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Residents are rallying for more time to weigh in on the controversial Alcan timber-harvest proposal, citing potential risks to valuable old-growth forests and community land.

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#KetchikanGatewayBorough #AK #KetchikanGatewayBoroughTimber #CitizenPortal #SustainableDevelopment
Residents urge extension of public comment on Alcan timber proposal; borough awaits timber-cruise data
Multiple residents urged the borough to extend the public comment period on Alcan Timber’s proposed harvest on Gravina Island and above Bear Valley until detailed timber-cruise (inventory/value) data are available. Speakers raised concerns about high-value old-growth trees, post-harvest debris, loss of developable land, and potential impacts to cre
citizenportal.ai
November 5, 2025 at 9:51 AM
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The Ketchikan Shellfish Growers Cooperative is back with a revamped plan for a geoduck hatchery, seeking a crucial 20-year lease to secure financing and boost local production to 500,000 seeds a year!

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#KetchikanGatewayBorough #AK #CitizenPortal #SustainableFishing
Shellfish growers ask assembly to reconsider geoduck hatchery lease, cite 20-year finance need
Paul Fuess of the Ketchikan Shellfish Growers Cooperative told the assembly the group resubmitted a hatchery lease application after construction-cost increases tied to steel tariffs required a revised financing plan. He said the project needs a 20-year lease to secure financing, expects to produce 500,000 seed per year, and is not requesting money
citizenportal.ai
November 5, 2025 at 7:19 AM
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The Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly has approved a controversial increase in the community residential disposal fee, raising it from $23.57 to $27.34 to tackle rising operational costs and future needs at the Deer Mountain facility.

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Assembly adopts higher community solid-waste disposal fee amid cost pressures
After a staff presentation and no public testimony, the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly adopted Ordinance 2091 to raise the community residential disposal fee from $23.57 to $27.34 per month. The ordinance passed 5–1; officials cited higher disposal and shipping costs and long-term capital needs at the Deer Mountain solid-waste facility.
citizenportal.ai
November 5, 2025 at 2:41 AM
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Ketchikan Gateway Borough Assembly is pushing for federal support to make Payments In Lieu of Taxes fairer for communities burdened by vast federal lands!

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#KetchikanGatewayBorough #AK #CitizenPortal #FederalLand #LocalGovernment #FiscalRelief
Assembly backs PILT parity efforts, urges congressional support for Senate Bill 1175 and NACO 'side B'
The assembly unanimously adopted a resolution urging federal action to improve Payments In Lieu of Taxes (PILT) equity, endorsing Senate Bill 1175 (Small County PILT Parity Act) and the NACO 'side B' minimum-funding proposal as ways to better compensate jurisdictions with large federal landholdings and small local populations.
citizenportal.ai
November 5, 2025 at 12:29 AM
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#NoKings 2.0
(10/18/2025)

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November 2, 2025 at 2:13 PM
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The Ketchikan Gateway Borough’s crucial RISE social work program is in jeopardy, facing staff shortages and an impending funding cliff that could leave students without vital support.

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District social work program faces funding cliff, staff shortages, leaders warn
Lead social worker Katie Frutiger told the board RISE social work staffing is down and a federal grant supporting the program expires Sept. 30, 2026, putting continued in-school counseling and outreach at risk.
citizenportal.ai
October 24, 2025 at 9:41 PM
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The Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District Board has made pivotal decisions, including accepting the superintendent's resignation and electing new officers—what's next for the district?

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#KetchikanGatewayBorough #AK #CitizenPortal #PublicAccountability #EducationReform
Board approves agenda, elects officers, accepts superintendent resignation and grants leave request
At its Oct. 22 meeting the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District Board of Education approved the meeting agenda and consent calendar, elected officers by ballot, accepted Superintendent Ford Slack's resignation (effective Nov. 14, 2025), entered a work session on interim leadership planning, and approved a year of leave without pay for a staff‑
citizenportal.ai
October 24, 2025 at 8:01 PM
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Ketchikan schools are facing a critical IT staffing shortage, with just one technician managing over 3,200 devices, jeopardizing technology support for students and teachers.

