Meeting Agenda
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. DISTRICT VISION, MISSION, AND GOALS
5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
6. WELCOME TO VISITORS
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
8. SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
9. BUSINESS ITEMS
9.A. Resolution 2025-06: A Resolution Opposing Proposed Federal Budget Cuts to Critical Education Programs 
9.B. Classified Employee Handbook Updates
9.C. Employment
9.C.1. FY 2025 Extra Duty Contract: Michelle Dempsey (Songahm Magnet Program Coordinator)
9.C.2. FY 2026 Classified Employment
9.C.2.a. Coffman Cove: Judy Adamson (Paraprofessional), Calvin Slayton (On-call Maintenance Technician), Jason Wakefield (Cook)
9.C.2.b. Hollis: Amanda Baker (Paraprofessional), Nick Brazille (Bus Route Driver), Thomas Harden (Cook)
9.C.2.c. Kasaan: Susan Byrne (Paraprofessional), Amanda Hendrixson (Cook), Jessica West (Paraprofessional)
9.C.2.d. Naukati: Mackenzie Denham (Paraprofesisonal), Robert Deuel (Cook), Ernest Jones (On-call Student Transportation Driver), Pamela Martensen (Paraprofessional), Tara Musser (Custodian)
9.C.2.e. Port Alexander: Earl Durdle (Maintenance Technician), Shanna Smith (Paraprofessional), Paul Young (Custodian)
9.C.2.f. Thorne Bay: Casey Bunker (Paraprofessional), Tari Cook (Paraprofessional), Sarah Garrison (Paraprofessional), Amy Jennings (Secretary II), Trapper Nelson (Custodian), Jack Nicholson (Cook), Colby Silverthorn (Custodian), Dixie Somerfield (Lead Cook), John Stevens (Bus Route Driver), Audrey Wopart (SEL Coordinator with Instructional Duties)
9.C.2.g. Whale Pass: Michael Dempsey (Custodian), Michelle Dempsey (Paraprofessional), Peggy Dempsey (Cook)
9.C.2.h. District: Karen Clark (Payroll/Fixed Assets Manager), Everett Cook (Technology Director), Joshua Hayes (Maintenance Technician), Alexander Hert (Fleet Mechanic), Amy Jennings (Registrar), Christopher King (Maintenance Technician), Terri Kohn (District Office Administrative Assistance), Tristine Morrison (Related Service Provider Paraprofessional/Assistant & Special Education Administrative Assistant), Christine Page Haufe (Human Resources Director/Executive Assistant), Scott Randall (Maintenance Director), Theresa Randall (Administrative Assistant), Brandy Schmitz-Prefontaine (Greenhouse & Agriculture Program Manager), Mariia Taylor (Child Nutrition Program Director)
9.C.3. FY 2026 Extra-duty Contracts: Jennifer Andis (Activities Director), Kerri Bartholomew (Literacy Consortium Program Coordinator), Cassandra Christopherson (AK-TRAILS Correspondence/Homeschool Coordinator), Michelle Dempsey (Songahm Magnet Program Coordinator), John Stevens (Archery Director), Julia Trischman (ATTSAA Program Coordinator)
9.C.4. FY 2026 Lead Teacher Contracts: Lisa Cates (Hollis), Sharlet Collins (Naukati), Michael Congdon (Kasaan), Laureen Lapan (Whale Pass), Robbin Perkins (Naukati), Mackenzie Slayton (Coffman Cove), Patrick Trischman (Port Alexander), Julie Vasquez (Hollis)
10. PUBLIC COMMENT
11. BOARD COMMENT
12. ADJOURNMENT
Agenda Item Details Reload Your Meeting
Meeting: June 24, 2025 at 10:15 AM - Special Meeting
Subject:
1. CALL TO ORDER
Subject:
2. ROLL CALL
Subject:
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Subject:
4. DISTRICT VISION, MISSION, AND GOALS
Description:
VISION
Students are equipped to achieve their dreams and aspirations.

MISSION
Set a foundation by cultivating experiences for students to develop goals and thrive in an ever-changing world.

