Nelson Island School Site Administrator Michael Robbins speaks during a community forum for finalists in the running to be Ketchikan’s next superintendent. Ketchikan’s school board voted unanimously to offer the job to Robbins earlier this month. (Screenshot from KPUtv video)
Ketchikan’s school board is scheduled Wednesday to consider inking a contract with a new superintendent.
The school board voted earlier this month to hire Michael Robbins, a principal in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, to serve as the district’s next head administrator. He’d replace Melissa Johnson, who has served as interim superintendent since Beth Lougee resigned last year.
School board member Bridget Mattson declined an interview but said in a statement that the district used the same template it used for Lougee’s old contract.
Robbins would be paid roughly the same as Lougee: $145,000 per year. Mattson says the main difference is that Robbins would be reimbursed up to $5,000 for moving expenses.
Johnson’s contract paid $130,000 per year for her work as interim superintendent.
If both parties sign the contract, Robbins would start work July 1.
Mattson did not respond to an emailed question regarding Johnson’s role after Robbins takes office as superintendent. Johnson previously served as assistant principal at Schoenbar Middle School. Before that, she was an administrator at Ketchikan High School.
Robbins is not related to school board member Paul Robbins Jr.
Ketchikan’s school board meets at 6 p.m. in the White Cliff Building. The meeting is live-streamed online and on local cable channels, and there’s time for public comment at the beginning of the meeting.
