12/16/1968 RMDon Bullock
i 1rs . Hajdu
Mrs. Springhill
Don Arndt
Jim Barr
Sam Best
ITEMS DISCUSSED
_SRECIAL I EETINa; ASSEMBLY AND SCHOOL BOARD, DECEMBER 16, 1968
The meeting was called to order at 5 00 P.Ti. by President Emil Norton, in
the Main School library, Kodiak, Alaska
PRESENT
Emil Norton
Mrs. Johnson
Mts. Horn
James Fulp
Jim Branson
Mr. Schott
Also present Mr. Bill Gregory, Mrs. Pedersen and Mr. Larry Craig
A. Plans for High School and Village Schools; Mr. Best stated that Mr.
Tom Dowd was due here last week but bad weather prevented his arrival
and he is scheduled to be here around the middle of January. The Assembly
meeting will be January 16th and he will be able to answer questions on
the bonding program. A call has been received from Mr. Durkee and Mr. Hobbs
suggesting that in order to get the funds faster the program should be
broken into two phases. Phase one would be the feasibility and space re-
quirement study and we would have at our disposal about $15,000 to $20,000
right, way. Mr. Durkee had talked to Mr. Crittenden and the papers for
this should be forthcoming very shortly, setting up this two -phase part.
The study should be started so that the money can be received.
Mr. Norton stated that the planning is the responsibility of the Borough
and it should be started as soon as possible so that the planning funds
will not be lost. Three years ago we first put in fir the application and
every year Kodiak has been about sixth on the list, now this year it looks
like we will receive the funds and we should not waste this opportunity.
He asked if it was the responsibility of the Assembly or the School Board.
sir. Best that phone calls have been received assuring us that the money is
ours and-tharwe definitely are getting the funds. The School Board
wants the agreement signed by the "Chairman so it is the•Borough's'
responsibility
13r. Norton stated that the school board feels that immediate consideration
is to get this high school built before any other Borough schools go into
the planning stage. If the bonds are sold perhaps the Ouzinkie school
could possibly go ahead but not any others. The present need is in Kodiak
as many of the Borough children will be coming into Kodiak.
firs. Hajdu asked if the kindergarden enrollment figures are really down and
could it be due to economic situation?
Mr. Norton replied that there has been a little loss in the kindergarden
enrollment and it may have a connection with the economical situation but
there has been no loss in the Junior High enrollment. Mrs. Horn mentioned
that there will be a continued increase in the high school from Village and—
State children, and boarding homes will soon be necessary for the students
coming in.
Mrs. Hajdu pointed out that the 2 %sales tax was voted down by the Cite ro
the City as a political entity cannot support the schools. Would it be
a good idea to .put the 2% Sales Tax to support the schools on the Ballot again.
If so advertising should be done well in advance. It is important to get jusitifi-
cation to the public for building the high school.
Mr. Norton further stated that the reason we would not like to go into the
Villages and start schools is that at present there is a legislature that may
reduce the Borough boundaries. We do not want to start a school program
in the outlying area and then have to turn it over to the State. We should
wait on the legislature action before any schools are constructed. The Raw
Fish tax should go back to the Villages to support the Village Schools.
Mrs. Hajdu asked if any Federal Funds would be lost by giving up the Village
Schools. Mr. Schoot replied that there would be some loss as we do have
high school students going here. We are being paid $!"5,000 for the boarding
program which does not cover the complete bill, less about $13,000 which
is aid by the School Board
SPECIAL MEETING - ASSEMBLY AND 'SCHOOL BOARD DECEMBER 16, 1968 Page 2
Mr. Norton expressed the feeling that the School Board would like the
Borough to put through for the planning funds so work can be started on
the plans. It was felt that the Borough is dragging its feet in this
matter and not gett_ ,g any place. Mrs. Springhill asked if there was any.+
thing in writing about the irony; Mr. Schott stated that it would seem we
are getting into something that was not even in the application. Feasibility
and space requirements were not mentioned in the application and he did not
want to spend $1:5,..000 on something that would take it away from the planning
fund.
Mr. Fulp wanted to know what the term feasibility meant and did it mean
can we support the school after it is built. Space requirement and feasibility
was explained to mean a study of the requirements to make sure that the new
school is actually needed and how large a school is needed.
Mr. Barr stated that the plans should be completed as the community is growing
and once they are completed then an actual time for building can be decided
upon. Mr. Norton said we must decide when to sell the bonds. Mr. Branson
pointed out that whether or not the community grows we will need a high
school in another couple of years and every effort should be made to figure
the most inexpensive way of ."ling this.
It was the general opinion that the agreement should be signed as soon as
possible to insure the funds. However it was pointed out that we did want
to make sure the plans are right and that the cost is not excessive and way
out of line:. A check should be made concerning approximate costs per
square foot by looking at other schools over the States and a standard set
up. This would insure keeping the costs in line and prevent excessive costs
as:_alrit happened with the staff residence at the hospital. Mr. Norton suggested
that the legislature should be instructed when the Borough representative
goes to the Sitka conference to put the pressure on from there to see what
can be done to obtain help in building the swimming pool and gym. It was
noted that there will probably be some money forthcoming.