FOCUS AREAS
1. Prepare students to overcome challenges and be successful.
2. Celebrate and encourage school and community achievements and involvement.
3. Support staff retention and professional growth.
Subject:
5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Subject:
6. WELCOME TO VISITORS
Description:

PERTINENT FACTS:
The Board President will ask for visitors to introduce themselves.
  • School Communities
    • Coffman Cove
    • Hollis
    • Kasaan
    • Naukati
    • Port Alexander
    • Thorne Bay
    • Whale Pass
       
  • Other Visitors
     
Subject:
7. PUBLIC COMMENT
Description:

PERTINENT FACTS:
The Board President will ask for public comment from visitors:
  • School Communities
    • Coffman Cove
    • Hollis
    • Kasaan
    • Naukati
    • Port Alexander
    • Thorne Bay
    • Whale Pass
       
  • Other Visitors
Attachments:
Subject:
8. SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Attachments:
Subject:
9. BUSINESS ITEMS
Subject:
9.A. Resolution 2025-06: A Resolution Opposing Proposed Federal Budget Cuts to Critical Education Programs 
Description:

RECOMMENDATION:
The administration recommends that the Board of Education adopt Resolution 2025-06, formally opposing the proposed federal budget cuts that threaten to significantly reduce or eliminate funding for several critical education programs that directly support Southeast Island School District (SISD) students.

PERTINENT FACTS AND BACKGROUND:
The proposed federal education budget would significantly reduce or eliminate funding for several important programs:

  • Migrant Education: Supports mobile students with academic and health services.

  • Alaska Native Education Act (ANEA): Funds culturally relevant teaching and STEM programs.

  • REAP (Rural Education): Helps rural schools like SISD address local needs.

  • Title I / IDEA Changes: Adds responsibilities without funding, straining services for students with disabilities and low-income backgrounds.

  • Full Service Community Schools (FSCS): Supports student health, social, and academic services.

  • Family Engagement Centers: Build strong school-family partnerships that help student success.

The Association of Alaska School Boards (AASB) has passed similar resolutions in support of these programs.

These federal programs are essential for providing equitable education in SISD’s rural and diverse communities. Cuts would reduce services and opportunities for many of our students.
 
Attachments:
Subject:
9.B. Classified Employee Handbook Updates
Description:

RECOMMENDATION:
The administration recommends that the Board of Education approve the proposed updates to the Classified Employee Handbook.

PERTINENT FACTS:
The following key revisions have been made:
  • Parental Leave:
The term "maternity leave" has been updated to "parental leave" to reflect that leave is available to all new parents, including adoptive parents and parents who did not give birth.
 
Employees not covered by FMLA or AFLA may take up to three weeks of leave before or after childbirth or adoption, using sick leave first, then annual/personal leave, and finally unpaid leave.
 
Exceptional situations, such as complications or adoption delays, may be reviewed individually for additional flexibility.
  • Unpaid Leave
Extended or exceptional situations may be reviewed individually for additional flexibility.
  • Salary Schedule Adjustments
The classified salary schedule has been updated to reflect the new Alaska minimum wage of $13.00 per hour, effective July 1, 2025. As a result:
    • Temporary pay rates that previously fell below the new minimum have been adjusted to meet or exceed the required threshold.
    • Pay Ranges A and B, which contained rates below minimum wage, are proposed for removal from the schedule.
    • Pay Range J has been added to ensure compliance with state law requiring school bus drivers be paid at least twice the minimum wage. 
In addition, substitute teacher pay rates have been revised to be more competitive and more aligned with rates offered by other Alaska school districts.
 
  • Overtime Policy Revision - Flexible Work Scheduling:
The overtime section has been updated to remove the requirement for daily overtime pay after eight hours in a day. As a political subdivision of the State of Alaska, SISD is exempt from the state’s daily overtime rule.  Overtime compensation will now apply only to hours worked beyond 40 hours in a workweek, in alignment with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

This change allows for the use of flexible work schedules—permitting employees to work more than 8 hours in a day without automatically triggering overtime—provided total weekly hours do not exceed 40. This adjustment enhances scheduling flexibility for both employees and administrators while maintaining legal compliance.
 