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Ketchikan schools warn staffing gap in IT threatens device, testing and security support
Technology supervisor Jurgen Johansen told the school board the district is below minimum IT staffing, with one field technician now supporting thousands of devices and hundreds of servers — leaving classroom technology, testing and compliance at risk.
citizenportal.ai
October 24, 2025 at 4:31 PM
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Ketchikan's Assembly is racing against time to refill the Local Education Fund, exploring innovative revenue options to bridge a $1.3 million gap for schools!

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Assembly holds work session on options to refill Local Education Fund; PILT and sales-tax cap among ideas
Finance staff and assembly members discussed shifting revenue sources, indexing a sales-tax single-item cap, and other options to close an estimated $1.3 million gap in the Local Education Fund for FY26.
citizenportal.ai
October 23, 2025 at 7:15 AM
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Ketchikan is facing an invasion of aggressive European green crabs that threaten local salmon and crab populations—are we ready to fight back?

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#KetchikanGatewayBorough #AK #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalMitigation #KetchikanGateway #InvasiveSpecies #PublicEducation
Scientists warn of spreading European green crab in Ketchikan; public permitted response required
University and state speakers described recent finds of invasive European green crab around Ketchikan, urged public education and explained state permitting rules for control and removal.
citizenportal.ai
October 22, 2025 at 11:11 PM
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Ketchikan's Assembly takes bold action to tackle environmental challenges and unlock local resources, including a $2.4 million response to a diesel spill and the sale of surplus property.

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Ketchikan Assembly Cancels Lease Authority with Shellfish Growers Cooperative Due to Incomplete Information
Ketchikan Assembly votes to cancel lease negotiations with Shellfish Growers for missing required documents.
citizenportal.ai
October 8, 2025 at 9:38 AM
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The Ketchikan Gateway Borough School Board is ready to connect with families during parent-teacher conferences next week, featuring exclusive listening sessions for direct engagement.

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School Board Plans Parent Teacher Conferences and Upcoming Meetings
Board members will host listening sessions during parent teacher conferences next week.
citizenportal.ai
October 6, 2025 at 9:22 PM
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Ketchikan's School Board is taking bold steps to enhance local education, from fair compensation for educators to fostering student engagement through vital discussions.

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#KetchikanGatewayBorough #AK #CitizenPortal #CommunityEngagement #StudentVoice #EducationEquity
School Board Passes Consent Agenda and Discusses Student Engagement Opportunities
Board approves consent agenda and shares experiences from student engagement at K High.
citizenportal.ai
October 6, 2025 at 6:54 PM
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Ketchikan Gateway Borough School Board celebrates a groundbreaking approval for pre-kindergarten funding, paving the way for enhanced early childhood education in the district!

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KGBSD Secures Conditional Approval for Pre K Funding as Board Discusses Policy Changes
KGBSD receives pre k funding approval and discusses upcoming policy updates during board meeting.
citizenportal.ai
September 25, 2025 at 11:57 AM
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Ketchikan's Assembly just took crucial steps to streamline property development and update local laws—are you affected?

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#KetchikanGatewayBorough #AK #CitizenPortal #RegulatoryUpdate #PropertyDevelopment #LandUseReform
Ketchikan Assembly Approves Amendment to Borough Code and Appropriates Opioid Settlement Funds
Ketchikan Assembly passed ordinances 20 84, 20 85, and 20 87 to update borough regulations.
citizenportal.ai
September 19, 2025 at 3:28 AM
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Assemblymember Bailey ignited a vital discussion on House Bill 59, while the community celebrated stable rental rates and the importance of vocational education in Ketchikan.

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Assemblymember Bailey highlights Alaska Trends and vocational education opportunities in Ketchikan
Assembly discusses rental rates, vocational education programs, and election engagement efforts.
citizenportal.ai
September 3, 2025 at 9:51 PM
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Ketchikan school officials are working tirelessly to ensure the safety and timely reopening of Point Higgins Elementary School after a recent spill incident raised air quality concerns.

