The Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District Board of Education on Oct. 1 approved its meeting agenda and a three-item consent calendar that included two negotiated contracts with the Ketchikan Education Association and a memorandum of agreement authorizing a one-time payment to an employee.

The board voted 7-0 to approve the special-meeting agenda. Later, the board voted 7-0 to approve the consent calendar, which the clerk described as consisting of: (A) a motion to approve the negotiated KEA (formerly SSPK) contract; (B) a motion to approve the negotiated ESP contract between the district and KEA; and (C) a motion to approve a memorandum of agreement authorizing a one-time payment to Lindsay Tucker “to make her whole in the transition back to KEA.” The clerk called the roll for both motions and recorded unanimous approval.

Board members spent the remainder of the special meeting on customary board comments and scheduling. Robbins Junior said he enjoyed visiting with Ketchikan High School students during candidate forums and interacting with rotating small groups of seniors. Vice President Tabb offered a brief, informal remark, and other members highlighted community engagement: one member described attending a borough assembly candidate forum where candidates discussed the importance of adequately funding the local education fund; another member said the English-language learners committee had been notified of a local resiliency award.

Board members discussed upcoming opportunities for community outreach and internal business. The board plans a work session at 6 p.m. Oct. 8 to begin initial discussions with Associated Students' body representatives about the superintendent search timeline, with Katie Oliver participating by Zoom, and a regular board meeting Oct. 22 when newly elected members will be appointed and the board reorganized. Board members said they will coordinate listening sessions at parent-teacher conferences the following week; district staff will circulate school schedules and limit individual school visits to no more than two board members at a time per district policy on board contact with schools.

No public comments were offered during the citizen remarks period; the clerk reported no advance sign-ups. The meeting adjourned after the board completed the listed business.