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LEADERSHIP & ADVOCACY
AASB 70th Annual Conference – Gathering, Learning, Partnering, and Setting Direction
Lon Garrison, Executive Director, AASB
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Since 1953, the Association of Alaska School Boards has convened an annual conference to bring school board members and their superintendents together to learn about school district governance and create a unified voice advocating for public education funding, local control, and best practices that can serve all the students of Alaska. What is remarkable is that this effort began before statehood and undoubtedly helped impact the framing of the Alaska Constitution, specifically Article 7 – Section1, Public Education:
The legislature by general law establish and maintain a system of public school open to all children of the State, and may provide for other public education institutions. Schools and institutions shall be free from sectarian control. No money shall be paid from public funds for the direct benefit of any religious or other private educational institution.
Starting on November 9th and culminating on November 12th with the Delegate Assembly, the AASB membership will gather once again in Anchorage to continue the work and the mission of AASB put into action 70 years ago. This gathering of school board members, superintendents, and educational professionals gives us the chance to reconnect with old acquaintances and make new ones.
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Complimentary Event!
December 13, 2023
Join the National School Boards Association for an online gathering dedicated to addressing unique challenges and opportunities in rural education. Participants will hear thought-provoking discussions and learn innovative strategies to foster a supportive network that empowers rural communities to enhance educational outcomes and promote equitable access to quality education.
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Visit nsba.org for event details and schedule. | | |
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BOARD DEVELOPMENT
Are you Ready? AASB’s 70th Annual Conference is Almost Here!
Jenni Lefing, Membership Services Manager
We hope to see many of you November 9-12 at the Hilton Anchorage for AASB’s Annual Conference; the largest annual gathering of school board members in the state. This gathering is an excellent opportunity for school boards to come together and share ideas, concerns, experiences, and explore ways to collaborate.
The Youth Leadership Institute (YLI), an integral part of the Conference, will bring high school students together to hone their leadership skills to use their voices to be change-makers in their schools and communities.
Throughout the conference, there will be opportunities to connect with school board members and students from across the state. This includes meals, connecting during breaks, going to the Friday June Nelson Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser, roundtables, and breakout sessions.
Thursday’s pre-conference workshops offer an opportunity to delve deeper into issues important to your role as a school board member. While these sessions are optional, they provide exceptional value for new and seasoned board members alike in crucial areas of board work.
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CONDITIONS FOR LEARNING
Trauma-Engaged Schools: Transforming our Schools
Karin Halpin, Training and Coaching Coordinator
| “[We] must either invest a reasonable amount of time attending to fears and feelings or squander an unreasonable amount of time trying to manage ineffective and unproductive behaviors.” - Brene Brown | |
What does it mean to be a “trauma-engaged” school?
Local wisdom, current research, and educational practice indicate that trauma can impact a student’s ability to focus, connect, and learn. Students who experience individual or collective trauma are less likely to engage in school, have lower academic outcomes, need more behavior support, and are absent from school more often.
Trauma-Engaged practices build on the strengths already present in our students, and build strong relationships with families and communities.
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AASB's 70th Annual Conference
Join us November 9-12, 2023 at the Hilton Anchorage for AASB's 70th Annual Conference!
This year's in-person Annual Conference will include two general sessions, over 15 breakout sessions, roundtables, snapshot sessions, networking opportunities, June Nelson Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser, Delegate Assembly, and more! We look forward to seeing you there!
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AASB's Youth Leadership Institute
Held in conjunction with the Annual Conference, YLI students will spend 4 days with peers and guest speakers from across Alaska. This year's theme, "Partnering for Student Success," will empower youth to use their voices to be change-makers in their schools and communities. Engaging breakout sessions with speakers and school board members enables conversations at a level unique to Youth Leadership Institute.
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PLEASE NOTE
Annual Conference online registration has closed.
If you are interested in attending, please reach out to aasb@aasb.org.