Mr. Bullock asked how many regional schools there are and since there are
only two, Kodiak and Nome, he felt that Kodiak should be getting a bigger
share of irony. Mr. Norton suggested that perhaps the School Board should
write to the legislature to put pressure on for money.
B. POrt Lions, 1st Addn: The plat was reviewed. It was noted that the School
Board did not understand what land was taken from the school site and what
amount was given in return. The original site was 19.5 acres and the land
across the road, which amounted to about 6 acres, was exchanged for land
directly next to original school site. This loss of 6 acres was unuseable
land and actually the school has probably gained in this exchange. This
land still belongs to the Borough and has not been sold. It was suggested
that perhaps the School Board would like to examine the plat and decide on
several lots to be held back from the sale. It has always been the policy
of the Borough to hold back some land for public use and when this land is
sold the 'money would go to the Borough for capital improvement.
It was noted that the school site in Port Lions consists of about 2 -1/2
times the amount of land that the present Main School is located on. The
main reason for this exchange was to get the school lands on one side of
the road. Mr. Norton stated the School should hold back from the sale the
same amount of land that was eliminated and keep that for future use. It
was pointed out that there is anther school location site and that this
would not be the only school in Port Lions.
Mr. Barr pointed out that in this exchange there has been a step overlooked
the fact that the Alaska Division of Lands changed the boundaries without
consulting the school directors and in the future they should be contacted
before any changes are made. The School Board will discuss this at their
next meeting and send information to the Assembly. Perhaps the Council at
Port Lions might have some considerations about the land to be held back
from the sale.
IauEST:
4
I:ECIAL MEETING - ASSEMBLY AND SCHOOL BOARD - DECEMBER 16, 1968 Page 3
C. AUKIOK SCHOOL; Mr. Best noticed in the School Board minutes that the
Architect for the Ahkiok School had been paid. He reminded the Board
that a letter was sent to them requesting that neii'cr the Architect nor
Northland Camps be paid until the Plans and Specifications had been
received. Although this was not the final payment to the Architect it
does take away some of the leverage in getting his aid for the quick
receipt of the plans. A letter has been sent to Northland Camps by
Ar. Schott and results are being awaited before any further correspondence
is directed to them. It was decided that no further payment will be
made to the Architect until some other angle comes up.
D. UPKEEP OF SCHOOL SIDEWALKS: Mr. Brothers was present and brought up the
fact that even though there are eleven janitors employed by the School
the sidewalks and steps at all entrances are covered with snow and ice
and are extremely dangerous. Mr. Norton was of the opinion that the
janitors were not paid to do this type of work. However, Mr. Schott
stated that the men were to also take care of the c ; Rinds and they had
in fact been working on the sidewalks. He further stated that it was
the School's responsibility and it would be taken care of. Despite the
fact that salt will pit the sidewalks it was suggested that this should
be done to insure the safety of the children going to and from the
school building.
The meeting was adjourned at 6 :15 P.M.
APPROVED:
Sally B! Hendrix G. S. Best
C 'erk/Treasurer Borough Chairman
CORRECTIONS:
add words that are underlined to: Page 1
A. Paragraph 7 - Mrs. Hajdu pointed out that the 2% Borough Sales
Tax was voted down. Although City Council has passed an additona.
2% City Sales Tax, the City as a political entity cannot support
the schools. Would it be a godd idea to put the 2% Borough Sales
Tax to support the schools on the Ballot again. If so Advertising
should be done well in advance.
CORRECTIONS FOR ASSEMBLY MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 5, 1968
Page 2, OLD BUSINESS, Line 5 - should read " however it could be done"
Page 3, Planning & Zoning, Item A - Line 8 from the bottom of the page -
"Mr. Gagnon stated that a solution would be not to have separate zoning for
the different types of residence but rather one type for all residences."
Line 5, Page 5, "She also felt the larger area should be established now
so that we would only have to pay for one elction rather than doing a small
area now and have to pay for another election for an additional area later,
as elections are expensive."
Page 5, Line 10, paragraph 2 - add " Mr. Goodman stated that the Mutual AId
Agreement would be effective as soon as passed by the Assernbly which would
mean 10:00 the following morning, the time the firemen could be notified of the
ratification of the agreement."
Page 5, Line, 11 paragraph 2 - add: fire protection outside the city limits -
and if the agreement is not passed this would leave the people outside the
city limits without fire protection."
Page 6, Line 5, Paragraph B - delete lash' half of line and insert: Mr. Goodman
stated the Municipal League has changed regulations whereas in the past each
municipal government paid their own dues, now the Borough pays the entire dues
based on the total population of all the cities within the boundaries. Because
of this new rule Mr. Goodman did not provide for the City of Kodiak to pay these
dues.