Wrangell Public School District public meetings in 2025

School Board Work Session re Addition of Certified Librarian/Media & Literacy Teacher

The School Board is holding a work session to discuss the addition of a Certified Librarian/Media & Literacy Teacher. The meeting includes a review of a budget adjustment document.

• Discussion on adding a Certified Librarian/Media & Literacy Teacher
• Review of Budget Adjustment.pdf

School Board Work Session re Potential Hostile Intruder Training

The Wrangell School Board will hold a work session to discuss potential hostile intruder training, presented by Wrangell Police Department Chief Meek. The meeting is scheduled for December 22, 2025, at Evergreen Elementary School Room 101.

• Hostile intruder training presentation by Chief Meek of Wrangell Police Department

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The Wrangell Public School District Board will decide on adding a new certified teacher position and review several policy updates. The meeting includes reports from district leadership and a presentation on salmon raising. Public comment is scheduled regarding the librarian position and a WTA resolution.

• Proposed addition of Library/Media Center & Literacy Teacher position for $73,150.00
• Second reading of 14 board policies including electronic funds transfer, purchasing, and student electronic device use
• Approval of 2026-2027 Principal Contracts
• Disposal of obsolete/broken equipment via publicsurplus.com
• Resignation of Jason Beaty, Assistant Maintenance Director

Policy Committee Meeting*

The Policy Committee will discuss several board policies for review, including suicide prevention and student privacy. The committee will also consider sample policies for dropout prevention and culturally responsive education.

• Board Policy 5141.52 Suicide Prevention (forwarding to School Board)
• Board Policy 5145.12 Search and Seizure
• Board Policy 5145.15 Student and Family Privacy Rights
• Board Policy 5147 Dropout Prevention (Ketchikan sample)
• Board Policy 6141.3 Culturally Responsive Education (Sitka sample)

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The Wrangell Public School District Board will hold its regular meeting on November 19, 2025, at Evergreen Elementary School Room 101. The board will review and take action on multiple new and revised policies, including those related to expenditures, purchasing, and student safety. The meeting will also include routine procedural items such as approval of minutes and personnel updates.

• Approval of October 13, 2025 meeting minutes
• First reading of 13 new/revised policies (e.g., Expenditures Authority, Electronic Funds Transfer, Threats of Violence)
• Personnel actions: hire Brent Smith as Paraprofessional, approve contracts for Cassandra Schilling-Shilts (Assistant Cheer Coach) and Michelle Thomassen (Senior Class Co-Advisor)
• Repeal of policies on Use of Force and Student Arrest
• Superintendent’s formative evaluation in executive session

School Board Work Session re Budget Training

The School Board is meeting for a work session focused on budget training and board orientation. The session includes an informational review of a list of acronyms.

• School Board Budget Training
• School Board Orientation
• Review of List of Acronyms

Policy Committee Meeting*

The Policy Committee will discuss several board policies regarding student welfare, safety, and disciplinary actions. The committee is reviewing existing policies and considering sample language from other districts for new or updated guidelines.

• Board Policy 5141.52 Suicide Prevention
• Board Policy 5142 Safety and 5142.3 Restraint and Seclusion
• Board Policy 5144.1 Suspension and Expulsion
• Board Policy 5145.12 Search and Seizure and 5145.15 Student and Family Privacy Rights
• Board Policy 5147 Dropout Prevention (proposed new policy)

Policy Committee Meeting*

The Policy Committee is meeting to discuss and review 16 different board policies. These include existing policies for update and new proposed policies regarding student health, safety, and conduct.

• Review of BP-5138 regarding student possession and use of cellular phones
• Discussion of proposed BP-5131.42 regarding threats of violence
• Review of proposed BP-5141.25 regarding Naloxone
• Discussion of proposed BP-5147 regarding dropout prevention
• Review of BP-5141.52 regarding suicide prevention

School Board Work Session re School Board Orientation

The School Board is meeting for an orientation session to discuss member roles and responsibilities. The session includes a review of candidate guides and community communication policies.

• Discussion of AASB's Guide for School Board Candidates in Alaska
• Review of board member roles and responsibilities
• Discussion of board member communications and community interaction policies
• Review of tentative 2025-2026 board meeting dates and agenda items

Policy Committee Meeting*

The Wrangell School Board Policy Committee will review a set of policies covering student safety, including threats of violence and suicide prevention, as well as policies regarding school-sponsored trips and employee computer usage.

