Copper River School District September Board Meeting
Morning sunlight in a classroom. Photo by Mchee Lee
Mica Hutchison - CRR Staff
The Copper River School District Board held a work session followed by their regular board meeting on September 13.
New student representatives were sworn in with James Nelson representing Kenny Lake School, Tracey Abraham representing Slana School, Jade’liah Dahl representing Glennallen School, and Madison Carlton representing Upstream Learning. They will attend school board meetings this year, give the board a report each month, and participate in advisory voting and discussion.
The Copper River Hockey Club reported on upgrades to their facilities and equipment including energy-efficient lighting, a new scoreboard and sponsor board, and a newer model Zamboni. Through grants from United Way, community revenue sharing, and corporate sponsors, they were able to purchase new bumpers for their rinks as well as new nets and kickplates. The improved facilities will see good use in the upcoming season, with over 40 youths, ages 4 to 18, on their teams and involved in the Learn to Skate program.
Greg Lee of the Glenallen VFW briefed the Board on scholarship opportunities happening now. The Patriot’s Pen essay competition is open to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students, and this year’s theme is “My Pledge To Our Veterans.” The Voice Of Democracy audio essay competition is open to students in grades 9 through 12, and this year’s theme is “Why Is The Veteran Important?” For both competitions, the deadline for submission is October 31st.
Local winners will be chosen to advance to the state competition, and a national competition will follow. The national winner of the Patriot’s Pen will receive $5,000, and the national winner of Voice of Democracy will receive a $30,000 scholarship. Cash awards will also be given to second and third place, as well as those selected to advance from the state level. For more information, students can contact their school counselor.
Community member Karen Linnell gave a public comment urging the board to take action to address drugs and alcohol in our schools. She would also like to see students receive instruction in core subjects in person rather than online.
Board President Joshua Scott assured Ms. Linnell the board shares her concerns and is working on the problem of substances in schools through the newly-created committee on student safety. The board received a valuable presentation from State Troopers, and they are using information received to inform their actions. Members of the community are volunteering their time to address this issue, and parents are urged to contact their child’s school to volunteer.
Karen Linnell also spoke on behalf of the Ahtna Intertribal Resource Commission concerning potential use of old Copper River School. More details will be available in upcoming meetings if the plan moves forward.
The board approved a resolution to contract with McPherson and Jacobsen, LLC to conduct the search for a full-time regular superintendent by the end of the 2022-23 school year. The recruitment process will include engagement with staff, community organizations and tribal entities, and the broader Copper Basin community.
The board voted to approve the hire of Richard Carlson as CRSD’s interim superintendent. The work session preceding the board meeting centered on getting to know Mr. Carlson.
When asked about his philosophy in school administration, he spoke of the responsibility of the district to provide quality education to all students. He described reading as the foundation for educational success and addressed the efforts to get all students reading at grade level.
He intends to lead with mutual respect and give school administrators the room to perform their duties. He also stressed the need for accountability at all levels, including himself, teachers, and students. In his new role, Mr. Carlson will provide broad oversight of CRSD and have regular communications with the board.
After returning to the board with detailed cost estimates, the proposal for a Nordic Ski Team has been approved. The team will be centered in Glennallen but is open to students across the district. New Head Coach Bruce Rogers is working with the Copper River Basin Regional Housing Authority to reach an agreement on use of trails through the former campus of the Alaska Bible College.
The Board voted to approve a resolution for hazardous bus routes, and Finance Director Sandy Friendshuh was appointed the CRSD Impact Aid Designee for the 2022-23 school year.
Approval was given to send all CRSD Board of Education members, as well as one student representative, to the Association of Alaska School Boards Annual Conference in Anchorage November 3-6, 2022.
The next Board Meeting is scheduled for October 4th and will be held in Kenny Lake.
Disclosure: CRSD is a Copper River Record Advertiser