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Ketchikan School Officials Monitor Air Quality for Potential Reopening Plans
Officials share air quality data while planning for the reopening of Point Higgins School.
citizenportal.ai
August 29, 2025 at 1:34 AM
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The Ketchikan Gateway Borough School Board is grappling with critical staffing shortages and financial hurdles that could reshape the future of education in the district.

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#KetchikanGatewayBorough #AK #CitizenPortal #TeacherShortages #CommunityTransparency #EducationReform
Ketchikan School Board Reports Staffing Challenges and Financial Outlook for FY 25
Ketchikan School Board discusses teacher vacancies and positive self-insurance financial report.
citizenportal.ai
July 25, 2025 at 7:37 PM
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Superintendent Ford Slack is revolutionizing the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School Board meetings with a dynamic new agenda structure that promises to enhance communication and efficiency!

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Superintendent Ford Slack Introduces New Agenda Structure for School Board Meetings
Superintendent Ford Slack outlines new agenda planning for school board meetings and reports.
citizenportal.ai
July 20, 2025 at 3:14 PM
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Ketchikan's School Board is taking a bold step towards transparency by committing to monthly safety reports and proactive community engagement—ensuring our schools remain safe for all!

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#KetchikanGatewayBorough #AK #CitizenPortal #TransparentCommunication #SchoolSafety
Ketchikan School Board to Address Safety Issues and Monthly Reports
Board plans to discuss safety report and financial updates at upcoming meeting.
citizenportal.ai
July 20, 2025 at 3:13 PM
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A major tech shake-up in Ketchikan's school district has left them scrambling to rebuild their website after a hacking incident compromised vital access.

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#KetchikanGatewayBorough #AK #CitizenPortal #DigitalAccess #EducationTechnology #CommunityCommunication
School District Plans Website Overhaul After Tech Issues Leave Access Temporarily Disrupted
Chloe outlines efforts to revamp district website following access loss due to hacking.
citizenportal.ai
July 20, 2025 at 3:12 PM
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As the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School Board highlights local achievements and confronts a critical teacher shortage, innovative strategies are being proposed to strengthen the community's educational future.

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#KetchikanGatewayBorough #AK #CitizenPortal #TeacherRecruitment
Ketchikan School Board Focuses on Local Talent Amid Teacher Shortage Crisis
Superintendent emphasizes local recruitment strategies to address Ketchikan's education staffing challenges.
citizenportal.ai
July 20, 2025 at 3:11 PM
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Superintendent Ford Slack is shaking up the Ketchikan School Board's agenda to prioritize crucial updates on staffing and budget as the new school year approaches!

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#KetchikanGatewayBorough #AK #BudgetTransparency #CitizenPortal #CommunityEngagement #EducationReform
Superintendent Ford Slack proposes new meeting agenda structure for Ketchikan School Board
Ketchikan School Board considers restructuring meeting agenda to prioritize staffing and budget updates.
citizenportal.ai
July 20, 2025 at 3:10 PM
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Exciting changes are happening in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School Board as Melissa Reed is officially sworn in, bringing fresh perspectives to the table!

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#KetchikanGatewayBorough #AK #CitizenPortal #CommunityEngagement #SchoolBoardAppointments #EducationGovernance
Michigan Gateway Borough School Board appoints Melissa Reed to vacant seat
Board of Education officially appoints Melissa Reed to Michigan Gateway Borough School District.
citizenportal.ai
June 26, 2025 at 7:11 PM
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A heated debate erupted at the Ketchikan School Board meeting as residents voiced their frustrations over a controversial one-hour limit on public comments, raising questions about community engagement and transparency.

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School Board Meeting Faces Criticism Over Limited Public Comment Policy
Community member objects to one-hour public comment limit during summer school board meeting
citizenportal.ai
June 26, 2025 at 7:10 PM