Haines School

Haines School

The Haines School Board approved next year’s school calendar at a meeting Tuesday night. The first day of school will be August 23, and the last day May 25. Interim Superintendent Rich Carlson said there were a limited number of comments from the public on the calendar.

“A couple people wanted to expand the calendar so that we would have a longer break at Christmas. The vast majority of people didn’t like that because it would extend the school year.”

The calendar has a two-week winter break. The school administration recently decided to switch back to the former bell schedule next year. That means there won’t be weekly early release days and teachers will have more in-service days to complete professional development.

The board also approved a first reading of a revised board policy regarding conflicts of interest. The update clarifies that when a certain board member discloses a conflict of interest, the other members should vote on whether that person can deliberate and vote on an issue.

Members are supposed to disclose a conflict when they or a family member might benefit personally or financially from a board decision.

The Juneau Assembly recently dismissed its planning commission chair because she did not disclose her relationship when her husband testified at a February planning meeting.

The school board also passed revised board policies on school discipline and safety and married, pregnant, and parenting students.

Contracts for administrators Rene Martin, Cheryl Stickler and Kim Cunningham were also approved, with half-percent increases in salary.

The board will get into school district budget discussions in coming weeks. A budget workshop is scheduled for March 28.