Haines School one of few in Alaska to open on time, all year
May 27, 2021
As the Haines School year came to a close last week, administrators and staff celebrated the district that was one of few that started on time and remained open for in-person classes throughout the year during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) provided guidance to school districts, what it called the “Alaska Smart Start Plan,” but ultimately left it to each school district to approve how it would organize the school year.
DEED doesn’t keep track of how many schools remained open or started on time, but director of DEED’s Division of Innovation and Education Excellence Tammy Van Wyhe said the fact that Haines was able to do so was noteworthy.