ALASBO President Message- Yodean Armour



I’d like to take a moment and thank the ALASBO members able to attend the ACSA Fly-In a few months ago. ALASBO members, Superintendents and Principals pulled together to advocate for our individual Districts, as well as sharing the Joint Position Statements with our legislators. ACSA has an “Advocacy” link on their website that shares links to Live Legislative hearings, Current Education legislation, and lists Legislators by School District for our continued advocacy efforts.



Summer Leadership is right around the corner – July 14-16, 2023, in Juneau. Summer Leadership is a wonderful opportunity for professional development, conference planning, and more. With the support from our sponsors, there is no registration fee for ALASBO members. The only cost to your District is transportation and lodging. If this is your first-time attending Summer Leadership, there is a Richard M. Swarner: Shaping the Future Leadership Grant. Up to two awards will be made for $750 each towards the cost of attending the 2023 Leadership conference. Click here for the Swarner Scholarship. The deadline is June 6, 2023. 

As we start to wrap up another school year, I’m hopeful we can all take the time to volunteer in our District year-end school events and keep an eye out for what is happening in the Legislature. I hope everyone has a wonderful summer and hope to see you at an upcoming ALASBO event!

Executive Director Message-

Darcy Carter

I would like to thank everyone at the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) for the wonderful working relationship with Alaska's school districts.

School business/operations departments work closely with and communicate well with DEED and, when requested, information is provided to and from the department. In addition, school districts report financial information as required by statute.



• The annual operating fund budget document is due to DEED by July 15. 
• The audited financial report (for all funds) for the previous fiscal year is due by November 15.

Thank you to DEED for all your hard work toward fulfilling your mission statement: An Excellent Education for Every Student Every Day.  

ALASBO continues to work to fulfill our mission and vision statements:  

Mission: To promote the highest standards in school business practices. 

Vision:  Educating stakeholders in the effective use of resources for the benefit of Alaska's children.

Congratulations to those from DEED who have recently retired or will be retiring this year.  Elwin Blackwell has retired from his position as School Finance Director. Mindy Lobaugh, School Finance Specialist, is retiring June 30, and we hear more retirements are happening soon. Thank You!

ALASBO Education Director- Meet Cindy Reilly

Hello, Friends!  After 23 years as a school business official, I am moving into a new chapter of my life and will be serving as ALASBO’s Education Director beginning June 1, 2023.

I cut my teeth in school business in Alaska, serving school districts in Healy, Akiachak, Palmer and Fairbanks, followed by 12+ years serving my alma mater in Wautoma, Wisconsin.  My husband, Dave, and I moved around Alaska from 1991-2011 serving schools and earning our status as Sourdoughs.  Our daughter, Rachel, graduated from Moses Peter High School in Akiachak and is currently a Curriculum Coordinator in the FNSBSD.  Our son, Caleb, graduated from Palmer High, found the love of his life, Kristina, graduated from US Military Academy at West Point, and is a Major in the US Army.  Our children have blessed us with three grandkids: Cadence (10), Raymond (8) and Thistle (7). We look forward to seeing a lot more of them now that we are retired! READ THE REST OF CINDY'S MESSAGE HERE.

ALASBO's Facilities and Maintenance Training

Superintendent Clayton Holland welcomed participants to ALASBO's inaugural Facilities & Maintenance Training held in Soldotna, AK, April 13 & 14, 2023. The next training will take place in conjunction with AASB's Maintenance Conference in October in Anchorage. This training was sponsored by ExerPlay and SignSolutions.

Member Spotlight: 

Bonnie James

Our member spotlight shines on Bonnie James. Bonnie is the Superintendent & Board Secretary, and the HR Specialist at Yupiit School District.

Read more about Bonnie here.

AK DOH SHARP Program Funding Now Available. 

State awarded grant to build school districts healthcare workforce.

Federal aid to help recruit and retain healthcare professionals. 



