education

The building can house up to 96 students. But when spring classes start Jan. 12, Residence Hall Coordinator Hunter Moos says they’ll cap the number of residents at around 25 to start, then reevaluate based on demand.

Kenai Peninsula students consistently score higher on standardized tests than the statewide average. But a majority are not considered proficient.

When considering which schools to close, Superintendent Clayton Holland says the 12-person committee will consider building conditions and deferred maintenance, potential cost savings and larger regional impacts.

Thousands of students returned to Kenai Peninsula Borough School District classrooms Wednesday for the first day of the new school year.

The board approved two groups of contracts. The first was for nontenured teachers. The second was for teachers who will achieve tenure once the next school year begins.

The budget now heads to the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly, which’ll decide on school funding next month.

State lawmakers failed to override the governor’s veto of a bill that would have increased funding for K-12 schools by $1,000 per student.

The tribe expects to enroll up to 65 students in kindergarten through third grade. The school will be hosted at the tribe’s Kahtnuht’ana Duhdeldiht campus in Kenai.

House Bill 69 now heads to the Senate, after dozens of amendments, several hours of debate and a somewhat unusual committee process.

The three plans are subject to approval by the full school board. Finance committee members will meet again later this month.