Melissa Marconi Wentzel

SITKA, ALASKA (2008-05-07) Alaska kids are walking across Asia. Well, they’re actually walking across a very large map of Asia. National Geographic’s “Traveling Map of Asia” has come to Alaska, and it’s touring the state’s schools. It’s a hands- and feet-on approach to geography, and its visit is just about over. Melissa Marconi Wentzel stopped by Sitka’s Blatchley Middle School, where 7th graders were using the map to explore some complex ideas.

Melissa Marconi Wentzel

SITKA, ALASKA (2008-05-06) The Sheldon Jackson Board of Trustees has set a 90-day deadline to identify a purchaser for the core campus, the college’s most valuable piece of real estate. If no buyer is found, the Board could consider subdividing the property for sale.

Robert Woolsey

SITKA, ALASKA (2008-05-06) Sheldon Jackson's unsuccessful tax appeal was based on two assumptions: the first that, although there are no students on campus, a "teach-out" and administration remain in place for thirteen students studying elsewhere. Second, many of the buildings on the core campus are being rented out for community purposes like a childcare and wellness center. An excerpt of college president David Dobler's defense before the board of equalization.

Robert Woolsey

SITKA, ALASKA (2008-05-06) Sheldon Jackson College is going on the Sitka tax rolls. The $22-million dollar campus traditionally has operated under an educational exemption in state law. According to Sitka’s tax assessor, Jim Corak, that ended last summer when the college closed its doors and subsequently lost its accreditation from the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education. The Sitka assembly, acting as a board of equalization, delivered the bad news to college officials near the conclusion of a four-hour hearing Monday night (5-5-08). The financially-strapped institution – barring any successful court appeals – will have to come up with $129-thousand dollars to pay its 2008 property tax bill. An excerpt of Jim Corak's view of the college's position.