As a longtime resident, I am amazed and concerned that the borough is trying to dispose of the Mosquito Lake School, for three reasons:
The school has been around for almost 30 years, often under the threat of closure, but there were always enough students in the end. Now, with a year or two slowdown of enrollment, should we sell it or lease it away? It has been an asset to the upper valley.
What about the future? Economic growth for the valley requires schools. What about projects like the Palmer/Constantine mine? Do we tell the families of young kids who move into the valley they must attend the Chatham district or send first-graders to town? What if the Chatham district closed the Klukwan School due to budget cuts?
A borough building/facility 27 miles out the highway should be considered an asset. The school can double as an emergency shelter and a school; and it additionally can be used for public meetings and free events. Could this school/facility be rebuilt again cost effectively?
Mike Kinison