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FEATURED CONFERENCE PRESENTERS | |
Frederick Lane
Speaker, Experienced Board Member Academy
| Author, attorney, educational consultant, & lecturer, specializing in the ethical implications of emerging technologies, particularly in the realm of cyberethics. | |
Troy Hutchings
Keynote Speaker
Friday General Session
| Researcher, writer, and speaker specializing in the areas of professional ethics, educator misconduct, and frameworks for ethical teaching practice. | |
Kristi Swett
Keynote Speaker
Saturday General Session
| 2023-24 NSBA President and a member of Utah's Salt Lake City School Board, who has tirelessly championed public education for three decades. | |
Donate Items to the June Nelson Scholarship Fundraiser | |
This scholarship is made possible and funded by individual contributions of school board members and administrators from across the state!
To donate an item, bring items to Annual Conference at conference check-in. Reach out to aasb@aasb.org with any questions.
Learn More
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Conference Attendees:
Play the "Board Game!"
| Use the conference app to find all of the Board Members and Locations for a chance to win a fabulous prize! | | |
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ANNUAL CONFERENCE SPONSOR GUEST COLUMNS
Connect with us at the Conference!
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Funding for the Future: It’s Time to Dash to Save
Lael Oldmixon, Executive Director, Alaska 529, Education Trust of Alaska
It’s been a great year partnering with the Alaska Association of School Boards. I wanted to take a moment to thank you for your dedication to Alaska’s future, and the work you’re doing to spark curiosity and a passion for learning in young Alaskans. Education, in its many forms, is the foundation that all the achievements we want for our kids is built. Some planning is needed to ensure that students are able to cover the costs of education and training after high school. This is where Alaska 529 can be a valuable resource.
I wanted to take this opportunity to spotlight two important resources that can add up when it comes to saving for future education and aimed at reducing the burden of paying for education: the Dash to Save™ and Dash to Save More™ incentive programs. These programs offer unique benefits not found elsewhere in the United States.
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Improve Educator Background Checks with NASDTEC’s Educator ID Clearinghouse
Carleen Mitchell, Deputy Director, APEI
School districts have a responsibility to make sure that each candidate being offered a position in their district has the skills and personal skills to be successful in their role. This includes conducting background and reference checks to confirm that there are no situations in the candidate’s background that could put children at risk.
However, criminal background checks will not reveal instances of educator misconduct that do not rise to the level of criminal activity, and employment references may be unwilling to share information about alleged misconduct by a past employee. This gap in the background check process puts school districts at risk of hiring an educator who may be a threat to children.
There is an additional resource that will allow school districts to expand their background check process and identify red flags about a potential new hire.
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Technology & Sustainability:
A new model to consider Total Cost of Ownership
Jesse Carnahan, CEO, Lynx Education
During COVID, schools and communities benefited greatly from the federal dollars that were available for moving traditional classrooms to remote learning. Essentially overnight, sweeping initiatives put new devices in the hands of kids across the country. A problem we had all been working decades to solve was suddenly gone.
However, districts are now left with the unsettling realization that this level of access needs to be kept up somehow. As technology gets older, it has to be replaced. Replacing technology has never been cheap, so schools are left with the impossible proposition of maintaining a new normal where every student has access to a device for learning.
How do we fund that? How do we make sure this wasn’t a one-time event? One thing for district leadership to consider is the model that enterprise and post-secondary institutions have largely adopted; a sustainability plan that leverages aging technology assets to upgrade and maintain a future-proof fleet, lowering the total cost of ownership.
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10 Questions Rural School Districts Should Ask Network Providers
Jason Tomberlin, Senior Director, GCI Education
Choosing a provider for a rural education network in Alaska can be a difficult process. Finding one who operates in remote areas and understands the unique needs of your industry and community is even harder.
