Klukwan, or “Tlakw Aan,” is “the Eternal Village” (Photo by the Chilkat Indian Village)

Klukwan school staff and community members are working to keep the school open, despite enrollment dropping below 10 — the minimum to receive full state funding– by the October deadline. As KHNS’ Corinne Smith reports, they hope to address possible causes of the drop in enrollment — and want the Chatham School District to keep the school open.

 

Families and community members of the Chilkat Indian Village of Klukwan have said the absence of a head teacher, reliable transportation, and a school lunch program have contributed to the drop in school enrollment. 

Klukwan has had substitute teachers month-to-month this year. Frances Leak is the secretary of the Klukwan school in the Chatham School District,  and she says local educator and grants manager of the STEP grants program for Klukwan, Justina Hotch was hired as the new substitute teacher.

“Justina Hotch is confirmed to be our substitute teacher for the rest of November and all of December up until the winter break,” Leak said. 

Six students attend Klukwan’s school grades kindergarten through 5th. Leak added they’ve also found a teacher for next semester, but if the district decides against closure, then it will have to confirm that contract. 

“And we do have a teacher, looking forward, who’s willing to teach for the last semester, from January through May, she said. “If  the regional school board decides to keep us open.”

Klukwan is part of the Chatham School District, which includes Tenakee Springs, Gustavus and Angoon, where the district offices are based. 

Whether a boost in enrollment in Klukwan next spring would prompt the school district to keep the school open is unclear. 

Principal Bradley King and Superintendent Bruce Houck did not return requests for comment by airtime. 

The Klukwan school bus hit a moose last year, and was sent to Juneau for repairs (Photo courtesy of Frances Leak)

The Chatham School District eliminated the head teacher position last year due to budget cuts. Klukwan families and staff were frustrated by the move. They say the district hired someone but with the reduced salary, that person declined the job with extra responsibilities and lack of pay, leaving the role empty at the last minute.

According to Klukwan families transportation is also an issue. The school bus was damaged last year in a accident and was sent to be repaired in Juneau where it sat for 11 months. In the meantime the Chilkat Indian Village donated the use of their van. 

Leak says the bus returned last week from Juneau, but still needs work.

“The school bus did come back from Juneau. Unfortunately, because it had been sitting in the lot for so long, it was pretty dirty inside, molded. The seats and the seat belts were moldy, the dash was moldy,” she said. “There was for some reason, there was no transmission fluid. And we didn’t realize it till we got to town we had to leave the bus in town, find other transportation to get home. We are still in the process of getting it up and running, as far as cleaning and sanitizing and getting all that worked on. So we are currently still using the CIV (Chilkat Indian Village) van.”

Maintenance staff continue to work on the bus, and they hope to get it running soon. 

Leak said the Chilkat Indian Village will donate funds to re-start the school lunch program, to provide hot meals five days a week.

“The CIV has generously donated funds to get our lunch program up and going. And to keep it going as long as needed,” Leak said. “We are in the process of finding parents and other people willing to volunteer to cook the meals, and we will provide the food and of course, we have to replace some of our kitchen items as far as hair nets and gloves and dish towels and all that.”

Over the weekend, Klukwan moved back to the High Alert level for COVID, after one positive case was reported among Chilkat Indian Village staff. Leak says the move has not impacted the school however, they are continuing weekly COVID testing for students and staff, wearing masks, and social distancing.

The Chatham School District board of education will meet at 6 p.m. tonight, Thursday November 11, via Zoom. Login details are at khns.org. Klukwan school is not on the agenda. The Chatham School board will hold a special meeting with the Klukwan advisory school board next Tuesday November 16.