Elections for positions on the Haines Borough Assembly and school board will no longer pit candidate vs. candidate for specific seats. Mayor Stephanie Scott broke a 3-3 tie Tuesday to establish a roster-style ballot, eliminating the current system in which candidates vie for designated, individual seats. Assembly members Debra Schnabel, Joanne Waterman and Norm Smith supported the change; Dave Berry, Steve Vick and Jerry Lapp were opposed. “This system simply […]
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Posted inNews
Teachers, staff secure raises
The Haines Borough school board on June 13 approved employee contracts that include a 2 percent raise for teachers and other district employees and a one-year, $550 per capita “stipend” to employees to defray rising costs of health insurance. Board members also approved a 25-cent per hour raise for teachers’ aides and custodians, raising the base rate for […]
Posted inNews, Elections
Election ballot likely to change
The push to change local election procedures continues with the Haines Borough Assembly still split down the middle on whether to switch from a seat system to a roster-style ballot. Mayor Stephanie Scott has repeatedly broken ties between the assembly members on whether to advance the ordinance which would make the change. Members Debra Schnabel, Joanne Waterman and Norm Smith have consistently voted for […]
Posted inNews, Elections
Cozzi: Election change can’t happen this year
Though Haines Borough Assembly member Debra Schnabel said she is pushing to get a change in election procedures in place for the October municipal election, but clerk Julie Cozzi said such a goal is impossible. Even if the election ordinance passes according to schedule – it is set for a first public hearing Tuesday and adoption June 25 – […]
Posted inNews
Town sends off Haines High class of 2013 in style
With a tip of their mortarboards to a classmate with special needs, the Haines High School Class of 2013 graduated Monday at a ceremony spotlighting music, diversity and trouble-making. The 30-member class includes Nicole Studley, 21, who is blind and suffers from moyamoya syndrome, a disease that constricts blood flow to the brain. Studley received […]
Posted inNews, Elections
Election change hits assembly opposition
Haines Borough Assembly members on Tuesday pulled from the agenda an ordinance aimed at changing assembly and school board election procedures. The ordinance, which was spearheaded by assembly member Debra Schnabel and scheduled for introduction Tuesday, would eliminate the current system in which candidates run against one another for designated, individual seats. Under the change, all candidate names would […]
Posted inLetters to the Editor
Principal’s award was a team effort
In response to the award I have recently received, I am compelled to acknowledge my teammates who tirelessly serve our school community. As you are well aware, it takes an entire team to move as far and as quickly as we have in Haines Borough School District these past few years. Michelle Byer (special education director/assistant principal), […]
Posted inNews, School Board
School board OKs $6.5 million
The Haines Borough school board on Tuesday approved its spending plan for the coming year, including $5.5 million in general fund spending plus $1 million for student activities, school lunch, transportation, Community Education and facilities and equipment. Superintendent Michael Byer told the board the budget represents district priorities for early literacy, mathematics and vocational education, while accommodating a […]
Posted inNews
District identifies $250K in cuts
Haines Borough school board members debated budgeting strategies at a workshop Monday that at times became pointed. At issue is a projected $435,000 shortfall, partially due to declining enrollment, and how to fill it. Superintendent Michael Byer has proposed eliminating a full-time teaching position, an idea resisted by some board members who spoke this week. Another question […]
Posted inNews
School district expects shortfall
The Haines Borough school board will hold a budget workshop 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Haines School library to address a shortfall currently projected at about $210,000. At the sboard’s regular meeting Tuesday, district superintendent Michael Byer presented his $5.9 million general fund budget for the coming school year, showing a projected decline of $462,688 due to changes […]