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LEADERSHIP & ADVOCACY
Lack of Education Investment is Costing Our Students and State Opportunities
Lon Garrison, Executive Director, AASB
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As the debate to support Alaska’s public education system rages in the legislature, Governor Dunleavy and DEED Commissioner Bishop have used phrases to characterize their approach to improving our education system and student outcomes: “strategic investments” and “opportunity costs.” Let’s explore these terms and shine a bright light on the reality facing Alaskan schools and students today.
First, let’s look at some definitions. Here are paraphrased responses when I queried ChatGPT.
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AASB LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY | |
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Register today for AASB's Leadership Academy & Legislative Fly-In and Youth Advocacy Institute (YAI) in Juneau!
Your district will have opportunities on Monday, February 12, and Tuesday, February 13, to put the skills you learned at the Academy into action and meet with your legislators. Set up these meetings as soon as possible!
Make sure to first meet with your legislators. Then we suggest the following committees: Education Committees, Finance Committees, House Speaker Tilton, and Senate President Stevens.
Find your district's legislators here
AASB Legislative Advocacy Resources here
Your Participation Counts! Given the urgent needs of our schools, we anticipate the participation of every district in this year’s Legislative Fly-In. Together, we can create positive change for students in Alaska’s public schools.
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Click here to see Fly-In
and YAI agendas
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Hurry! Online registration closes
February 1, 2024 at 5:00 pm AK
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Click here for information
on booking your hotel
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Leadership Academy & Legislative Fly-In
Friday, February 9 – Tuesday, February 13, 2024
School Board Member & District Leaders
In Juneau at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall, this event will focus on advocacy training, reviewing the legislation, and understanding the context of what is happening in the Capitol. February 12 and 13 are committed to meetings with legislators – start making appointments NOW!
SCHEDULE
Friday, February 9
Special Pre-Conference Session on Public Education Funding in Alaska, moderated by John Sedor and led by various experts.
Saturday, February 10 & Sunday, February 11
Leadership Academy & Legislative Fly-In will focus will be on advocacy training, reviewing current legislation, and understanding the context of what is happening in the Capitol.
Monday, February 12 & Tuesday, February 13
Meeting with Legislators - start making your appointments now!
Find your district's legislators here
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Youth Advocacy Institute
Saturday, February 10 – Sunday, February 11
High School Students & Chaperones
A unique opportunity for high school students from across Alaska to convene in Juneau to learn advocacy skills, share views on the building blocks for student success, and learn more about the legislative inner workings. Participants will learn how a bill becomes a law, discuss key legislative issues influencing education this year, and participate in mock testimony. February 12 and February 13 are committed to meeting with legislators, alongside school board members.
Please note that registration for the Youth Advocacy Institute (YAI) is only open to high school students from districts that will have school board members attending this year’s Legislative Fly-In (held the same weekend).
- One-site school districts may register up to 2 students and 1 chaperone
- Multisite school districts may register up to 6 students (no more than 2 from one school) and 1 chaperone.
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Exceptions may be made to this policy on a case-by-case basis by AASB. This request must be made in writing by email to cplesa@aasb.org.
For more information on YAI, contact cplesa@aasb.org.
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Thank you to our Sponsors! | |
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AASB '24 Legislative Priorities
On behalf of our member school districts statewide, the AASB Board of Directors has adopted three legislative priorities for 2024:
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Sufficient and Sustainable Public Education Funding - an increase to the BSA for FY2025 of not less than $1,413 to account for inflation (Alaska-Urban CPI)
- Retention and Recruitment of Teachers, Administrators & Staff
- Student Wellness and School Safety
In addition to the three top priorities, AASB will continue to advocate for any issue which may be addressed by the resolutions of the membership approved on November 12, 2023. Those resolutions can be found at the following links:
Where We Stand 2024 – Online version
Where We Stand 2024 – PDF version
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Click the button to access a one-page document that briefly describes AASB priority issues for which we will be aggressively advocating this session. | | |
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BOARD DEVELOPMENT
School Board Members’ New Year’s Resolutions
Timi Tullis, Associate Executive Director
As the new year is upon us, it is a good time to reflect on your role as a Board member and set some clear goals for the year ahead.
This list might provide some ideas for you as you reconfirm your commitment to the students in your district, to your Board and to the leadership team of the district.
In the year ahead I commit to:
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CONDITIONS FOR LEARNING
Are your students ready for life after high school?
Conditions for Learning Team
As a school board member, you’ve probably kept a close eye on metrics like attendance, test scores, and graduation rates. But then what? Are your students ready for life after high school?