Rural school districts looking for a partner to support their needs should ask the following questions:
1. How many rural school districts do you serve?
Why you should ask: In Alaska, long distances and difficult terrain are a reality. Unfortunately, what makes Alaska spectacular also makes it difficult for providers to deliver and maintain education network services. This is why it’s critical your partner has deep experience with rural education networks. Put another way, do you want to be someone’s first rural customer? Teams without rural experience may not have the right infrastructure to deliver your service reliably. They probably don’t have local agents or support staff ready to help. And they are even less likely to know how to support distance education and culturally relevant lesson plans.
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UA Alaska College of Education Consortium: working to support
teacher growth in Alaska
Bridget Weiss, Ed. D., Alaska College of Education Consortium Liaison, University of Alaska
The University of Alaska is highly engaged in being part of the solution in responding to the need for more teachers in Alaska.
Through the work of the three Schools of Education, a consortium was formed in 2021 in order to leverage a coordinated and complementary effort between the three Universities, UAA, UAF, and UAS. The Alaska College of Education Consortium is engaged in specific programming changes and enhancements to adapt to the growing need in our PK-12 educator workforce.
Through project development and a variety of partnership opportunities, each University is actively developing new opportunities and continuing to look for additional, innovative ways to support more Alaskans in their journey to become teachers and counselors.
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Visit these and other exhibitors in the Annual Conference Exhibition Hall | |
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Executive Administrative Assistants Conference
Thursday, Dec. 7 and Friday, Dec. 8
Clarion Suites, Anchorage
AASB’s annual Executive Administrative Assistants Conference is an opportunity for Executive Admins from around the state to connect, learn and engage with each other.
Topics will include role of the board secretary, effective board meetings, meeting minutes, human resources, and much more!
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Winter Boardsmanship Academy
Friday Dec. 8 and Saturday Dec. 9
Clarion Suites, Anchorage
Dec. 8 – School Law & Policy Day
AASB is partnering with ISER for this year’s School Law & Policy Day that is focused on Public Education Funding In Alaska and the Concept of Adequacy. This event will include an Evening Reception and Presentation at UAA on Public Education Funding in Alaska: What we know, what we don’t know, and how others do it.
Dec. 9 – Equity Day
Equity Day will focus on Equity within your role as a school board and an opportunity to connect, plan together, and discuss best ways to work together. Topics include: Teacher Recruitment and Retention (TRR), Playbook for School Boards, New Policies, and much more!
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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.
Data and Evaluation Coordinator
The Data and Evaluation Coordinator supports AASB staff, school districts, and community partners to utilize a wide range of data and evaluation tools for program planning and decision-making. The ideal candidate is passionate about education and using data to improve student outcomes, particularly addressing issues of equity and access.
Communications and Event Coordinator
The Association of Alaska School Boards is looking for a communications and event coordinator for the Conditions for Learning (CFL) Team. This position creates strong communications and organizational systems for the CFL Team. This position will help with organizing and sharing the work of the CFL team that focuses on student well-being, youth leadership, family engagement, and school improvement.
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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The Alaska Family Engagement Center (AFEC) is recruiting for a Family Advisory Board!
Are you, or someone you know, interested in joining a statewide network of families who can provide insights and guide family partnership work?
Considering submitting a nomination or self-nomination to join the FAB! All nominations can be made using this nomination form.
FAB members will provide insight and guidance on the work being done in districts across the state to help assure that AFEC is meeting the needs of families. The FAB will meet virtually monthly to share ideas and discuss family partnership and engagement between schools and families across the state, with occasional in-person meetings. Your district does not need to be an AFEC district partner in order to be a part of the Family Advisory Board. This opportunity is open to anyone.
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Meeting new obligations to provide accommodations to employees
Part 3 of the series “The Last Frontier facing the New Frontier.”
Lea Filippi, Sedor, Wendlandt, Evans & Filippi, LLC
The primary focus of a school district does not tend to change much from year to year. Districts are always consistently working toward big goals like instilling the value of learning and teaching students the many skills necessary for social and academic success.