• Review Board Policy 3300 Expenditures Expending Authority
• Review Board Policy 5138 Student Possession & Use of Portable Electronic Devices
• Review Board Policy 5141.1 Accident/First Aid
• Review Board Policy 5141.4 Child Abuse Reporting
• Review Board Policy 5141.52 Suicide Prevention

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The school board will appoint a president, vice-president, and secretary. The body will also review personnel changes and the disposal of obsolete equipment.

• Appointment of School Board President, Vice-president, and Secretary
• Hire of Wilma Leslie, Paraprofessional
• Resignation of Mike Hoyt, IEA Director/Teacher
• Resignation of Leah Smith, Paraprofessional
• Approval for disposal of obsolete equipment

Policy Committee Meeting*

The Wrangell School Board Policy Committee met to review and discuss multiple draft policies on student safety, discipline, and purchasing procedures. No formal decisions were recorded; the committee requested further revisions and comparisons with other districts before advancing items.

• Review of Board Policy 5131.44 Use of Force to Maintain Safety and Order
• Discussion of Board Policy 5131.45 Student Arrest with Police Chief Meek
• Consideration of adding prior-approval thresholds for large purchases in Policy 3310 Purchasing
• Review of policies on restraint, seclusion, and electronic device use

School Board Work Session re Long-term Budget Considerations

The School Board is holding a work session to review long-term budget considerations. The session includes a discussion of a summary submitted by an Ad Hoc Committee.

• Discussion of Ad Hoc Committee Report on long-term budget considerations

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The Wrangell Public Schools Board will approve minutes, personnel contracts, and policy updates. The board will also accept a $2,295 migrant education grant and a $223.57 reimbursement for class expenses.

• Accept FY'25 audit by Altman, Rogers, & Co.
• Accept $2,295 FY'26 Migrant Education Literacy Grant
• Approve extracurricular contracts for coaches
• Accept second reading of Board Policies 5111.3, 5112.1, 5112.5, and 6145
• Approve one-time variance to purchasing procedures

Special School Board Meeting Agenda

The school board is convening a special meeting to enter an executive session. The stated purpose of the session is to discuss a personnel matter.

• Executive session regarding a personnel matter

School Board Work Session re Self Evaluation

The Wrangell School Board will hold a work session to discuss its self-evaluation process, including reviewing Board Policy 7400 and a compiled evaluation form.

• Review Board Policy 7400 regarding School Board Evaluation
• Review compiled evaluation form for 2025-2026
• Work session at Evergreen Elementary School Room 101

Policy Committee Meeting*

The Policy Committee is meeting to discuss and review several board policies. These reviews cover a range of topics including student conduct, safety, and district purchasing procedures.

• BP-3310 Purchasing
• BP-5131.44 Use of Force to Maintain Safety and Order
• BP-5131.45 Student Arrest
• BP-5131.62 Tobacco and BP-5131.7 Weapons in School
• BP-5141.4 Child Abuse Reporting and BP-5141.52 Suicide Prevention

Policy Committee Meeting*

The Wrangell School Board Policy Committee meets to review and discuss several student-related policies, including records access, achievement recognition, and graduation ceremonies. No decisions are listed; the meeting is informational and discussion-based.

• Review of Board Policy 5125 (Student Records)
• Review of Board Policy 5125.2 (Challenging Student Records)
• Review of Board Policy 5126 (Student Achievement Recognition)
• Review of Board Policy 5127 (Graduation Ceremonies and Activities)
• Review of Board Policy 5127.1 (Class Valedictorian/Salutatorian)

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The School Board will decide on a student transportation contract with Taylor Transportation and a Small Rural Schools Achievement Grant application. The board is also reviewing several district policies and a revised salary schedule for substitute employees.

• Student Transportation Contract with Taylor Transportation
• Small Rural Schools Achievement Grant application
• Substitute Employee Salary Schedule revision with a $4,000.00 fiscal impact
• First reading of Board Policies 5111.3, 5112.1, 5112.5, and 6145
• Personnel actions including hires of three paraprofessionals and an extracurricular contract for Adam Morse

Policy Committee Meeting*

The Wrangell Cooperative School District Policy Committee will discuss several board policies. The meeting includes a review of student premises, tuition, and transfers, as well as updates to extracurricular activity guidelines.

• BP-5112.5, Student Leaving School Premises
• BP-5112.6 Education for Homeless Children and Youth
• BP-5112.7, Jurisdiction of School Employees
• BP-5117 Non-resident Students Tuition
• Board Policy 6145, Extracurricular and Co-curricular Activities

Policy Committee Meeting*

The Wrangell Cooperative School District Policy Committee will discuss four specific board policies. The meeting focuses on reviewing guidelines for student entrance, attendance, and extracurricular activities.

