The Ketchikan School Board Wednesday night will consider three applicants to fill a board vacancy. Former board president Trevor Shaw resigned in late August, too late for his seat to appear on the October 2nd ballot. The board must appoint someone to fill a vacancy within 30 days.
Applications were received from Rachel Breithaupt, Michael Fitzgerald and Bridget Mattson. The board will interview the three applicants Wednesday night, vote, and swear in the new board member.
In her application, Breithaupt states that she is a mother, social worker and former teacher. She has not previously served on boards. If appointed as an interim member, Breithaupt states she hopes to accomplish peaceful, positive communication; and help build bridges between board and community members and teachers and students.
Fitzgerald previously served a 3-year term on the school board, and has served on the board of Special Olympics for 10 years. He has worked for 23 years as a registered nurse. If selected, Fitzgerald says he would like to see a teacher contract in place and address the sexual assault charges against former teacher Doug Edwards in a way that assures children are safe..
Mattson has served on the First City Players board and is currently president of the swim and dive booster club board. She says she would like to represent the community and promote educational opportunities for children. Mattson says teacher contract negotiations are one of the biggest issues facing the district.
Breithaupt and Mattson are both running for school board and their names appear on the municipal ballot. If one is selected to fill the vacancy Wednesday night and wins next week’s election, she can choose either to complete Shaw’s remaining one-year term or accept the 3-year seat.
In other business, the board is scheduled to go into executive session to discuss teacher contract negotiations.
The meeting begins at 6 p.m. Wednesday night in borough assembly chambers in the White Cliff Building. There will be time for public comment at the start and end of the meeting.
