Education

The changes could allow students and staff to return to school sooner after an infection or exposure to COVID-19.

Last summer, the Lower Kuskokwim School District began building the foundation for a new school in Napakiak. But in June, the district suddenly halted work.

LKSD Superintendent Kimberly Hankins wrote in an email on Jan. 10 that about 25 staff had yet to return to the Y-K Delta because their flights were canceled or delayed.

“River is getting close. That means no more school,” says 7-year-old Evelyn Nelson. “I miss school. I’ll be sad all day. I’ll miss my teacher and my friends.”

“We have averaged between 5% and 8.5% of our total student population, on any given week, being out of school for quarantine,” said LKSD Superintendent Kimberly Hankins.

“I think I know where it should be, which is in the tens of millions of dollars,” LKSD Superintendent Kimberly Hankins said about what she expects the Ayaprun Elitnaurvik replacement school will cost. “With COVID costs and, we know, associated increase in materials and labor, I don't even know. I don't even have an estimate.”

Ayaprun Elitnaurvik in Bethel was one of two Alaska schools selected to provide decorated ornaments for the National Christmas Tree.

Applications are being accepted through Nov. 30, 2021.

“Studies have shown that when you take students out of school it has the opposite effect: they are exposed to more virus in the community, and they are more likely to get COVID,” said YKHC Chief of Staff Dr. Ellen Hodges.

Unofficial results are in for the Lower Kuskokwim School District board election. Six candidates competed for four seats. All the seats are being retained by incumbents.