Ketchikan school board approves short-term business-services contract to cover midyear vacancy
January 14, 2026 | Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska
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The Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District board approved a short-term contract on Jan. 14 to bring in Lisa Pierce of Birchwood Business Services as interim business manager support through June 30, 2026.
The motion, first by Member Jordan Tabb and seconded by Member Sherry Montgomery, passed on a roll call vote, 7–0. Administration said the district budgeted salary and benefits for the former business manager across fund 100 (regular instruction), fund 205 (transportation) and fund 255 (food services); available remaining funds total $90,270.17, which administration presented as the basis for a not-to-exceed cap of $91,000 for contracted services.
Interim superintendent described Ms. Pierce as experienced in school finance, with prior work in Juneau and Fairbanks, credentials from Montana State and Georgetown, and certification from the Association of School Business Officials International. The contract's scope includes supporting business operations, transportation and food-service financial oversight and assistance during bargaining preparations; administration said the consultant would not be a permanent hire.
Board members asked for transparency on funding sources; administration confirmed the contract uses existing budgeted lines rather than new funds and offered to provide additional detail on allocation across fund codes.
What's next: Ms. Pierce is tentatively scheduled to be in Ketchikan in late January to begin on-site work and to brief the board in a subsequent meeting.
The motion, first by Member Jordan Tabb and seconded by Member Sherry Montgomery, passed on a roll call vote, 7–0. Administration said the district budgeted salary and benefits for the former business manager across fund 100 (regular instruction), fund 205 (transportation) and fund 255 (food services); available remaining funds total $90,270.17, which administration presented as the basis for a not-to-exceed cap of $91,000 for contracted services.
Interim superintendent described Ms. Pierce as experienced in school finance, with prior work in Juneau and Fairbanks, credentials from Montana State and Georgetown, and certification from the Association of School Business Officials International. The contract's scope includes supporting business operations, transportation and food-service financial oversight and assistance during bargaining preparations; administration said the consultant would not be a permanent hire.
Board members asked for transparency on funding sources; administration confirmed the contract uses existing budgeted lines rather than new funds and offered to provide additional detail on allocation across fund codes.
What's next: Ms. Pierce is tentatively scheduled to be in Ketchikan in late January to begin on-site work and to brief the board in a subsequent meeting.
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