An executive session to further discuss an independent investigation of the Ketchikan School District is on Wednesday’s school board meeting agenda.
The investigation looked into the district’s actions prior to this spring’s criminal prosecution of former teacher Doug Edwards for alleged sexual abuse of a minor. Following a personnel complaint against Superintendent Robert Boyle this summer, the board hired Seattle-based attorney Suzanne Michael, who then hired an investigator.
That investigator’s full report was presented to the board during an executive session on Dec. 4th. The upcoming executive session will allow further discussion after the board has had about a week to review the written report.
No action is listed on the agenda. By law, any action taken by the board must be in open session.
Details from the report likely will not be released, out of concern that it could affect the criminal proceedings. Board President Matt Eisenhower said last week that an executive summary from the report would be made public by the end of December.
Additional information could be released after the criminal case is resolved. A jury trial for Doug Edwards is currently scheduled for early March.
Also Wednesday, the board will have another executive session to talk about collective bargaining. The district just completed contract negotiations with the teachers’ union, but more groups need new contracts. The board is asking the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly to appropriate about $1.1 million this year from the district’s education reserve fund to pay for additional contract expenses.
In other matters, the board is scheduled to accept the resignation of Board Member Kim Hodne and start the process for appointing someone to that vacant seat; and will discuss school class size.
Wednesday’s meeting starts at 6 p.m. in borough assembly chambers at the White Cliff building. Public comment will be heard at the start and end of the meeting.
