School Board talks capital and reading improvements
Last week, Nome Public Schools Board of Education held their last regular meeting before the school year started. Two members of the board were excused, but the three members present were enough for a quorum, and they made quick work of votes on the action items, passing the first reading for 20 board policies and approving second reading for 11 more.
Superintendent Jamie Burgess’ verbal report focused on one particular topic in her written report: Additions to the Capital Improvement Plan, CIP for short. Burgess said additional projects are to improve security and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance at both the NomeBeltz campus and Nome Elementary School. A report provided to board members said that “The entries are currently unlocked during the school day, allowing anyone to walk in, in some cases undetected. This is an obvious safety concern for both the students and the staff, particularly given recent security threats such as school shootings. The schools also need accessibility upgrades at entrances so students and visitors can access the school with greater ease.”
The ADA project is “to address accessibility to NBHS to include the installation of ADA accessible front doors, regrading/replacing damaged at bus door entrance which prevents ADA accessibility. It will include any needed ADA repairs/upgrades to interior and exterior of both the high school and the elementary.” The same report explains that the security projects “will address security concerns at both campuses to include installation of new interior double doors inside the front entrance that can be remotely secured, as well as the installation of a closed-circuit camera system.”
The cost is estimated at $328,168. All present members voted to approve the addition of the projects to the plan.
Burgess also noted that the NomeBeltz roof replacement project cost estimate has ballooned since originally being funded in FY19. The COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain issues and labor shortages have all driven the cost up, and the project is unable to move forward at this point. A supplemental funding request will be submitted to the Department of Education and Early Development, and DEED will request it of the legislature in the upcoming session. Governor Mike Dunleavy vetoed approximately two thirds of the $100 million the legislature approved for major maintenance.
Board Member Darlene Trigg asked Burgess about how the Alaska Reads Act will impact NPS and how the district will access funds for early education. Burgess explained that the district already does a lot of what is now being required, such as screenings for young children’s ability to read and parental notification if a student is struggling. The bill, Burgess said, is not just about accountability, but support. On the early education funding, she explained that the district would like to work towards meeting the guidelines when announced, as early education students are counted by the state funding formula. She noted a caveat, however, that children already enrolled in Head Start cannot be double counted, and the district will work with Head Start on effective implementation in the community. Burgess also volunteered to be on the Early Education
Committee, as DEED is seeking input as they turn the bill into regulations.
According to the DEED website, “The policy expands high-quality pre-k opportunities for four- and five-year-olds, provides direct support and intervention services for low-performing schools, ensures early identification of struggling readers, and requires reading intervention services for K-3 students who need more help to become successful readers.” DEED is still working on the implementation, and rules will be announced for a fall 2023 roll out.
Staffing issues were again mentioned in the meeting. Board Member Nancy Mendenhall asked Burgess about a line in her report about there being only two fourthgrade and two fifth-grade classes for this year. Burgess explained that while the district tries to keep class sizes under 20, they decided they would have two classes, both around 22-23 students per class, rather than start the year with a long-term substitute teacher. A report from the Human Resources Manager notes a number of both classified and certified vacancies, from secretary to substitute teachers to assistance principal positions.
Custodial staffing was also brought up. Burgess noted that NANA Management has raised their hourly wages to be more competitive in the region, and will be waiving their marijuana drug test requirements, which the district doesn’t require of others.
Burgess said that she’ll be encouraging principals to provide feedback throughout the year, and with less COVID, she plans to make more regular visits to the schools and make herself available for private talks. Burgess also invited the board to the all-staff in-service day, and will be inviting all new teachers to the September board meeting, scheduled for September 13.
There will be a work session on August 23 to address cultural curriculum needs and to discuss adding a formal land acknowledgement stating that the district takes place on Indigenous lands.