An idea to site a modular Chilkat Valley Preschool building on the Haines School grounds received a lukewarm reception at Tuesday’s school board meeting, but members said a final decision on the matter may be up to the Haines Borough Assembly, as the borough owns the school property.
Preschool board chair Alissa Henry apprised the board of the preschool’s preferred alternative. At a Monday meeting, preschool board members said the school grounds would provide required playground space and voiced hope they could get a spot without leasing land.
The preschool would buy and erect the structure and pay its own utilities.
School board member Brenda Josephson asked if, under such an arrangement, public funds would be supporting a private school. Board chair Anne Marie Palmieri disagreed with the implication that the preschool might be competing with a public offering.
“The Chilkat Valley Preschool is not an alternative to public preschool because there is no public preschool,” Palmieri said.
District superintendent Michael Byer suggested the preschool lease a site on the former Elks Lodge property. Under such an arrangement, the Haines School might be able to contract to provide a food program and gym time to the preschool, he said. Byer said he couldn’t think of an ideal spot at the school campus for the preschool.
Board member Brian Clay also said the Elks property might be the best, short-term solution.
Palmieri suggested a one-acre parcel west of the school next to an RV park there. “It’s wooded and would have to be cleared, but it’s borough land.”
Board member Sara Chapell, a former president of the preschool, suggested a lot north of the school between it and Main Street, or another area on the campus west of the school where snow is stored.
Board member Lisa Schwartz said maintaining a preschool here was a community responsibility and that the borough and preschool needed to work collaboratively to see that needs were met.
Byer said, “We certainly support the idea of preschool, but there are practical issues that need to be worked through.” He suggested preschool officials speak directly with Elks property owners.
The topic is expected to be on the agenda at a joint meeting of the borough assembly and school board set for March 4.