Enrollment apparently has dropped at Klukwan School,
where students returned to class Monday.
The number of students at the school reached 32 last year and ended the
year at 27. The number had dropped to 23 this week, although school officials said
it’s too early to predict final numbers.
"At this point, I don’t know if we have a drop in enrollment.
Typically enrollment goes up after Labor Day," said Chatham School District
superintendent Dr. Vance Cortez-Rucker.
This year’s enrollment includes nine middle school and high school
students, said interim head teacher Cynthia McFeeters, who’ll be filling in a few
weeks until the return of head teacher Ruth Ryan.
McFeeters said she and Ryan will be teaching most high school and
elementary classes. Kathy Carl, who heads up student services for Chatham High School,
will be working out of the school and also teaching U.S. history to high school students,
she said.
Cortez-Rucker said he stationed Carl at the school because she has
special education certification and the school expected seven special education students.
In past years, Klukwan has attracted students who would otherwise attend Haines schools.
"When you’re pulling kids in from outside the district, it’s a big
‘if’ in terms of staffing. It’s difficult to lock in staffing when
you’re not sure how many students you’re getting."
Marcia Hotch and Joanne Spud will teach Tlingit language to all grades.
Tlingit, which had been optional, will be compulsory twice a week for all high school
students this year, McFeeters said.
Students this year will enjoy a completed library project. The school
library recently was computerized, the collection was updated and new shelves and
furniture have been added. The upgrade started last year and students already are using
the library in increasing numbers for school projects, she said.
The school had 3.5 teaching positions last year, McFeeters said.