• Board Policy 5111.3, Early Age Entrance
• Board Policy 5112.1, Exemptions from Attendance
• Board Policy 5112.2, Exclusions from Attendance
• Board Policy 6145, Extracurricular and Co-curricular Activities

Special School Board Meeting Agenda

The School Board will take action on a student transportation proposal. The board is also deciding on employment contracts for four staff positions for the 2025-2026 school year.

• Student Transportation Proposal
• Teaching contract for Madison Blackburn, Elementary Teacher
• Teaching contract for Daniel Powell, Middle School Math
• Contract for Angela Taylor, K-12 School Counselor
• Contract for Cathy Winn, Elementary Principal

Policy Committee Meeting*

The Wrangell Cooperative School District Policy Committee will discuss several board policies for review. These include updates to student attendance, safety, and enrollment rules, as well as a new invoicing requirement.

• Board Policy 3311: End-of-year Invoicing Requirement
• Board Policy 5030: School Discipline and Safety
• Board Policy 5110: Attendance
• Board Policy 5111.2: Part-time Enrollment
• Board Policy 6145: Extracurricular and Co-curricular Activities

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The board will vote on the fiscal year 2026 budget, a 6-year Capital Improvement Plan, and a budget revision for FY25. Members will also consider the establishment of a Permanent Fund and the adoption of a new K-12 science curriculum.

• Adoption of HMH Into Science K-8 and Science Dimension 9-12 curriculum for $25,535.12 plus shipping
• Establishment of WPSD Permanent Fund (Fund 700) seeded by FY26 Insurance Premium Credit
• Sale of laptop #1919 to resigning Superintendent Bill Burr for $1,200.00
• Sale of laptop #01921 to retiring teacher Arlene Wilson for $735
• Approval of a 6-year Capital Improvement Plan

Special School Board Meeting re: Approval of Superintendent Contract

The Wrangell School Board is meeting to consider a contract for the position of Superintendent of Schools. The proposed contract for Dr. Joshua Garrett would begin on July 1, 2025.

• Proposed Superintendent contract for Dr. Joshua Garrett with a fiscal impact of $136,000.00

Special School Board Meeting re: Superintendent Hire

The Wrangell School Board holds a special meeting to conduct an executive session regarding the superintendent search. No substantive decisions or discussions are listed on the public agenda.

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The Wrangell Public School District Board will hold a work session on student assessment results before its regular meeting. The board will also approve minutes, discuss surplus equipment, and take action on new business including adopting a science curriculum, accepting a safety grant, and entering a facilities maintenance agreement with the City & Borough of Wrangell.

• Approve minutes from April and May 2025 meetings
• Accept $1,131.05 APEI Safety & Training Grant Award
• Adopt new science curriculum via preferred vendor
• Enter MOU with City & Borough of Wrangell for school facility maintenance
• First readings of Board Policies 4111, 5141.31, and 6161.2

Special School Board Meeting re: Superintendent Search

The Wrangell School Board is holding a special meeting to conduct an executive session. The sole purpose of the session is to discuss the superintendent search.

• Executive session regarding Superintendent Search

Policy Committee Meeting*

The Wrangell School Board Policy Committee will discuss several policies, including graduation requirements brought back at the request of a teacher and board member, and immunizations as part of AASB recommended updates. The committee will also review multiple policies that have had first readings, such as student nutrition, grades, medication administration, and vandalism. This meeting focuses on refining district policies before they go to the full school board.

• Board Policy 6146, Graduation Requirements, discussed again at request of teacher Winston Davies and Board Member John DeRuyter.
• Board Policy 5141.31, Immunizations, part of AASB recommended updates.
• Board Policy 5040, Student Nutrition and Physical Activity, first reading.
• Board Policy 5131.6, Alcohol and Other Drugs, first reading.
• Board Policy 5141.21, Administering Medication, first reading (brought back at request of Principal Jamie Wollman).

Special School Board Meeting re: Student Transportation & Superintendent Search

The Wrangell School Board will hold a special meeting to take action on a student transportation RFP from Taylor Transportation and to enter executive session for the superintendent search. Both items are listed under action items, with the superintendent search to be discussed privately.

