A declining number of Haines School students qualifying for free or reduced-charge meals could spell the end of a popular “sack supper” program next year. The drop also could reduce the amount the Haines Borough School District receives in grants, including one that provides a $44,000 discount on the district’s Internet and phone service. The percentage of […]

Special education students in Haines Elementary School have improved test scores by 30 percent in the past two years, netting the Haines Borough School District a statewide award. The state Department of Education named the Haines school and Delta Elementary School as “National Title 1 Distinguished Schools.” Haines was one of 10 schools statewide nominated for the […]

The Haines Borough School District will adapt its early-childhood literacy program to accommodate for a shift in staffing. The program was launched a year ago to help make younger students proficient in reading, under the direction of teacher Jeanne Kitayama. Kitayama is taking a five-month substitute position teaching third grade. Efforts at helping teachers boost literacy will […]

Democratic challenger Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins assailed state Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Haines, and Republican funding of education at a debate Monday in Haines. State Sen. Albert Kookesh, D-Angoon, also spoke at the debate. Kookesh’s Republican opponent, Bert Stedman of Sitka, did not participate. Schools aren’t staying even with inflation, but they could for about $40 million more in […]

The Haines Borough School District steered a presentation by nature photographer Amy Gulick to two classrooms instead of a school-wide assembly after school board president Carol Kelly determined Gulick’s talk should fall under a “controversial issues” policy. Resident Carol Tuynman this week asked for reconsideration of that decision and board member Anne Marie Palmieri also raised questions about it. […]

Alaska Power and Telephone has overbilled the Haines Borough School District $225,057 for electricity. The error that caused the overbilling dates to the opening of the renovated Haines School in 2007. AP&T discovered the error during one of its periodic audits in July, said Danny Gonce, manager of the utility’s local power operations. Because the school district […]

As of Tuesday’s first day of classes, 280 students enrolled in Haines Borough School District schools, an 8 percent drop that would qualify the district for supplemental, “hold harmless” funding from the state. The district makes an official enrollment count, which determines its level of state funding, in October. If the numbers hold steady, the district would […]