School insurance still in question

The Mat-Su Borough is still fighting Alliance Insurance on the old Su Valley High School. They hope to have the issue resolved by January 14, 2009.

The negotiations have been ongoing since the school burned to the ground in June 2007. Keith Rountree, Borough director of public works, reports that the next meeting with the insurance company is set for January 13 and 14.

Currently, the difference in opinion is about $5 million, which has narrowed considerably from the original $10 million difference. The Borough is contesting the replacement value of the school itself — not including paying project managers and others — is $17 million. Alliance Insurance is currently firm at $12.5 million. The $27 million replacement figure most people have heard includes administration, design, project management fees and associated costs.

The Borough has an advocate acting on the Borough’s behalf in the negotiations. It is hoped that January 14, 2009 will be the settlement day after negotiating on the 13th.