• Action on student transportation RFP from Taylor Transportation
• Executive session for superintendent search
• Meeting held at Evergreen Elementary School Room 101
• Attachment: 2025 Taylor Transportation RFP.pdf

Special School Board Meeting re: Approval of FY'26 Budget

The Wrangell School Board will hold a special meeting to consider and vote on the proposed FY'26 budget. One action item is listed: approval of the budget. No other business is scheduled.

• Approve FY'26 Budget (action item)

Policy Committee Meeting*

The Policy Committee is discussing updates to several board policies, including those recommended by the AASB. The meeting includes reviews of student achievement, immunizations, and graduation requirements.

• Discussion of Board Policy 6146 regarding high school graduation requirements
• Review of Board Policy 5141.31 on Immunizations
• Discussion of Board Policy 5121 regarding grades and evaluation of student achievement
• Review of proposed Board Policy 6161.2 for damaged or lost instructional materials
• Discussion of Board Policy 5141.21 regarding administering medication

Special School Board Meeting re: Superintendent Search

The Wrangell School Board is holding a special meeting to discuss the superintendent search. The only agenda item is an executive session for action on the superintendent search. No other business is scheduled.

• Executive session to discuss superintendent search

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The Wrangell School Board will vote to accept Superintendent Bill Burr's resignation effective June 30, 2025, and will also vote on a fiscal year 2025 budget revision and adopt the 2025-2026 school calendar. Other action items include approving grant applications, policies (first and second readings), and a resolution to join the Alaska Public Risk Alliance. The agenda also includes reports, a student spotlight, and a presentation on trade career pathways, as well as correspondence including a vote of no confidence from the Wrangell Teachers Association.

• Accept resignation of Superintendent Bill Burr effective June 30, 2025
• FY2025 Q3 budget revision and discussion of FY2026 budget draft
• Adopt 2025-2026 school calendar (draft Option A)
• First and second readings of multiple board policies (e.g., drug testing, student nutrition, paraprofessionals)
• Correspondence: WTA vote of no confidence and request for housing for totem pole raising

Policy Committee Meeting*

The Wrangell School Board Policy Committee will review and discuss several board policies, including a recommended removal of the policy on withholding grades, updates to medication administration, and new policies on vandalism and board meeting procedures. They will also discuss policies before the school board, such as teacher aide qualifications and student nutrition. No decisions will be made; recommendations may go to the full board.

• Discussion on Board Policy 5125.3, Withholding Grades, Diploma, or Transcripts (recommended for removal)
• Discussion on Board Policy 5141.21, Administering Medication (requested by Principal Jamie Wollman)
• Discussion on Board Policy 4222, Teacher Aides/Paraprofessionals (law change requiring all instructional paraprofessionals to be highly qualified)
• Discussion on Board Policy 5040, Student Nutrition and Physical Activity
• Discussion on Board Policy 5131.6, Alcohol and Other Drugs (AASB recommended update)

Policy Committee Meeting*

The Wrangell School District Policy Committee is meeting to review and discuss updates to several board policies, with recommendations from the Alaska Association of School Boards (AASB). Items include policies on student nutrition, alcohol and other drugs, health examinations, Indian education, and board meeting procedures. The committee is also reviewing policies that will go before the full school board, such as the school district report card and requirements for paraprofessionals. No final decisions are made at this meeting; the committee will forward recommendations to the board.

• Review of Board Policy 5040 on Student Nutrition and Physical Activity
• Discussion of Board Policy 5131.6 Alcohol and Other Drugs with AASB recommended update
• Review of Board Policy 5141.3 Health Examinations with minor revisions
• Discussion of Board Policy 6174.1 Indian Education Program with AASB recommended language
• Review of Board Policy 7320 Meetings of the Board and other policies before the school board

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The Wrangell School Board will consider approving a 3-year contract with GCI to provide internet service under the eRate program. The board will also act on consent agenda items including disposal of surplus equipment and non-tenured teacher contracts for four staff members. Policy reviews and readings on topics like graduation requirements and student drug testing are also scheduled.

• 3-year internet service contract with GCI (eRate)
• Non-tenured teacher contracts for Ryan Hayes, Ann Hegney, Michael Hoyt (.28 FTE), Holly Padilla
• Disposal of surplus equipment
• Second reading of policy on graduation requirements (BP 6146) and first reading on student extracurricular random drug testing (BP 5131.61)
• Student recognition and reports from administrators

Policy Committee Meeting*

The Wrangell School District Policy Committee is discussing revisions to multiple board policies, including changes to paraprofessional qualifications and graduation requirements. The committee is also reviewing policies related to Indian Education, board meetings, and agenda materials. Several policies that are before the school board are being discussed, such as volunteer assistance and student drug testing.