AASB’s Alaska College and Career Guidance Report explores some of the challenges that are students face when they graduate, and how to help them connect to meaningful opportunities.
The stats in Alaska are sobering. One out of nine high school seniors will earn a bachelor’s degree in the next six years. We also have one of the nation’s highest rates of “disconnected youth” – young adults ages 16 to 24 not connect to school or work.
We need all of our young people to be trained, ready to join the workforce and prepared to take on important leadership roles in our community (like being a school board member!). When young adults are connected, contributing, and have a sense of purpose, they have better mental health and engage in fewer risky behaviors.
Here are a few ways your school board can help ensure your students are ready for what’s next:
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AASB's 2023-24
Scholarship Application
is now open!
The Association of Alaska School Boards is proud to announce its 33rd Annual Scholarship Award Competition. The June Nelson Memorial Scholarship is named in honor of the late June Nelson, a longtime school board member from Kotzebue. June contributed much to the cause of education and will be remembered for her outstanding service on behalf of Alaska’s children. This scholarship is made possible and funded by individual contributions of school board members and administrators from across the state!
This 2023-2024 school year, AASB will award up to fifteen $1,500 scholarships to apply toward post-secondary education! Up to two of these may be awarded to returning college sophomores. Up to two scholarships may specifically be given to students planning to attend trade/vocational schools.
For application guidelines and more information, click here.
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Application Deadline:
April 1, 2024 by 5:00 pm AKST
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Essay Prompt:
Who or what in your educational experience has influenced your direction in life?
Required Information & Documents (PDFs only):
- Required Information & Documents (PDF's only)
- Student and school information
- Response to the essay question up to 750 words in length
- Student Activities
- Copy of your high school transcript with cumulative GPA
- Acceptance letter from a business, trade, or college institution.
- Two letters of recommendation, one from a community member and one from a teacher.
- SAT or ACT scores
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Returning 2022-2023 Winners
Winners from last year’s competition are eligible to apply for a second-year scholarship. Please note that this is a separate application with a different essay prompt. Returning winners, click the button below to apply!
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If you have any difficulties or questions about the application, please call (907) 463-1660 or email us at aasb@aasb.org. | |
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2024 First-term Board Member Webinar Series
Whether you’re just getting started on your board, or want to brush up on the basics, AASB’s First Term Board Member Webinar Series is for you!
Register today! Early registration adds the webinar dates to your calendar to ensure conflict-free attendance!
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School Finance with an Expert!
February 6, 12-1 pm | Register
The Board and the Budget
February 20, 12-1 pm | Register
The Funding Formula with DEED
February 27, 12-1 pm | Register
Board Policy – Development and Governance
March 5, 12-1 pm | Register
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Working with Your Board
March 12, 12-1 pm | Register
Working with your Community
March 19, 12-1 pm | Register
Holding Your Meeting Remotely
April 26, 12-1 pm | Register
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February is School Board Appreciation Month
The Association of Alaska School Boards has declared February to be School Board Appreciation Month! Initiated by the National School Boards Association in 1995,
2023 marks the 28th anniversary of School Board Recognition Month. The goal is to build awareness and understanding in your community and schools of the crucial function an elected school board plays in a representative democracy.
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As citizen advocates, individual board members face a complex, and often demanding job; yet few people fully understand the scope and far-reaching implications of board members’ responsibilities. This month we ask all Alaska citizens to recognize the important contributions of our board members and focus attention on the vital role these public officials play in the education of our children.
On our website, you will find resource materials that can be downloaded and customized for use in your school district. These resources include:
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Join Our Growing Team!
At AASB, you can make an impact across Alaska. We are advocates for Alaska’s youth. Join our growing team! AASB is now accepting applications for the following position. Click on the title to see the full job description.
Family Engagement Coordinator
The Family Engagement Coordinator is committed to improving student outcomes through family-school partnerships. This position will work with school districts and educational partners across the state to improve family and school partnerships. An ideal candidate will be able to oversee a multifaceted project and coordinate an internal team to achieve the statewide family engagement center goals.
Fatherhood/Family Partnership Coordinator (Alaska STRONG Project Manager)
A full or part-time position to support school district and community staff working with fathers and co-parents to engage in culturally responsive learning and play with their child. A successful applicant would have experience and passion for family and school partnership, strengthening the roles of fathers, enjoy collaborating with state and federal partners, and appreciate local knowledge/contexts. The goal is to strengthen fatherhood skills, deepen family/school partnerships, and improve co-parenting relationships.
