Dzantik'i Heeni playground gets renewed scrutiny as new school board members question district funding for project
- Mark Sabbatini
- Jan 14
- 4 min read
Concerns include taking funds from districtwide needs, whether or not city should pay for equipment since surrounding neighborhoods will use the park
By Mark Sabbatini
Juneau Independent
A much-discussed playground upgrade at the Dzantik'i Heeni campus is under renewed scrutiny by the Juneau Board of Education, including questions raised at its meeting Tuesday night by two newly elected members about money the district is providing for the project.
The project has been a high priority for many local officials, as the campus in Lemon Creek is the only one with elementary students that lacks a proper playground, and there are no nearby public parks. But among the concerns expressed Tuesday was whether funding the playground would have detrimental effects districtwide due to a tight overall budget.
"I don't feel like this information has been presented clearly to the board about exactly what we're going to be getting and what we're not, and if I don't know, then I guarantee our community doesn't know," said Melissa Cullum, one of the new members elected in last October’s municipal election. "And if we don't end up allocating money, then we're not going to have a playground. That sucks. But if we do allocate money, then we're taking away from all of our students."
A different reason for questioning the use of district funds was raised by Jenny Thomas, another board member elected last fall.
"I do think that it is valid that Lemon Creek should have play options and those kids should have somewhere to go," she said. "I just don't necessarily agree that it's the responsibility of the school to provide for that whole area when the city should be providing a park for that area."
A vote on district funding for the project was postponed by the school board until a special meeting at 1 p.m. Thursday. District officials told board members approval of funds this week is important to ensure bid requests to contractors are issued in time for work to be done this summer.
But the amount of funding and what equipment will be sought remain open questions.
The Juneau Assembly last September approved $735,000 for site preparation work, but additional funding for playground equipment is expected to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The district last fall launched a "Buy A Brick" campaign that has raised about $70,000, and the Benito and Frances C. Gaguine Foundation has agreed to match up to $250,000 in funding. The school board also previously voted to accept $30,000 of donated equipment ("musical elements and two gaga ball pits") from the Juneau Rotary Clubs.
The current brick donations and matching funds, totaling $133,000 (due to a $7,000 cost of shipping the bricks in the donation campaign), would be sufficient for a tot swing and a spinner, according to a report presented to the board by district administrators. Up to $207,000 more in district funds are being sought for two composite structures — one for tots, and one for students in grades 5-12 — which would secure additional matching funds to help pay for that equipment.
Thomas said the estimated costs of the equipment are another concern of hers.
"I think that it's extremely important for elementary kids to have a playground," she said. "I think it helps with their learning and their development. My concern with this whole thing is the price tag."
Lisa EaganLagerquist, a city project manager, responded by noting the estimates include shipping and labor costs — and that buying top-quality equipment is important.
"Because it is a school playground you want your equipment to be really durable and last a long time," she said. "So we, in looking at this, the designers recommend equipment that is suitable for a school playground that gets a lot of use."
The new members weren't the only ones raising questions. Elizabeth Siddon, the board’s vice president, said her key question is "whose playground is this?"
"The problem with not knowing whose playground it is is we've ended up with a playground design that puts a large portion of the money towards the smallest fraction of kids at that site," she said. "So I'm trying to remove myself from both the inertia of this project which has taken on a life of its own — I don't think anyone's steering this ship on this project — and figure out how to make the right decision for our operating fund."
Students of all ages attend the Dzantik'i Heeni campus, which includes Yaaḵoosgé Daakahídi High School, Montessori Borealis and Juneau Community Charter School. The three schools were relocated there as part of a districtwide consolidation in 2024 to help resolve a major budget shortfall crisis. Families with children in neighborhoods adjacent to the campus are also expected to frequent the playground.
The diverse range of likely uses revived previous discussions about what types of equipment are proper for the playground among board members, administrators and a person offering public testimony during the meeting. Michelle Nakamura, a parent of a student at the Dzantik'i Heeni campus, said while she strongly supports the playground, she is disappointed a spinner is part of the equipment set to be installed due to the wide age range.
"The spinner is absolutely a safety concern," she said. "Unless the district is planning to fund additional staff to supervise recess, the spinner needs to be removed."
Kristy Germain, the district’s operations director, said there was strong support for a spinner during previous public meetings discussing the playground, and the model currently envisioned is smaller and has a lower base than one that raised concerns.
Similar questions were raised by some board members about whether the tot swings are too much money being spent on something a small percentage of students would use, and if a different concept — such as a nature-based playground that would bypass some conventional equipment — might be preferable.
A second person providing public testimony during Tuesday's meeting was Mikaela Levy, a parent with three kids in district schools, who read a letter she said was signed by 80 supporters of a fully funded playground.
"Investing in this playground is an investment in student well-being, neighborhood vitality and long-term community health," she said. "Safe and accessible play spaces make a measurable difference in the daily lives of children and family. This project would have a lasting positive impact well beyond the school day."
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.
