazing.”
Board member Lacayah Engebretson echoed student concerns about adding a graduation requirement and wanted to ensure there were some “guardrails.”
Principal Dolgner stated requirements for 9-11 graders this school year are simply to write down potential project ideas, which he thinks the students can handle before the end of the year.
In his report to the board, Slana Lead Teacher Dave Rojeck expressed condolences to the family of Freddy Nicolai, Sr, saying “Freddy was an excellent example of stewardship that we would all do well to emulate.”
Upstream Learning Lead Teacher Mark Proch reported there will be 12 graduates this spring. He also is working on outreach to area families with young children, and has recruited four families from the Mat-Su area to the program.
Sheryl Ross acknowledged the hard work of special education teachers and support staff despite being understaffed.
Several administrative reports noted volunteer and community support during state testing, including meals and treats.
New hires include Douglass Dunn as Glennallen School’s assistant principal and Rebecca (Clara) Dunn as District reading/math specialist and Kenny Lake School principal. The Dunns are currently working as educators in Morocco. Laville stated Mr. Dunn has a technology background, and will also chair the technology committee next year.
Tiambria Phillips will be hired as the fifth-grade teacher at Glennallen Elementary School. Phillips has worked in the district as a paraprofessional. She is in training for a teacher certificate and has received emergency certification to enable her to take the teaching position while still completing her studies.
Russell Joannes will be the new Glennallen High School math teacher.
Naomi Stickney, executive administrative assistant to the superintendent and the board of education, will resign effective June 30.
The board reluctantly approved $76,695 in two technology contracts with SERRC, noting that while costs are high and in-person support is lacking, there are few alternative providers.
This was the last meeting attended by Student Representatives, who were acknowledged by the board. The next CRSD regular board meeting will be June 2 at the District Office.
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