What progress has been made to preserve this endangered historic property?

The State of Alaska has seen the value in preserving this endangered, historic property.

The State has allocated three, separate appropriations for a total of $3 Million that would stabilize the Home and develop a sustainable use for the facility

CIRI, the City of Seward, the Rasmuson Foundation, the Alaska Community Foundation and other entities have partnered with FJLH.

IIn 2010, the Jesse Lee Home's roof was protected to prevent moisture from damaging the structure.

IIn 2011, a contractor was retained to stabilize the structure, brace the walls, protect the roof and clear the grounds.

A structural engineer was selected to complete a structural analysis of the Home with experience with over 100 historic structures of a similar nature.

A structural analysis was completed and determined that the Home is a viable candidate for historic restoration.

The FJLH have retained professional consultants to develop a long-term sustainable model and provide project management oversight.

Architectural and engineering services are going out to bid in February 2012.

Foundation and hazardous material abatement will occur in the 2012 building season.

The FJLH retained an academic advisory board to develop the Balto School model that will be located at the restored facility.

The goal is to have the Balto School open by August 2014.

 

Who are the Balto School visionaries and what is their vision?

Nationally recognized University of Alaska professor, Paul Ongtooguk (pictured on the right) is the chair of the Balto School academic advisory board. Paul graduated from Nome-Beltz High School in 1975, then earned two Bachelor degrees- one in Russian and Philosophy, and the other in History. While working on the degree in History at the University of Washington, he also completed a teaching certificate, which included the opportunity to student teach at Seattle Preparatory. Later he completed a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction at Michigan State University. Paul is an expert in Alaska Native Studies, Alaska history,and education and curriculum development.

Dewey Kk'oleyo Hoffman, who is a Dartmouth graduate in Native American Studies and Portuguese Studies, also serves on the board. An adjunct faculty at UAA in the Department of Education, Dewey advocates for indigenous forms of education in Alaska and a strong and informed Alaska Native and statewide citizenry. As a novice student of Denaakkenaage', he hopes to progress in his language and actively contribute to ongoing efforts to create new speakers of Koyukon and other Dene languages.

Daniel Becker, a Dartmouth graduate in Native American Studies, graduated manga cum laude. He is a Morris K. Udall, Rufus Choate, American Indian, Gate Millennium and James O. Freman Presidential scholar. Daniel is a dedicated Alaskan educator, heritage teacher and member of the board. Daniel's passion is teaching Alaskans to be civically engaged and to develop young adults who are contributing members of our Alaskan communities.

This dedicated board of Alaskan educators meet twice a month to develop a cutting edge, hands-on curriculum.

This thematic education model will offer Alaskan students a new way of learning

Students will be encouraged to expand their curiosity and imagination.

These students will become future leaders of Alaska.

 

What is the Balto School?

The Balto School will include a cross section of high school juniors from all over the state who will study for one condensed semester and return to their home communities with a new set of skills, expections and intellectual rigor.

The Balto School will offer students a one semester program as an alternative to a four year residential program.

This school will expose students to opportunities unique to any other school in Alaska.

Students will be presented with an array of future career options and career development will be an integral part of the school's mission.

After students return to their communities, the Balto School will continue to track and invest resources into the alumni to ensure these young adults are prepared for the future.

This residential school will serve a student population of approximately 150 students per semester.

Three semester programs, including an enriched summer session, will reach approximately 450 high school juniors per year.

A special emphasis will be placed on models of Alaska Native leadership and Alaskan history.

Native and non-native students will develop cross cultural competencies to better understand the opportunities of our unique state.

Sciences, natural resource management, mathematics, politics, technology, mechanics, arts, finance, humanities, literature and hands-on vocational training will be included in this innovative education model.

Students will discover the benefits and responsibilities of being citizens of Alaska and will leave with a strong desire to be civically engaged in their home communities.

The Balto School will target students to be uniquely qualified to be Alaskans prepared to be contributing members of our communities.

It is anticipated that this leadership school will partner with Seward's existing educational facilities including Seward High School, Alaska Vocational Technical Center, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Alaska Science Learning Laboratories, Boys and Girls Club, the Marine Science Center, Kenai Peninsula College, UAA, UAF, Matsu, the Chugach Museum and Institute of History and Art, the proposed Seward Library/Museum and the Alaska SeaLife Center.

The Balto School will expose students to Seward's greatest learning resources that would otherwise be inaccessible for many rural students.

Taking advantage of the wide variety of established educational facilities in Seward will strengthen and diversify this leadership program.

What will the $11 million mean for the Balto School?

A capital appropriation of $11 million from the State Legislature in 2012, added to a non-competitive Historic Preservative Tax Credit, will enable the Balto School to be operational by 2014.

We are one of a handful of states in the union that do not have a dedicated statewide leadership school.

This investment represents the best possible use of funding to preserve one of the few remaining pre-statehood structures of significance.

This investment will save Alaska's past and invest in Alaska's future by creating civically engaged young adults throughout the State of Alaska.

These young adults will become the future leaders of Alaska and contributing members of our communities.