• Review of Board Policy 4222 requiring all instructional paraprofessionals to be highly qualified
• Discussion of Board Policy 6146 on graduation requirements with comments from Mr. Howe
• Review of Board Policy 6174.1 Indian Education Program with AASB recommended language
• Discussion of Board Policy 1250 on volunteer assistance heading to the school board
• Review of Board Policy 5123 on promotion/acceleration/retention with AASB sample language

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The board will conduct a public hearing regarding the draft FY2026 budget. The meeting also includes a review of multiple board policies and personnel contract approvals.

• Public hearing on the FY2026 Draft Budget
• First and second readings of 14 board policies, including graduation requirements and board member compensation
• Extracurricular contracts for Brian Herman and Madison Beckrow (Schwartz) for Middle School Volleyball
• Extracurricular contract for Kaelene Harrison as Senior Class Advisor
• Resignations of Marsha McCay and Angela McGovern

Policy Committee Meeting*

The Wrangell School District Policy Committee will discuss and review multiple board policies, including graduation requirements and random drug testing. No decisions are scheduled; the committee is deliberating before making recommendations to the full school board.

• Review of Board Policy 6146 Graduation Requirements with a recommendation attached
• Discussion of Board Policy 5131.61 Student Extracurricular Activities Random Drug Testing
• Discussion of Board Policy 5141.21 Administering Medication
• Review of Board Policy 4218 Classified Employee Dismissal/Suspension/Disciplinary Action
• Discussion of Board Policy 4155.1 Repeal Tax Sheltered Annuities

Policy Committee Meeting*

The Wrangell School District Policy Committee is discussing multiple board policies including random drug testing for student activities, graduation requirements, and classified staff procedures. No votes are scheduled; items are under review for potential recommendation to the full school board.

• Board Policy 5131.61: Random drug testing for student extracurricular activities (discussion)
• Board Policy 6146: Graduation requirements alignment with state and Alaska Performance Scholarship (discussion)
• Board Policy 4155.1: Tax sheltered annuities for employees (discussion)
• Board Policy 7250: Board member compensation and expenses (discussion, referencing Annette Island's policy)
• Board Policy 4218: Classified employee dismissal/suspension/disciplinary action (discussion)

Regular Board Meeting Agenda

The board will vote on a Quarter 2 budget revision for the current school year and discuss draft assumptions for the 2025-2026 budget. Under consent agenda, the board will approve contracts for tenured teachers, directors Tony Anzalone and Kevin McCallister, and principals Greg Clark and Jamie Wollman for the upcoming year. Multiple board policies will receive second readings and a few will be introduced for the first time.

• 2024-2025 Quarter 2 Budget Revision (action)
• 2025-2026 Budget Assumptions/Draft I (discussion)
• Second readings of 10 board policies including Professional Boundaries, Travel Authorization, and Salary Guides
• Consent agenda: 2025-2026 tenured teacher contracts, director contracts (Anzalone, McCallister), and principal contracts (Clark, Wollman)
• First readings of policies on classified staff recruitment, evaluation, and certified staff code of ethics

Policy Committee Meeting*

The Wrangell School District Policy Committee is meeting to review and discuss a wide range of board policies, including a proposal to adopt three new policies (BP-4000, BP-4251, BP-4253) that would replace the current Personnel Salaries policy (BP-4151). The committee will also review policies on tax-sheltered annuities, probationary status, resignation, medication administration, student representative to the board, board member compensation and expenses, and several other personnel and administrative policies. Additionally, a revision to graduation requirements policy is being forwarded to a school board task force.

• Proposal to adopt new policies BP-4000 (Concepts and Roles), BP-4251 (Salary Guides - Exempt Employees), and BP-4253 (Classified Personnel Overtime Pay/Flexible Time-Off) to replace and repeal existing BP-4151 (Personnel Salaries)
• Review of Board Policy 4155.1 Tax Sheltered Annuities (research pending)
• Discussion of Board Policy 4216 Probationary Status
• Discussion of Board Policy 5141.21 Administering Medication
• Graduation requirements policy (BP 6146) forwarded to a task force for revision to align with state requirements and Alaska Performance Scholarship

School Board Work Session re Strategic Plan Review

This is a work session for the Wrangell School Board to review the district's strategic plan and discuss curriculum and high school credits. No votes or formal decisions are scheduled; the session is for discussion and planning.

• Review of the district's strategic plan
• Discussion of curriculum and high school credit requirements