Attachments:
Subject:
9.C. Employment
Subject:
9.C.1. FY 2025 Extra Duty Contract: Michelle Dempsey (Songahm Magnet Program Coordinator)
Subject:
9.C.2. FY 2026 Classified Employment
Subject:
9.C.2.a. Coffman Cove: Judy Adamson (Paraprofessional), Calvin Slayton (On-call Maintenance Technician), Jason Wakefield (Cook)
Subject:
9.C.2.b. Hollis: Amanda Baker (Paraprofessional), Nick Brazille (Bus Route Driver), Thomas Harden (Cook)
Subject:
9.C.2.c. Kasaan: Susan Byrne (Paraprofessional), Amanda Hendrixson (Cook), Jessica West (Paraprofessional)
Subject:
9.C.2.d. Naukati: Mackenzie Denham (Paraprofesisonal), Robert Deuel (Cook), Ernest Jones (On-call Student Transportation Driver), Pamela Martensen (Paraprofessional), Tara Musser (Custodian)
Subject:
9.C.2.e. Port Alexander: Earl Durdle (Maintenance Technician), Shanna Smith (Paraprofessional), Paul Young (Custodian)
Subject:
9.C.2.f. Thorne Bay: Casey Bunker (Paraprofessional), Tari Cook (Paraprofessional), Sarah Garrison (Paraprofessional), Amy Jennings (Secretary II), Trapper Nelson (Custodian), Jack Nicholson (Cook), Colby Silverthorn (Custodian), Dixie Somerfield (Lead Cook), John Stevens (Bus Route Driver), Audrey Wopart (SEL Coordinator with Instructional Duties)
Subject:
9.C.2.g. Whale Pass: Michael Dempsey (Custodian), Michelle Dempsey (Paraprofessional), Peggy Dempsey (Cook)
Subject:
9.C.2.h. District: Karen Clark (Payroll/Fixed Assets Manager), Everett Cook (Technology Director), Joshua Hayes (Maintenance Technician), Alexander Hert (Fleet Mechanic), Amy Jennings (Registrar), Christopher King (Maintenance Technician), Terri Kohn (District Office Administrative Assistance), Tristine Morrison (Related Service Provider Paraprofessional/Assistant & Special Education Administrative Assistant), Christine Page Haufe (Human Resources Director/Executive Assistant), Scott Randall (Maintenance Director), Theresa Randall (Administrative Assistant), Brandy Schmitz-Prefontaine (Greenhouse & Agriculture Program Manager), Mariia Taylor (Child Nutrition Program Director)
Subject:
9.C.3. FY 2026 Extra-duty Contracts: Jennifer Andis (Activities Director), Kerri Bartholomew (Literacy Consortium Program Coordinator), Cassandra Christopherson (AK-TRAILS Correspondence/Homeschool Coordinator), Michelle Dempsey (Songahm Magnet Program Coordinator), John Stevens (Archery Director), Julia Trischman (ATTSAA Program Coordinator)
Subject:
9.C.4. FY 2026 Lead Teacher Contracts: Lisa Cates (Hollis), Sharlet Collins (Naukati), Michael Congdon (Kasaan), Laureen Lapan (Whale Pass), Robbin Perkins (Naukati), Mackenzie Slayton (Coffman Cove), Patrick Trischman (Port Alexander), Julie Vasquez (Hollis)
Description:

PERTINENT FACTS:
Lead teacher contracts presented for approval include:
  • Hollis: Lisa Cates and Julie Vasques (co-lead teachers)
  • Kasaan: Michael Congdon (lead teacher)
  • Naukati: Sharlet Collins and Robbin Perkins (co-lead teachers)
  • Port Alexander: Patrick Trischman (lead teacher)
  • Whale Pass: Laureen Lapan (lead teacher)
Note: At schools with co-lead teachers, the lead teacher stipend is divided between both individuals.
 
Subject:
10. PUBLIC COMMENT
Description:

PERTINENT FACTS:
The Board President will ask for public comment from visitors:
  • School Communities
    • Coffman Cove
    • Hollis
    • Kasaan
    • Naukati
    • Port Alexander
    • Thorne Bay
    • Whale Pass
       
  • Other Visitors
     
Attachments:
Subject:
11. BOARD COMMENT
Description:

PERTINENT FACTS:
The Board President will ask for comments from Board members.
Subject:
12. ADJOURNMENT

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