Eight years after receiving funding from the state to replace a school in the isolated community of Kachemak Selo on the Kenai Peninsula Borough, the project’s fate remains uncertain.
The borough and state have been in discussions regarding the optimal approach to constructing a new school in the village situated at the head of Kachemak Bay. As of this week, they have yet to reach an agreement on the path forward.
However, time is running out for the borough to make a decision as the grant of $10.87 million must be utilized by June 30; otherwise, the funds will revert to the state. Despite an extension granted in 2017, no progress has been made towards building the new school.
Presently, the borough is proposing an extension of the grant deadline and a transfer of the grant from the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development to the Alaska Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development. This shift would enable the construction of a multipurpose building instead of a traditional school facility, a move deemed more cost-effective and straightforward while still catering to the students’ requirements.
While the need for a new school in Kachemak Selo has been acknowledged by the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District and the community for over a decade, challenges persist in materializing this vision. The community initially petitioned for school improvements in 2012, with subsequent funding secured in the 2017 fiscal year budget.
The current schooling setup for approximately 30 students in Kachemak Selo involves utilizing three dilapidated residential buildings, none of which are owned by the borough or school district and all of which are in a state of disrepair and non-compliance with building codes. The decision to close one of the remaining school buildings earlier this year due to structural issues underscores the urgency of the situation.
Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Peter Micciche expressed dismay over the conditions in which students were being educated and emphasized the necessity of action. The proposed shift of the grant to the Department of Commerce would alleviate the stringent educational specifications, potentially making the project more feasible within the allocated budget.
Despite the challenges and uncertainties surrounding the project, stakeholders are exploring avenues to secure the necessary funding and ensure the successful completion of a new school in Kachemak Selo. The recent approval for the borough to purchase the land where the existing school is located marks a significant step forward in the project’s progression.
For inquiries, contact reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at [email protected].
This coverage from the State Capitol is facilitated by the Alaska Center for Excellence in Journalism’s Legislative Reporter Exchange. Alaska-based news outlets seeking to republish this story are encouraged to reach out to Erin Thompson at [email protected].