By Fayrene Sherritt
Turnagain Times Hope Correspondent
Kenai Peninsula School District Assistant Superintendent Dave Jones led a Hope School community meeting Jan. 9 at the Hope School. Principal Hal Halverson and Lynn Hohl a School Board member attended the meeting. Ms. Hohl was not at the meeting representing the School Board but as an interested person. A large number of concerned residents and parents were in attendance. With the current enrollment down to seven students of the ten students required, Superintendent Jones stressed that the School Board is not looking to close the school but looking at ways to help increase the student count, which means finding solutions that will work to keep the school open. He stated that the purpose of the meeting was to share facts and was a fact-finding mission.
The stated short-term goal is to have enough students for the 2008-2009 school year. What was needed, to meet this goal, was parental commitment of ten students enrolled in school for the school count next fall. The count is taken from Oct. 6 to Oct. 31. The parents of three students, currently attending school in Seward, indicated that their children would be attending the Hope School next fall. With the possibility of two or three more students by fall, the recommendation to the School Board will be to keep the Hope School open for the 2008-2009 school term.
The long-term solutions include the Borough land sale that would open up property that families can buy and build homes. The Economic Development committee continues to work on ideas for employment opportunities for the community. And the School District is looking into other ways to provide educational classes. Distance Delivery is a new idea. It would provide highly qualified teachers teaching in their classroom, on the Kenai Peninsula, with Hope students “sitting” in via TV or the Internet. Another idea would be to offer, to the home school students, the opportunity to take 1 class or more classes at the Hope School and each class taken would give a one quarter student count. For example, four home school students take one class. Each student would be counted at one quarter for a total of “one” student. If two classes were taken, by four students, that would give a total of “two” students. This would help in the total student count.
Bottom line is that the School District can not afford to keep the Hope School open without the ten student count as the funding provided by the State of Alaska covers most of the expenses needed. Without the State funding, the Kenai School District must come up with 100 percent of the funding. Should the school be closed even for one year, the building codes now required, would have to be met before the school could be reopen. The same building codes upgrades would be required should the building be used for other than a school. There are some high dollar requirements that neither the Borough nor the School District would like to have to pay to do those upgrades. The best for them is keeping the school open and they are very willing to work toward that goal.
After answering questions and discussion of ideas, Assistant Superintendent Jones encouraged residents and parents to contact him with any additional questions or comments. He can be reached at 907 714-8888 or djones2@kpbsd.k12.ak.us
At the end of first semester, Donna DeFrance finished her required classes to graduate and will be the first girl, and fifth student, to graduate from the Hope School. A graduation celebration will be held at the Hope School Feb. 7, and the program will begin at 7 p.m. A slide show and speakers are planned for the event with punch and cake served after the program.
This year the “End-of the-year” field trip will be to Sitka either later April or early May. Anyone who can donate air miles or companion tickets please contact the Hope School. Volunteers are needed to help with community dinner fund raisers, the students will be taking orders for Valentine flowers and candy again this year to help raise funds and the Silent Auction will be held in early March. Traditionally this event has been their biggest fundraiser and has always generated lots of community interested and participation. Please consider contributing an item for the silent auction. All the proceeds will go directly to the PTA and ultimately to the students through sponsoring students on field trips, purchasing supplies, healthy snacks and other class materials. Please contact Angie Motoyama at 782-3202 if you can help or can donate items to the auctions
Saturday, Jan. 19 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. will be Bowman’s Bear Creek Lodge’s annual Hawaiian Luau, featuring Kahlua pork, coconut prawns and homemade ice cream. Enjoy their four-course meal and wear your best Hawaiian. Plus Bowman’s are now taking reservations for their 4th annual Feb. 15 Valentines Day Dinner and sleigh ride. Dinner and cabin packages are still available at 782-3141
February 2 the Hope Social Hall will be the place for “Lets Dance”. Everyone is welcome to join in for dance lessons beginning at 6:30 p.m. There will be lessons for approximately one hour and then the floor will be open for just dancing. Have fun while you learn the “Swing” and the “Two-Step”. Don’t have a partner? No problem, just bring yourself. For more information call Shawn Butler at 782-2233.
The Girdwood/Hope Clinic will be open Monday, Jan. 21 beginning at 9 a.m. Please call 783-1355 for an appointment. The Public Health Nurse has scheduled a visit to Hope Friday January 25 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the Hope School. There will be a Children’s Wellness Fair for infants, toddlers and preschoolers Saturday, Feb. 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Seward Elk’s Club in Seward. For more information contact Lois at 224-5567.
Doors of the Hope Christian Church open every Wednesday morning at 8:00 a.m. for coffee and breakfast is served to 10 a.m. All are welcome to come for a free breakfast. Following breakfast, the Food Bank is open Wednesdays 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Any folks needing to take advantage of the food pantry, outside the regular hours, please contact Burgins at 782-1002.