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How Schools Can Combat the Fentanyl Overdose Epidemic (Legally)
Part 6 of the series “The Last Frontier facing the New Frontier.”
Clint Campion, Sedor, Wendlandt, Evans & Filippi, LLC
Alaska, like the rest of the country, is experiencing a rise in overdoses involving fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), reports there are 150 deaths per day related to fentanyl overdoses. In 2021, the CDC reported that fentanyl was involved in 84% of all teen overdose deaths.
There are two types of fentanyl: pharmaceutical fentanyl and illegally made fentanyl. Pharmaceutical fentanyl is used to treat pain, generally after surgery and for advanced-stage cancer. The overwhelming number of overdoses involve illegally made fentanyl, which is often added to other drugs such as heroin and cocaine. Illegally made fentanyl can come in powdered or liquid form. It is nearly impossible to detect fentanyl because you cannot see it, taste it, or smell it.
Law enforcement across the country is stepping up interdiction and seizures of fentanyl. The Alaska State Troopers reported seizure of 26.85 kilograms of fentanyl in 2022, which it estimated to equate 13.425 million potentially fatal doses. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration reported seizure of nearly 400 million potentially fatal doses of fentanyl in 2022 and again in 2023.
So, how can school officials combat this crisis. Fentanyl poses significant challenges for school officials but there are proactive steps school districts should consider taking:
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The most useful and practical phrase a chair can say
Ann Macfarlane, Professional Parliamentarian
It’s a little risky to make extreme claims, but in the view of Jurassic Parliament, the most useful and practical phrase a chair can say is:
Members will kindly seek recognition before speaking.
This is based on our 20+ years of experience, in which the tendency of meetings to dissolve into conversations among the members is ever-present. When that happens, and people blurt something out, or start talking directly to each other, the chair can use the this phrase to firmly and politely remind people of the rules.
As we emphasize in all our work, normally discussion at board meetings is NOT A CONVERSATION.
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If we appoint a new school board member to replace someone who has resigned, do they serve for the remainder of the original member's term?
Answer: The appointed member only holds the seat UNTIL the next election cycle. They can then run as others do to keep the seat moving forward.
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Funding Education in Alaska: Lessons and Insights
from Local and National Research
February 8, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Where - UAS Egan Lecture Hall 112 (there’s no cost to attend)
Livestreaming Option - Register in advance here
Participants
- Dr. Lawrence O. Picus, Professor of Education Finance and Policy
- Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, USC Rossier School of Education
- Dr. Dayna J. DeFeo, Director, UAA Center for Alaska Education Policy Research
- Dr. Carlee Simon, Interim Dean, UAS School of Education
- Dr. Diane Hirshberg, Director, UAA Institute of Social & Economic Research
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Alaska Native Education Program (ANEP) Applications Open
The U.S. Department of Education is accepting applications for ANEP, aimed at improving educational outcomes for Alaska Natives. Eligible: Alaska Native organizations/entities with relevant experience/partnerships. Funding: approx. $15.9 million, grants $300,000 to $1.5 million.
Application Deadline: February 13, 2024
More info at https://www.grants.gov.
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Teacher Retention & Recruitment Convening
February 29 - March 1 in Anchorage
Join us for an insightful two-day event focused on enhancing teacher retention and recruitment strategies. We kick off the event with a special guest speaker from the American Association for Employment in Education sharing the National Teacher Supply and Demand perspective. The First (Annual) TRRC is proudly sponsored in partnership with AT&P and DEED aimed at providing valuable insights and resources for educators, administrators, and education enthusiasts.
AT&P Job Fair happening concurrently! Double the opportunities to connect with top-tier educators and explore career prospects.
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3rd Annual Alaska Science of Reading Symposium
April, 19 - 21, 2024
Our goal is to integrate reading science with classroom and leadership practices to boost student reading proficiency and celebrate statewide progress. National experts in the science of reading will discuss best practices and theories, providing stakeholders with evidence-based strategies for application in districts, schools, and classrooms.
Registration Now Open
Register Here | More Info Here
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Agenda
Day 1: Friday, April 19 - Know Better, Do Better
Day 2: Saturday, April 20 - Collaboration and Courage
Day 3: Sunday, April 21 - Walk the Talk
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Alaska Teacher of the Year Selected as Finalist for 2024 National Teacher of the Year
The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) announced that four educators from across the country are finalists for the 2024 National Teacher of the Year (TOY) award. One of the finalists is the 2024 Alaska Teacher of the Year, Catherine Walker.
