The Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District School Board met Wednesday night for the last time before the municipal election.
The board unanimously approved a 2025-26 school year contract for tenured high school autoshop teacher Clint McLennan. The contract approves just over $98,000 for the salary, insurance and benefits.
The district’s Human Resources Director, Alonso Escalante, submitted his letter of resignation. The board did not discuss the action, but board president Katherine Tatsuda said the district is working on finding a replacement. Escalante’s last day will be October 17.
Transportation Manager Michael Johnson gave a report from First Student Bus Company. He called the busing changes from the elementary school restructuring a “monumental undertaking,” but said the late arrivals have tailed off dramatically since the beginning of the year. The company is working with the district to recruit more drivers to minimize delays in the future.
Johnson said the rocky start was, in part, due to challenges in forecasting the change in ridership.
Board member Paul Robbins Jr. asked Johnson if he could send out reminders to families that they are addressing bullying and behavioral issues in the wake of the new routes and riders.
Board Clerk Chloe Hall said they will begin the search for hiring the new superintendent in the coming weeks. PJ Ford Slack has been serving as the interim superintendent since June, when former superintendent Michael Robinson stepped down.
There are three seats open on the board in the upcoming election and three incumbents running. Two candidates are vying for one 2-year seat, and four candidates are running for two 3-year seats.
Election day is October 7.
