Two new and two returning Ketchikan School Board members will take the oath of office Wednesday, kicking off the regular board meeting. Incumbents Michelle O’Brien and Stephen Bradford will keep their seats, and will be joined by newcomers Colleen Scanlon and Ralph Beardsworth.
After the swearing-in ceremony, the School Board will elect officers for the coming year. The current officers are board president Ginny Clay, vice president Roseanne Lynch and clerk-treasurer Dave Timmerman.
The board on Wednesday might discuss a suggestion from Board Member Bradford, who wrote in a memo to the board that he believes it would benefit the district to add an advisory School Board seat designated for a representative from the local Native community.
He wrote that the interaction and understanding between the school district and the Native community could be improved.
Bradford recommended that the seat be held by the Ketchikan Indian Community education director, if officials from the Organized Village of Saxman agree.
He noted that the advisory member would be able to participate fully in board meetings, including questioning information that is presented to the board. The advisory member also would be able to cast a vote to express opinion, but the vote would not affect a motion’s outcome.
Adding a new advisory member to the board would require a change to the School Board’s bylaws.
Also on Wednesday, the School Board will consider approving a $5,000 grant application to help fund the district’s summer school program.
The board meeting starts at 6 p.m. Wednesday in Borough Assembly chambers. Time for public comment is scheduled at the start and end of the meeting.
