Board approves updated cell-phone policy, tables amended budget request and rejects travel to Juneau

At its Jan. 14 meeting the Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District board approved revisions to BP 5138 (student personal electronic device and cell-phone use) after discussion of school-level practices and sanctions, tabled proposed FY25–26 operating fund budget revisions pending additional review, and declined a proposal for board travel to Juneau for the AASB legislative fly-in.

On BP 5138, administration described existing middle-school practice of "away for the day" (phones put away on arrival) and said the proposed revisions clarify limited instructional exceptions and medical/translation uses; board members discussed sanctions language and preferred stronger office-based communication protocols. The motion to adopt the revisions passed 6–1 by roll call.

On budget matters, the board opened a public hearing on proposed operating fund adjustments (a revenue decrease of $191,000 and an expenditures net decrease of $335,235) but ultimately tabled the item to the Jan. 28 meeting so new consultant Lisa Pierce can review borough suggestions about a discretionary contribution and funding allocations.

The board also rejected a motion to send members to the AASB legislative fly-in in Juneau, citing likely cost (~$9,000) and low probability of an increased Base Student Allocation; that motion failed 0–7.

What's next: The budget revisions will return to the Jan. 28 meeting; Ms. Pierce is expected to be available to advise. The board scheduled a special meeting Jan. 17 to set superintendent interview finalists.