May 09, 2020
Saturday PM

Editor-Sitnews,
 
After finding that many/most school districts in this state and others are continuing the fourth quarter with direct student instruction from their teachers, via email, and visual programs, and that Ketchikan is limping along with a mixed;  no classes, a district level direction that no new material may be taught by teachers, and no real effort from the district to inform local families of the State provided virtual classes,  or even the local choice of a online class, this tax payer asks the following:
 
If the qualification of completing three quarters has been established here as the benchmark for this school year, what is a student to do with ¾ of a geometry or history class?  What is the local plan to make up these classes?   It is apparent by this decision that the district believes students have achieved  a competent a level of education so that a fourth quarter is not required for students to be successful in the next level of classes to be taught next year. 
 
Having said this, then the second question is:  As ALL property tax (and about 25% of Borough sales tax)  is dedicated to public education;  and as only three quarters is being achieved, the common sense inquiry askes  for a 25% refund on property tax to the citizens.
 
For parents and students interested in finishing the rest of the school year, with for-credit classes, you should access the offering from the Florida virtual school with which  the  Alaska Dept of Ed has contracted---- at no cost to the students of Alaska.   The subject selections are K-12, unlike the Ketchikan Digital Academy which does not serve elementary students.   In addition, the Ketchikan Digital program has a fee of $250 per class, per student.  The Florida contract includes many classes available in both regular and honors levels. 
 
It is a shame that the district administration, with the permission of the school board, has not made a concerted effort to contact every student’s family to inform them of all the options available to all students.  This option has been available since March 31st and all information is available through the State of Alaska , Dept of Education’s (DEED) website.  Signing up is not difficult.   There is still a month of school and this program also offers summer school programs.  Parents- get  the most available help for your children- the choices are out there. 

Regards,

A.M.Johnson 
Ketchikan, Alaska

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The text of this letter was NOT edited by the SitNews Editor.

Received April 29, 2020 - Published May 05, 2020

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