Unalaska’s school district has started its search for a new superintendent. And this go around, they’re trying to get ahead of the game with early feedback about what community members want from applicants.

The Unalaska City School District launched its first Giving Tree Project this month, aiming to bring extra holiday cheer to families on the island.

Unalaska’s school superintendent submitted her resignation Tuesday. Kim Hanisch joined the Unalaska City School District in 2023 and will be leaving her position in June.

Unalaska middle and high school principal Mark Alston submitted his resignation letter Wednesday, citing complications with his mental health as reasons for stepping down. He originally planned to stay with the district for 30 days after submitting his resignation, but Superintendent Kim Hanisch said Alston updated his departure date Monday morning.

For this episode of “Island Interviews,” KUCB’s Sofia Stuart-Rasi talks with UCSD Activities Director Kent Russell about everything happening in sports and activities for students this fall.

Summer vacation is over for Unalaska students. Teachers and some staff returned at the beginning of the week and students joined them Wednesday.

A proposed change in regulations around how local governments contribute to school districts would cost the Unalaska City School District about $2 million. The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development is proposing new rules that would limit local contributions for non-instructional services, or special funds. For Unalaska, that includes things like academic clubs and sports, preschool, community use of school buildings and food services.

The Nikolski School on Umnak Island wrapped up its first school year on May 23, following a 15-year closure starting in 2009 due to low student enrollment.

Eighth-grader Natnicha “Michelle” Lord and sophomore Crina Bivol each created websites that earned first place in their age groups at the state contest, where judges selected 20 projects out of 60 to advance to nationals.

In this episode of “Island Interviews,” Superintendent Kim Hanisch talks about staffing updates, plans to potentially extend the third-grade school day and a new parent-teacher organization for the elementary school.