The Department of Health's SHARP Program has announced the availability of funding to build the healthcare workforce in school districts across Alaska. The state was awarded a grant that includes federal aid aimed at recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals to improve the access and distribution of healthcare for underserved populations. Over the next three years, Alaska's SHARP program will receive nearly one million dollars to support a variety of healthcare professionals, such as School Social Workers, School Nurses, School Mental Health Counselors, School Behavioral Health Aids, School Psychologists, and School Health Coordinators. READ MORE HERE

Understanding the Impact of the Community Eligibility Provision Proposed Rule

by Alaska School Nutrition Association

On 23 March 2023, the USDA announced a proposed rule change that would expand access to universal free meals through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) by reducing the minimum Identified Student Percentage (ISP) from 40% to 25%, meaning that more schools would qualify to elect CEP.  There is no additional funding unless Congressional action is taken.  Without additional funding from Congress, local school districts in Alaska will bear the financial burden if electing to expand CEP to schools with low ISPs. The purpose of this document is to provide an objective understanding of the impacts, risks, and opportunities if the proposed rule were made effective. Read the rest of the article here.

RISING STARS IN SCHOOL BUSINESS SCHOLARSHIPS

The Emerging Leaders Scholarship recognizes new professionals and helps them develop into tomorrow's leaders. 

20 SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED EACH YEAR. EACH RECIPIENT GETS:

• $2,000 scholarship toward attending ASBO International's Annual Conference & Expo
• A strong network of peers and mentors before, during, and after the event
• Exclusive training session and networking events. APPLY OR NOMINATE BY JUNE 1, 2023

HRAs – a Tax-Free Solution for Retirees’ Health Care Expenses

By Larry Stein, Tax Advantaged Specialist, OneBridge Benefits

Alaska school retirees need not deplete their retirement savings to cover those inevitable out-

of-pocket medical expenses. Relief comes from the IRS in the form of a funded HRA (Health

Reimbursement Arrangement). Any type of special-pay compensation such as unused sick or

vacation day payouts can fund the HRA.

Many school districts direct separation of service compensation to a qualified retirement plan,

such as a 403(b). Often referred to as Special Pay Plans, they provide the benefit of tax-deferral,

i.e., compensation paid at separation of service is not subject to current Federal Income Taxes.

But when withdrawn, during retirement, they become taxable. Those withdrawals will be

added to the employee’s ordinary income in the year withdrawn. Read the rest of this sponsor article here.

You are Entitled to Your Opinion but Not Your Own Facts. Dr. Lisa Parady, Executive Director, ACSA

True or False? 

• Administration costs bloat school budgets. Alaska funds education near the top when compared to states nationwide. 
• There is no need for an increase to the BSA because Schools are flush with money from their district fund balances and remaining Covid funds. 
•  Accountability is needed to increase student performance. 

Unfortunately, misinformation continues to make rounds in the media and around the capitol about the education system in Alaska. However, we allow false narrative to gain traction when we don't take steps to dispute the blatantly wrong information with the facts to our communities, local media, and legislators. Read the rest of Lisa's article here.

Thank You, Power Lunch Presenters!

March 28: Recruitment & Retention Incentives for School Health Professionals by Nathan Block, Program Coordinator II, Sharp Program, and Patty Owen, Health Program Manager, Office of School Health & Safety, Division of Public Health

April 18: Retiree Rehire and TRS/PRS Retirement Applications byTraci Walther, Accountant V/Payroll Supervisor, State of Alaska Division of Retirement and Benefits; Natasha Golovatiuk, Senior Benefits Counselor, Division of Retirement and Benefits; Melody Douglas, ALASBO

Thank You!

Summer Leadership &

Conference Gold Level

Sponsor

American Fidelity

Thank You!

Conference

Bronze Level

Sponsor

HUB International

Insurance and Risk Solutions

samantha.stringer@hubinternational.com