Sitka School Board extends Superintendent Deidre Jenson's contract through 2029

The Sitka School Board voted Oct. 7 to extend Superintendent Deidre Jenson's contract through June 30, 2029, the end of the 2028-29 school year, according to draft minutes in the board's Nov. 3 meeting packet.

The board reviewed the contract in a closed executive session from 8:01 pm to 8:33 pm. It cited a state open meetings exception for subjects that tend to prejudice the reputation and character of a person. Under that exception, the person being discussed may ask for a public discussion.

When the board returned to open session, Clerk Courtney Amundson moved to extend the contract and approve contract language revised by board President Phil Burdick, as the board had authorized. Burdick, who attended by Zoom, seconded. The motion passed without opposition on a roll call vote.

The unsigned Oct. 7 minutes are on the consent agenda for the board's regular meeting Tuesday at 5:45 pm in the Sitka High School Library. Consent items are approved in one motion unless a board member asks to pull one.

The district reported enrollment of 1,019 students at the Oct. 7 meeting, counting part-time students. That night the board also approved a budget revision that includes an Energy Relief Grant of about $324,860 and about $1.1 million in one-time state funding.

In a March 30 House floor session, Rep. Rebecca Himschoot of Sitka introduced Jenson and said she hoped Jenson could beat the average three-year tenure of an Alaska superintendent.

The board reorganized Oct. 16, after Burdick, Matt Potter and Kat Richards took the oath of office. Members reelected Burdick president and chose Paul Rioux as vice president and Amundson as clerk.