Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District

The KGBSD School Board is currently experiencing technical difficulties with the video stream on our website for the meeting tonight. We are working on trying to get the meeting up and running as soon as possible.

KPU TV+ app is currently streaming the meeting.

✨📦 Volunteers needed!!

KGBSD is relocating several schools this summer, and we are seeking community support to assist with the transition. Do you have a morning or an afternoon to lend a hand? Please see the attached information and sign up for any time you may have available. Our staff appreciate all of the extra help and support through this transition.

KGBSD invites all stakeholders to an information and feedback session on our District's grant programs. There is also a survey for people to share their feedback to shape future grant priorities.

The information session will be Tuesday, June 2 at 5pm in the Kayhi Library.

ESEA Title Programs Stakeholder Survey Ketchikan staff, students, and Families: We are gathering required input for the Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) and ESEA Federal Program applications (Titles I-A, II-A, IV-A). These funds help provide essential supplemental services and materials to staff and students in our schools. Please an...

Dear Families and Staff,

We are writing to inform you of a cybersecurity incident involving Instructure, the parent company of Canvas, which is used by the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District.

Instructure has reported that it experienced a criminal cybersecurity incident and that the incident appears to be contained. While Canvas was down for several hours on Thursday, May 7, the company has restored access to users as of Friday, May 8.

According to information provided by the company, the data involved appears to include names, email addresses, student ID numbers, and messages among Canvas users. At this time, Instructure has stated that it has no evidence that passwords, dates of birth, government identification numbers, or financial information were involved.

We are continuing to monitor this situation closely and are awaiting additional updates from Instructure regarding next steps. As we learn more, we will share relevant information with families and staff. At this time, KGBSD has paused the access to and use of Canvas for all staff and students.

In the meantime, we encourage all students, staff, and families to be especially cautious with emails or messages that reference classes, assignments, student ID numbers, school accounts, or Canvas conversations. Please avoid clicking on suspicious links, opening unexpected attachments, or providing login information in response to an email or message.

When in doubt, contact our Technology Department at [email protected] directly before responding.

Thank you for your attention to this important update. We appreciate your patience as we work to gather accurate information and support our students, families, and staff.

Sincerely,

Sheri Boehlert
Interim Superintenden

For Immediate Release
The 25-26 school year has proven to be one of continuous challenges for our district. Declining student enrollment, closure of two buildings, and multiple transitions in leadership, are compounded by staggering budget deficits that have accumulated over many years.

Yesterday, I met with Ketchikan Gateway Borough staff and DEED representatives, reviewing the projected 4.6 million dollar deficit by the end of this school year. It is important to note that KGBSD has been operating in the FY26 school year without a balanced budget and much of the deficit is the result of a negative ending reserve fund balance, as noted in the district's FY 2025 audit. This deficit has drastic impacts on current and future District functions. The effects will be far-reaching including personnel, programming, and operations.

District staff is working with Borough staff and DEED on options to address the deficit.

“The District is facing unprecedented financial challenges directly impacting the livelihood of our families. As insurmountable as this seems, it is imperative to make difficult adjustments now to bring stability to our community and avoid a bigger budget crisis in years to come.”
– Sheri Boehlert, Interim Superintendent

Challenges for the current FY 2026 budget include identifying areas where expenses can be adjusted, as well as identifying additional revenues. District staff anticipates making a request for supplemental funding from the Borough to assist with the budget shortfall.

District staff will be working to present options to the School Board to adjust expenditures so that a balanced FY 2027 budget can be achieved. It will be necessary for KGBSD to submit an amended FY2027 District budget to the Borough and to DEED to address the FY26 shortfall.

A special emergency meeting of the School Board has been scheduled for Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in Assembly Chambers at White Cliff in order for the Board to discuss these budget matters.

The Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District Superintendent, along with the Borough Manager and Finance Director, met with Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) on May 5 and discussed the status of the District finances. A review of School District revenues and expenditures identified that there is an approximate $4.6 million deficit in the District FY 2026 budget.

The Special School Board meeting previously postponed to May 6, 2026, has been canceled. This decision is prudent and allows district staff adequate time to collaborate with Borough staff and DEED to review and discuss budgetary matters that may impact the FY27 budget.

The KGBSD School Board Special Meeting scheduled for May 1, 2026 12:00 PM has been postponed. KGBSD Board President Tatsuda and Interim Superintendent Boehlert will meet Monday, May 4th, 2026 with Borough staff and DEED staff to discuss budgetary issues that may have a fiscal impact on the FY 27 budget. The KGBSD Special Meeting will be rescheduled for Wednesday, May 6th, 2026 time TBD.

KGBSD Preschool Screening!

Are you curious about your child’s development? Are you considering PreK enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year?

If so, register for the Preschool Screening for children currently ages 3-5 years old.

FRI., MAY 29 & MON. JUNE 1, 2026 8:30 AM -2:30 PM at Houghtaling Elementary School (2940 Baranof Ave, Ketchikan)

To schedule a screening appointment, please register for the 2026-2027 school year on the district website, kgbsd.org.
Questions? Email spedregistrar@k21schools.

Please see attached information on Voices on the Land - Virtual Summer Camp. This is a Virtual summer camp via Zoom from July 6-17 for students entering 4th-8th grade. All are welcome to apply.