Despite multiple setbacks at the beginning of the school year – only one teacher, no working school bus, and no cook – the Klukwan School is thriving, according to staff.
“This school year has started out to be the best year we’ve had in quite a while,” said secretary Frances Leak.
Longterm subsititute Justina Hotch added, “the year is starting off in a really postitive way considering all the challenges.”
Due to staff turnover and transfers, the school has one teacher on staff, Eric Hart, who is teaching grades 5-6. The school is currently without a special education teacher on site, and is awaiting the arrival of a new teacher to fill the preschool through third grade position that was vacated by Jen Marschke this summer.
Two families voiced concerns to CVN about the lack of special education services. Former superintendant Ann Hilburn was hired to oversee the program remotely, but families were concerned about Hilburn’s ability to provide services from afar.
Hotch stepped in as a longterm substitute for preschool through third grade.
“It’s an amazing group of students, and it’s a joy to be here in school learning with them. The staff has been really supportive of one another, working as a team to make sure things are running smoothly,” said Hotch.
Hotch also commended Hart for helping to cultivate a postive environment.
Before starting work in Klukwan this fall, Hart taught in Alaska for 17 years. He also fished on 30 different commercial boats, worked on the Valdez oil spill through the Coast Guard, and taught at Western Washington University.
“I always wanted to teach and always wanted to live in Alaska, so I’m living the dream, as they say,” said Hart.
Hart described his admiration not only for the landscape, but also for the community of people in Klukwan.
“The people here are independent thinking, hard working, self reliant, and community minded…My impression of Klukwan is that they love their children, they love their school, and as a community they are committed to seeing it succeed. As the head teacher, I am lucky and honored to serve alongside them in achieving that success.”
Hart credits this year’s success to the staff.
“The school is run by incredibly committed and professional people. I can’t claim much credit…Everyone has come together as a community to make this school the gem that it is,“ said Hart.
The district offered the primary school teaching position to an experienced teacher who is certified in elementary and special education in a different country, according to principle Bradley King who lives in Gustavus and serves as principle for both the Gustavus and Klukwan schools. King declined to give more information before this publication.
King described the new hire as “very personable and knowledgeable in the interviews.”
The new teacher’s start date is unknown and depends upon the acquisition of a state teaching certification and a work visa, according to King.
Leak says she was told that the wait will be “another couple of weeks.”
King declined to give more information about the hire before this publication.
As for the missing school bus and cook, they are making do. Jim Heaton stepped in as a cook. The Chilkat Indian Village government has been providing transportation to students.
A new school bus will be picked up in Oklahoma and should be in Klukwan October, according to Hotch.