UNALASKA CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Groups of Unalaska students gathered around desks in a math classroom after school on a Friday afternoon this winter. The room was fairly quiet except for some background noise from a basketball scrimmage in the gym and some light chatter and a few giggles. Among the voices was a soft, frequent clicking from chess timers or clocks.

Unalaska City Council members approved several major spending items at their Tuesday meeting, but warned that the city is facing long-term budget challenges. The City Council unanimously approved school funding, community support grants and a capital plan with more than $20 million worth of projects.

For this episode of Island Interviews, KUCB’s Sofia Stuart-Rasi sat down with Superintendent Kim Hanisch on Thursday to talk about state legislation that could reshape teacher recruitment and retirement, school facility upgrades, a new video surveillance system and more.

Student athletes and their friends, families and coaches from around the state filled the stands at Anchorage’s Alaska Airlines Center over the weekend for the 2026 Native Youth Olympics.

At its regular meeting Tuesday night, the Unalaska school board approved a proposed FY27 budget. It includes flat funding from the state, but a slightly larger ask of the city, which almost always grants the district its full request.

Come next school year, Unalaska elementary students will likely be swinging from shiny new monkey bars.

City officials are looking to replace the Unalaska Elementary School playground as soon as this summer. Thomas Roufus, chair of the Parks, Culture and Recreation committee, urged city council members Tuesday night to address the deteriorating play structure.

At its meeting Tuesday night, the Unalaska school board discussed various adjustments to the 2027-2028 academic calendar, including a later start to the school year and the elimination of the district’s spring break.

The Unalaska school board has selected a new superintendent to lead the island’s school district next year.

Unalaska will have to fill another top city position after the island’s fire chief submitted his resignation in early December.