School board members Todd Gebler (l.) and Felix Myers (behind mic) saw a chance for Sitka to be free to take care of its own schools — rather than wait for the state — in passing Prop. 2. Assistant superintendent Deidre Jenson (r.) said “for the community, schools are our future,” and believed children should be a top priority for local funding. (KCAW/Katherine Rose)

Sitka voters will see two ballot questions when they head to the polls on election day this October 3. Prop. 1 will ask voters to amend the Sitka Charter so that municipal employees can serve on the school board. Prop. 2 will ask them to reinstate a seasonal sales tax increase of 1-percent to pay for the maintenance and construction of schools.

On Wednesday evening (9-20-22), KCAW’s Robert Woolsey moderated a live forum on the propositions with panelists Todd Gebler and Felix Myers, who both sit on the Sitka School Board, and with Deidre Jenson, who is assistant superintendent of schools.