Board Approves $800K Boiler Overhaul, Avoids KLS Shutdown
Allison Sayer
In a second emergency meeting December 20, the Copper River School District (CRSD) Board approved the expenditure of up to $800,000 from savings to replace the Kenny Lake School (KLS) boiler system. Temporary closure of KLS was among the alternatives discussed over the course of two prior meetings.
CRSD Maintenance Director Jim Kistler reported at the December 3 regular board meeting that one of the two school boilers had broken a chamber November 24 and was beyond repair. He described his efforts to keep the current system, which is over 50 years old, running. He reported he stuffs styrofoam into duct work during cold snaps, and frequently rebuilds pumps that fill with metal from corrosion. He also stated the difficulty of finding parts is increasing.
Kistler stated the building would continue to have problems if the district replaced a boiler without making updates to the associated plumbing and ventilation. He also stated an expectation the upgrades, while costly, would save on heating fuel costs.
CRSD Superintendent Theresa Laville and Financial Director Sandy Friendshuh anticipate the funds can be reimbursed by state Capital Improvement Funds (CIP). The Glennallen School roof replacement, which occurred after ice dams caused damage, went through a similar process. That project had cost approximately $580,000.
Laville emphasized staff are “following the steps” required for a CIP reimbursement, including a survey the board authorized earlier in December. The timeframe of reimbursements is uncertain, and can be well over a year. When pressed, the administrators could not guarantee the reimbursement. However, Friendshuh noted the district had “never put in for a CIP reimbursement and not got it, as far as I know.”
The board held an emergency meeting December 13 to vote on the proposed expenditure, and the vote was 3-2 in favor. Four votes are required to authorize the expenditure, which prompted the second meeting attended by seven board members. Mark Somerville and Heidi Jacobsen had been absent from the December 13 meeting.
Board members Anna Bell-Hand and Lacayah Engebretson had voted against the expenditure on December 13.
On December 20, Bell-Hand stated that she was “not trying to close any schools,” by voting against the proposal earlier. She said she was asked to authorize a large expenditure with scanty information. “I want to see figures,” she said. She stated she had since received more details about the proposed purchase, and now felt more comfortable voting in its favor.
Engebretson remained the lone “no” vote, stating concern about the “proportionality of spending” per student. She expressed concern about the uncertainty of reimbursement amounts and timeframes, in addition to concern about creating a poor financial situation for the district as a whole.
Over 50 people attended the meeting over Zoom. Nine members of the public attended in person.
Corina Ewan, representing the Native Village of Chitina, Bill Hand, representing the Native Village of Kluti-Kaah, and Jeff Doty, representing the Chitina Native Corporation, pledged to support efforts to keep Kenny Lake School open, including letters of support, consulting, and grant writing assistance. They emphasized the importance of the school to their members.
State Representative Rebecca Schwanke and State Senator Mike Cronk also stated support, adding they would do their best to advocate for the funds. Cronk complimented Kistler for keeping the system going for as long as he had. Schwanke noted the state’s capital budget was the smallest it had been in a long time, so it could take time to see any reimbursement.
Former KLS student Taylor Dolge, former KLS teacher David Wellman, 4H instructor Patty Miller, Native Village of Chitina Tribal Administrator Dean Barlip, and community member Julie Knutson all commented they supported keeping the school open and functioning.
Community member Odis Brawner expressed concern about funds being released without a bidding process. CRSD parent Sarah Dolge had questions regarding contingency plans if the school can not reopen in January due to potential installation delays.
The project, as approved, will occur in two phases. During the first “emergency” phase, approximately half the funds will be made available to purchase what is needed to keep the school warm for the remainder of the school year. The second phase of upgrades will occur over the summer, and multiple bids will be sought.
More information, past agendas, and minutes are available on the Board of Education section of the CRSD website.