Ms. Walker teaches oceanography, marine biology, unmanned aviation science and Project Lead the Way engineering essentials to students in grades 9-12 at Dimond High School in Anchorage, Alaska. She is a member of the Pacific Ocean Educators Network and a board member for the Alaska Society for Technology in Education.
Read More
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Joel Isaak Named DEED Deputy Commissioner
The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development has named Joel Isaak as Deputy Commissioner, effective immediately. Mr. Isaak most recently served DEED as the Director of Tribal Affairs, and has been integral in the creation and implementation of the State-Tribal Education Compacting. He also works as a linguist for the Kenaitze Indian Tribe in Kenai and teaches Dena'ina at Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna.
Read More
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Aleutian Region – Nikolski looks to reopen public school as Western Aleutians face student enrollment challenges – Sofia Stuart-Rasi, KUCB
Anchorage – Anchorage School District offers jobs to applicants without teaching certificates, among other staffing strategies – Annie Berman, Anchorage Daily News
Bering Strait – Diomede school reopens after months of remote learning – Carla Ahkvaluk, KNOM
Delta Greely – School Board narrows down field of applicants for superintendent – Denise Wilhelm, Delta Wind
Fairbanks – Fairbanks North Star Borough Board of Education members advocate for increased education funding – Haley Lehman, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Haines – Haines area school leaders say they need an increase in state funding – Rashah McChesney, Chilkat Valley News
Juneau – Juneau School District may close schools and cut staff amid budget crisis – Katie Anastas, KTOO Juneau
Kenai – Group studying 4-day school week model takes shape – Ashlyn O’Hara, Peninsula Clarion
Ketchikan – District changes budget approach, seeking ‘necessary baseline services’ – Sam Stockbridge, Ketchikan Daily News
LKSD – The Lower Kuskokwim School District has selected three finalist candidates in the search for a new superintendent – Sunni Bean, KYUK
Mat-Su – Mat-Su parents, students move to return books removed from school library shelves as lawsuit continues – Tim Rockey, Alaska Public Media
North Slope – Iñupiaq immersion program’s revival in Utqiagvik sparks plans for growth – Alena Naiden, Anchorage Daily News
Sitka – Dr. Deidre Jenson named sole finalist for superintendent job – Katherine Rose, KCAW Sitka
Wrangell – School board offers to extend Superintendent Burr’s contract – Wrangell Sentinel
More Alaska School District News
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Gov. Dunleavy says he would veto a standalone bill to increase school funding – Sean Maguire, Anchorage Daily News
Anchorage’s top education official sought a per-student funding increase. Then she became commissioner – Tim Rockey, Alaska Public Media
Education bill passes House Rules Committee after 7-hour, highly-debated public hearing – Matthew Simon, Georgina Fernandez and Joe Cadotte, Alaska’s News Source
Alaska House Republicans accused of rushing unvetted education bill – Sean Maguire & Iris Samuels, Anchorage Daily News
OPINION: Action on education falls short of Alaska’s needs – Lisa Parady, ACSA
OPINION: Why do we have a better funding plan for Alaska’s prisons than its schools? – Rebecca Braun, Anchorage Daily News
Alaska House and Senate sharply divided over school funding plans – Sean Maguire, Anchorage Daily News
‘Teachers leaving faster than they can be replaced,’ reports Alaska Dept. of Labor – Georgina Fernandez, Alaska’s News Source
Hundreds march, rally in Anchorage to raise Alaska’s Base Student Allocation – Joe Cadotte, Alaska’s News Source
Educators, parents, students rally for increased education funding – Haley Lehman, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Alaska board of education sends the plan for tribally run public schools to lawmakers – Claire Stremple, Alaska Beacon
Alaska board of education lowers standard for student test scores, citing nationally high bar. – Claire Stremple, Alaska Beacon
Alaska lawmakers fail to override Gov. Dunleavy’s education funding veto – Sean Maguire & Iris Samuels, Anchorage Daily News
State compiles first comprehensive account of Alaska children’s stress and trauma – Yereth Rosen, Alaska Beacon
More State and Federal News
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Looking for a New Superintendent?
The Association of Alaska School Boards has been conducting successful and economical superintendent searches for over twenty years. Our Superintendent Search Service provides expert facilitation of the entire search process, including identifying the needs of the district, recruiting candidates, conducting background searches, facilitating interviews, and all the steps to help with the hiring process.
If you would like AASB to conduct a superintendent search for your district, or have questions, Learn More or Contact Us
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Association of Alaska School Boards | aasb.org | |
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