Steady as each school district is in the pursuit of those goals for its students, each also must change with the times and keep abreast of newly developed legal obligations to the employees working toward those goals. This year there are two big changes to the scope of employee rights that school districts need to keep in mind.
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What is a resolution in Robert’s Rules?
Ann Macfarlane, Professional Parliamentarian
In Robert’s Rules of Order, a RESOLUTION is a special type of MOTION. My friend the late John Stackpole, a distinguished parliamentarian, described it this way: “A resolution is a motion in fancy dress.”
A resolution is used for important or complex questions, or when greater formality is desired. A resolution should be put into writing before it is offered. It’s a good idea to prepare and distribute a proposed resolution in advance of a meeting, so that the members will have time to grapple with it.
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Where would public comments fit in the agenda?
Answer: School boards have some flexibility here and typically the Board President and Superintendent will determine and agree where to place public comments during the agenda setting process. Most district Board Bylaw 9322 confirms this without specifying exactly where on the agenda it falls “The School Board shall give members of the public an opportunity to address the School Board either before or during the School Board's consideration of each agenda item."
Thus, it is most common around the state is for Public Comments to fall near the beginning of the meeting, after the roll call, pledge and land acknowledgment, but before the board's business (eg Old Business, New Business). This gives the public the opportunity to address the board before consideration of the agenda items.
Some boards will also include a second opportunity for public comments near the end of the meeting, after the business has concluded but before board comments and adjournment.
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State-Tribal Education Compact Schools Hearing in House Tribal Affairs Committee
On November 6 at 10:00 AM in the Anchorage LIO office the Alaska House of Representatives will hold a Tribal Affairs Committee meeting to address Tribal Compacting. Joel Isaak, DEED Director of Tribal Affairs, will present on the historical context of education in Alaska, its connection to Alaska's Education Challenge, and provide an update on the Tribal Compacting negotiations mandated by Senate Bill 34.
Watch the hearing online
Learn more about Tribal Compacting
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Announcing the 2024 iDidaContest: Alaska's Premier Student & Teacher Media Showcase!
ASTE celebrates digital media excellence, by showcasing the most outstanding photos, movies, documentaries, podcasts, music, books, and more. Our ongoing partnership with the Alaska Council for Social Studies adds an exciting dimension with several Social Studies-themed categories.New Digital Art and Artificial Intelligence (AI) categories have been introduced this year.
Submissions open now. Deadline: January 31, 2024. Winners revealed on February 18, 2024, at the live iDidaNight showcase. More info at ASTE iDidaContest website.
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Nominations Open:
2024 Presidential Scholars & CTE Presidential Awards Programs
DEED is seeking applications from outstanding high school seniors for both the 2024 Presidential Scholars and CTE Presidential Scholars programs. The programs are open to U.S. citizens/legal residents graduating between January - June 2024. Public/private/home school students eligible; max 2 applicants per school. Not scholarships; recognition programs. Scholars will receive a medallion at an expenses-paid ceremony in D.C.
Applications due Nov 3, 2023, 4 pm.
Apply Here
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Sen. Murkowski offers Letters of Support for Federal Grant Applications
Senator Murkowski's website now offers a tool to request a letter of support for federal grant applications. You can access the Letter of Support Requests page here.
Ensure you submit the request at least four weeks before the grant application deadline to allow time for questions and processing.
To find federal grant opportunities, search here.
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Kenai Board Member Debbie Cary Receives 2024 Don MacKinnon Excellence in Education Award
Debbie Cary, a Kenai Peninsula Borough School District (KPBSD) School Board Member, received the 2024 Don MacKinnon Excellence in Education Award from the Alaska Superintendents Association (ASA) at their recent fall conference.
Serving on the KPBSD school board since 2017, she has held various leadership roles, including Policy Chair, Vice President, and current President, while actively participating in multiple committees.
