Photo courtesy of Susanna LaRock
Mayor Carey speaks to concerned community members at the Cooper Landing Community Club Meeting Thursday, Sept. 29.
By Susanna LaRock
Turnagain Times
Cooper Landing Correspondent
Kenai Borough Mayor Assures Community That Cooper Landing School Will Not Close
Many Cooper Landing residents poured into the Community Hall Thursday, Sept. 29. The Community Club meeting was called to order at 7 p.m., and President, Heidi McReynolds, immediately introduced the guests invited to speak that evening. Many people attended the meeting to hear Kenai Borough Mayor Carey talk about school closure. Dr. Steve Atwater, Superintendant of Kenai Peninsula School District, was also invited to speak, as well as Christine Ermold, Principal of Cooper Landing School.
Mayor Carey started his talk by assuring everyone that there was no plan to close Cooper Landing School. He had been getting calls from people concerned about the school closing and what the Borough would do with the building in the event that the school closed.
The mayor gave many options for usage of the building in the event that the school closed, including a recreation service area, a building to house emergency services, or a health clinic. He was very clear that the Borough is aware of what an asset the building is to the community of Cooper Landing and would most likely continue to keep the building operating in some capacity that would be useful to the community.
Mayor Carey sited an example of another school in the Borough that has been closed for a couple of years and the building is still being maintained by the Borough and used by the community. Mayor Carey expressed a sincere wish for the school keep its enrolment at a level that would keep it open, and let everyone know that there really was no need to start planning for what to do in the event of a closure just yet.
Dr. Steve Atwater spoke after Mayor Carey. He explained that the state would only fund a small school if they have 10 students enrolled through the count period, a time period of 20 days during the month of October when students are counted. He further explained that two years ago Cooper Landing School fell below this requirement during the count and the district had to pay for the funding from savings.
“We do not want to close your school,” said Dr. Atwater. “The school is an asset; it’s a jewel. The kids perform wonderfully. Tommy does a great job. It’s just economics.”
Doctor Atwater was happy to hear that the school does have ten students enrolled and he was sympathetic to the concerns of the community, saying that he understood that in a small community the school is the center of the community.
Christine Ermold, Principal of Cooper Landing School spoke briefly after Dr. Atwater. She expressed that she was excited that the school does have 10 students and will remain open. Christine thanked the community for always showing so much support for the school and asked that they continue to do so.
Tommy Gossard, a teacher at Cooper Landing School, concluded by asking for a show of hands from people who had future Cooper Landing School students. There were many hands enthusiastically in the air, and the mood was lifted by the prospect of a brighter future.
After the guest speakers, the subject of Revenue Sharing was discussed. Twelve local non-profit groups requested money from Revenue Sharing moneys provided by the Borough. Because the total amount requested was more than the amount available, it was decided that a percentage be taken off of each groups request in order to be sure that there was money available to each group.
Walkable Community Voted Top Priority at Capital Projects Priority Meeting
Around 50 Cooper Landing Community members were at the school Saturday, Oct. 1 to attend the Capital Projects Priority Meeting conducted by assembly member Sue McClure.
Deb Carlson spoke about the Walkable Community project and explained the work that they have been doing with the different levels of state and federal government. She also explained the need for the Borough to work with Walkable Community in order for the project to get off the ground.
Carrie Williams talked about the Cooper Landing Health Clinic and all the progress that has been made through fundraising and community support. She mentioned that the clinic is in need of medical staff at this time, and is looking for a more permanent facility to replace the mobile facility in the near future.
Shirley Wilmoth spoke on behalf of Cooper Landing Senior Citizens and explained that there is a need for money to finish paving the lot at Raven’s View, the new portion of Senior Housing on Snug Harbor Road.
Sue McClure explained that it was up to the community to vote for the top two projects that would be included in the Assembly’s 2012 Capital Project Priorities List. Sue made it clear that there was no guarantee of funding for either of the projects.
It was put to a vote, and the Walkable Community Project was named the number one priority, with the Cooper Landing Health Clinic the second priority.
King Fisher’s Last Hurrah for the Season!
The King Fisher will have its last night of live music for the year Oct. 15, and it promises to be a great one. The Bar Room Roses will be playing, the full band, and there is sure to be fun dancing and fine dining.
