Sheldon Jackson Seeks Offers to Take Over Child-care and Physical Education Centers

Two services put up for bid as further cost-cutting moves 

[Press Release from Jerry Van Marter]
SITKA — Sheldon Jackson College’s trustees have announced that they are seeking local entities to ssume management of the school’s child care center and Hames Physical Education Center. If new operators are not found, both facilities will close within 30 days.

“We know how important these facilities are to Sitka’s residents but we simply cannot afford to keep them open,” said Board of Trustees Chair Dr. Shirley Holloway of Anchorage. “We dearly hope that others in Sitka will step forward so the valuable services both centers provide can be maintained for the community.”

The trustees announced that the college’s Food Service will also cease operations when the current contract with the State Troopers’ Academy expires in mid-November.

The cessation of the three enterprises — none of which break even financially — came as part of further cost-cutting at the college. In May, Sheldon Jackson announced that it was suspending academic operations for the 2007-2008 school year, and laid off 100 employees.