Schools Fully Staffed, Dale Joins Board

The Copper River School District (CRSD) has filled all open teaching positions for the year. At the regular September board meeting, Superintendent Laville credited Board/Superintendent Executive Administrative Assistant Dreama Dela Cruz with much of the work associated with hiring new staff. New staff will be a mix of several paraprofessionals on track to earning teaching certification and teachers from afar who have not been to the area before. 

The business office reported the district’s share of a one time Base Student Allocation increase will be approximately $474,000 based on enrollment estimates, in addition to $186,000 in energy relief. Financial director Sandy Friendshuh reported “breathing a little easier” as a result of the temporary bump in funding, especially since student transportation costs alone are estimated to be $511,000 in the coming year. 

The school year started understaffed, as some new hires had not yet arrived when the year began. Glennallen schools’ inservice prior to students’ first day was interrupted by a water issue in the building, but that has since been resolved and principal Dolgner reported no other issues. 

Slana lead teacher Dave Rojeck reported the school is working to provide a high school option for three freshmen, although the school does not have a qualified high school teacher. The students are tuning in to video classes Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and travelling to Glennallen Tuesday and Thursday. 

The students ride the Slana school bus to Chistochina when it is outbound to pick up students for the morning, then travel from Chistochina to Glennallen on another bus. The commute begins at 6:15 a.m. 

Fallon Dale will be sworn into School Board Seat D, which became vacant mid term. Dale was the sole candidate for the seat, and was approved in executive session following a public question and answer session. Dale cited staff turnover and fluctuating test scores as issues she hoped to help improve as a board member. 

Dale also stated she has a long history with the district either as an “employee, spouse of an employee or parent of a student,” and felt being on the board was a good way to remain involved while maintaining parenting responsibilities for four children. 

School board seat F is up for election but as of the September 1 meeting there were no candidates registered. 

The Glennallen Schools student representative to the board will be Connor Johnson. The Kenny Lake School student rep will be Mae Scudder. 

The next board meeting will be October 6 at 6:00 p.m. For more information, contact Dreama Dela Cruz - ddelacruz@crsd.us