Cary's dedication to supporting students is evident through her advocacy for mental health services, anti-bullying initiatives, and efforts to foster a safe and welcoming school environment. She's also been a strong advocate at both the local and state levels, attending borough assembly meetings and rallying residents for education advocacy during legislative sessions.
Kenai Superintendent Clayton Holland commended her leadership, strategic vision, and inclusive approach, emphasizing the positive impact she has had on students, teachers, and the community as a whole.
The Don MacKinnon Educational Excellence in Education Award, established in 1985, recognizes outstanding service by school board members to their districts and communities in honor of Don MacKinnon's contributions to education in Alaska.
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REAA School Board Election Results
Here are the Official Results of the Regional Educational Attendance Area (REAA) school board elections held on October 3, 2023.
Click Here to view a list of communities located in each REAA district and the school district they are a part of.
A Regional Educational Attendance Area (REAA) is an educational area that is established in an unorganized borough of the state AS 14.08.031(a). REAA elections are administered by the State Division of Elections.
Want more information about REAAs? Here’s a Commentary article from former DEED Commissioner Marshall Lind that discusses how REAAs were formed during his tenure.
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Anchorage – Effort to inspire a future wave of Indigenous teachers blooms in Anchorage high schools – Annie Berman, ADN
Delta-Greely – Superintendent resigns in fifth year with DGSD – Denise Wilhelm, Delta Wind
Fairbanks – ‘We are in a world of hurt,’ Funding issues continue to plague borough schools – Carter DeJong, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Juneau – School district gets $2.8M of bad news due to low enrollment and audit, but also $2.3M of good news – Mark Sabbatini, Juneau Empire
Kenai – Borough, school district present local funding process. The presentation was the second as part of KPBSD’s “Budget 101” – Ashlyn O’Hara, Homer News
Kodiak – Karluk school to close again after families drawn by free housing leave – Brian Venua, KMXT
Lower Kuskokwim – Suicide-prevention program teaches Alaska students how to identify their own strength – Claire Stremple, Alaska Beacon
Mat-Su – Mat-Su school board, superintendent get vote of ‘no confidence’ from district staff – Alaska’s News Source
Nome – School Board elects new board president – Anna Lionas, Nome Nugget
Petersburg – School District looks to improve safety and security – Hannah Flor, KFSK
Sitka- New school board members take oath, begin superintendent search – Robert Woolsey, KCAW
Unalaska – UCSD seeks public participation in its strategic planning workshop – Sofia Stuart-Rasi, KUCB
Wrangell - Wrangell district might use reserves to cover state travel expense deficit - Larry Persily, Wrangell Sentinel
More Alaska School District News
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Report links lack of investment in school guidance programs to Alaska’s lagging workforce – Claire Stremple, Alaska Beacon
Alaskan schools begin implementation of Alaska Reads Act – Alaska’s News Source
State develops ‘playbook’ to help Alaska schools hire and keep teachers – Claire Stremple, Alaska Beacon
Alaska governor’s staff blocked publication of state agency’s analysis of teacher pay – James Brooks, Alaska Beacon
Alaska Program Aimed at Keeping School Principals to Triple in Size. Leaders say stable principals lead to better teacher retention, student outcomes – The 74
Alaska Council of School Administrators Receives Two Grants to Support School Leaders and Civics Education – ACSA
Resolution to reinstitute Student Advisory Rep role goes to the State Senate next year – Katie Stavick, Frontiersman
Alaska school sports association bars transgender girls from girls’ sports teams – Iris Samuels, ADN
Stricter state laws are chipping away at sex education in U.S. schools – Hannah Fingerhut, Associated Press
Alaska seeks to create statewide reading standards for Alaska Native languages – Claire Stremple, AK Beacon
Teaching Through Technology leadership conference connects students statewide – Francisco Martínezcuello, KDLG
Congress passes protections for school hunting and archery programs – Riley Rogerson, Anchorage Daily News
Biden Administration Awards $14 Mil Under Fostering Diverse Schools Grant Program – White House
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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