Advocates for Mosquito Lake School this week said they had six students committed to attending the school next year, but haven’t abandoned hope of reaching the 10 required to secure additional site funding and reopen it.

“We haven’t heard back from all the parents. We’re in the process of calling parents and finalizing responses,” said Dana Hallett, facilitator for the Friends of Mosquito Lake and Community Center steering committee.

Haines Borough School District Superintendent Ginger Jewell has previously said she would like commitments from parents of 10 students by Feb. 1 to make preparations for opening the school next year.

Hallett said he “didn’t know if he was optimistic” to reach 10 students by next week, but said getting commitments for that many may be doable by mid-February or March. “I think we have a good shot at it.”

Hallett said Jewell “prefers we have the numbers by Feb. 1, but that’s not a drop-dead date.”

“That ideally gives them the best shot to get a highly-qualified person in (the school’s lone teaching) position,” Hallett said.

Hallett said the Friends group has a demographic survey different from one posted on the school’s website. “We want to know not just about next year, but years from now. We have an interest in knowing down the line.”

The Friends group is promoting the school’s small size and amenities to parents of students in town and at Mosquito Lake. “Kids in town could participate if they found programs at the school rewarding. They have a bus that goes in both directions.”

Hallett said he’s been speaking to borough manager David Sosa about a management plan for a community center at the building that defrays costs of operation, through fees or rents. A preschool program, a senior lunch program or a summer arts camp may be investigated, he said.

“We’ve been playing catch-up since this issue came to our attention. It’s a struggle. But the group is very focused and upbeat. People are stepping up to do various projects,” Hallett said.