Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

I recently read the story of the new maintenance director, Josh Blatchly’s, report to the (COF) School Board. This is the type of nonsense I expect from an unqualified, “just going to spend your money to justify my possession” type of person. Full disclosure, I was supposed to be in the running for this job, however, the (COF) didn’t even attempt to interview me. With over three decades of construction, remodeling, and building schools, the (COF) just passed me by. 

So these faulty doors open, close, and lock but need replacing because they are 30 years old? Really? For those of you that do not know, these doors are set in steel frames and are almost two inches thick, weighing almost 100 lbs each and are fire rated to two hours. If he is speaking of exterior doors they are similarly set in steel frames, but made of steel, hopefully insulated - unlike the new doors at the Legion. But these doors could have been exposed to ice melt salt over decades and the door, frame, and threshold could be rusted away and need to be replaced. As far as roofs and brick and sidewalks, that is a regular thing and to be expected from time to time. 

In closing, with the history of good- ol -boys placing family and friends in positions to spend lots of taxpayer monies, maybe reigning in the ridiculousness should be done by we the people. After all, the swamp is here as well as in Washington DC.    

Kip Valvoda

To the Editor:

Dear Parent or Guardian,

Wrangell Public Schools is partnering with the Association of Alaska School Boards to conduct the School Climate and Connectedness Survey, a statewide survey for students and staff. This survey measures their perceptions of each school’s climate including the engagement of students and staff.

The Student Survey will be given to students in grades 6-12 at WHS/SMS on January 31 or February 1, 2019. Students will complete the survey online at school.

The student survey will ask questions such as how students feel about school rules, their perceptions of how students treat each other, their relationships with staff, social and emotional skills, and observed risk behaviors of other students at school and school events.

All of these surveys are voluntary, anonymous, confidential, and do not ask questions about students’ families or personal/private affairs.

More information on this survey is available at the WHS/SMS website. There is also a sample survey available for your review.

Results from this survey will be used to identify student and staff perceptions of school climate issues within our school. School staff will use the results to inform their efforts to ensure schools are safe, supportive, and caring places for all students.

Thank you for your cooperation in this year’s School Climate and Connectedness Survey.

David M. Macri,

Principal WHS/SMS