ALASBO Annual Conference 2023

Even though registration for the Annual Conference won't open until October, it is not too early to be planning for your attendance.

• Dec. 2: NBMI all day
• Dec. 3: Pre-Conference & School Business Academy Part 2
• Dec. 4-6: Annual Conference should conclude by 1:30 Wednesday.

• Alaska Airlines is offering a 10% discount for travel to the event: use fare code ECME683
• The Hotel Captain Cook room block has rooms for $110: use code ALASBO23 or this online booking link: Alaska Association of School Business Officials 2023

Click here to view last year's program.

ALASBO President Message- Yodean Armour

While summer can be a hectic time for those working in the Business Office, I hope everyone was able to take a moment to get out and spend time on the land or water, and I hope this newsletter finds everyone recharged and ready for the new school year.

Summer Leadership was held in Juneau mid-July, and it was an amazing opportunity to connect with colleagues across the State and take part in relevant professional development. After the conference opened Friday evening, Saturday consisted of the following sessions: Radical Candor & Inspire Integrity (Gina Lanier, Colorado ASBO), AK Cultural Standards (Jackie Wood,SERRC), Community & Education Issues (Nils Andreassen. Alaska Municipal League) and Annual Conference Planning. Sunday finished up the conference with: The Importance of, and Tips and Tricks for, Advocacy (Frank Hauser, Superintendent of Juneau School District, and Senator Jesse Kiehl), What is Your Working Style? (Timi Tullis, AASB), and a no-host group whale watching tour. Huge thank you to our presenters, sponsors and ALASBO staff.

As summer is winding down, and we are gearing up for the upcoming school year, I hope we can all take a moment to stop and reflect on this year’s theme: Continued Dedication to Alaska’s Children. As Business Officials, we are always doing our best to stay on top of rules and regulations to ensure that we are here to support all staff in our Districts. ALASBO has many professional development opportunities: Power Lunches, ALASBO Annual Conference, ACSA Legislative Fly-In, AASB/ALASBO Maintenance Conference, HR Workshop, New Business Manager Institute, School Business Academy and ASBO International Annual Conference. I hope to see you at this year’s Annual Conference in December, and that we all have a smooth start to the school year!

Executive Director Message- Darcy Carter

One of the most beautiful sunsets I have seen was in Lahaina. Lets hold a place in our hearts for the people affected by the disaster that struck Maui, and the countless others around the globe suffering from disasters, war and poverty.

Thanks to our presenters and attendees, ALASBO had a successful and fun Summer Leadership Conference in Juneau this July. Recently I listened to a recorded talk titled Finding a True Teacher by Koun Franz and I thought many of his ideas pertained to leadership. 

One of those ideas is about maturity. People who seem like real grown-ups have some common factors: a degree of letting go, being at ease with the unknown, and curiosity without clinging. When someone has moved beyond the need to hold things “just so” and holds with a loose grip, we know they have moved past just trying to keep it all together. Leaders must be able to do what is needed even when it is tough to do so.

Another area we can look at to recognize a true leader is acts of control. Look at what they are trying to control. Do they control who is in the conversation and who is not? Do they try to control what you think and how you behave? It comes back to maturity. When immature, we see a world that needs to be controlled in order to be OK. 

Whether you are leading your team, your organization, your family, or yourself, leadership is a practice of offering that should be entered through a door of humility.

ALASBO Education Director- Cindy Reilly

Have you been taking advantage of the many PD opportunities being offered by ALASBO?  As a newbie, I am so excited by all the support from our organization.  The kickoff of Year 6 of the New Business Managers Institute (NBMI) happened within 2 weeks of me assuming my new position as Education Director.  It was amazing to see the retired and veteran members giving so selflessly of their knowledge base to help the newer business officials get up to speed in their new jobs.  

The Summer Leadership Conference was a great time to network with colleagues and enjoy outstanding professional development sessions.  Then the School Business Academy Part 1 was so practical.  I know all who attended took home lots of tips and tricks to make their work and personal life better after this info-filled weekend.

And this is just the beginning of a great Fall for ALASBO and our members.  We are planning Power Lunches to begin soon and be held monthly.  This gives you a chance to gain PD right at your desk from state and national experts.  In October, we will be partnering with AASB to offer professional development to maintenance and operations professionals.  This will be hands on training in their field on systems they maintain, handling chemicals and even repairing a vacuum.  The HR committee is working to put together an HR workshop that will be offered over several zoom calls.  And then we will culminate with our Annual Conference in December, at which I hope to see all of you!   Don’t underestimate the efficiency you’ll gain by taking time to learn and grow.

ALASBO Good Alaska School Maintenance Professional Training - October 6, 2023, Anchorage

This one-day training, located in Anchorage, is for facility operations staff, including management, maintenance and custodial. This training will include maintenance best practices, operational staff roles in design, custodial management principles and compliance, CMMS and other key aspects of facility operations in Alaska. This includes some hands-on training, so come properly attired to visit operational facility spaces such as mechanical rooms and roofs.

The training is in conjunction with the AASB 10th annual Maintenance Employees Conference, October 4-5, 2023. The 2-day conference will provide content centered on school district maintenance issues and safety. Attendees will learn from experts and peers, and network with other maintenance employees from across the state.

Get more information and register for both trainings here: maintenance-employees-conference-2023

Member Spotlight:

Martha Morgan

Our member spotlight shines on Martha Morgan. Martha is the Business Manager at Kuspuk SD, and is celebrating 30 years there.

Read more about Martha here.

Teacher Certification Update

The PowerPoint and recording of the August 11th Teacher Certification Updates presentation are available through the following link:

Teacher Certification Update under the “2023 Summer” tab.

The presentation was given by

Sondra Meredith

Administrator, Teacher Education & Certification

Division of Innovation & Education Excellence

Alaska Department of Education & Early Development

Teamwork Dr. Lisa Parady, Executive Director, ACSA

The adage first coined by clergyman John C. Maxwell, “Teamwork makes the dream work” is TRUE!  Collaboration between school superintendents and business officials is crucial for the success of all Alaska school districts, especially in the face of budget cuts and financial challenges. By leveraging our combined distinct skill sets and diverse perspectives to problem solving, ALASBO and ASA Members can work together to create a cohesive and effective plan for their school districts to advocate for additional resources this coming session, e.g., education funding, major maintenance, READS Act implementation support, etc. 

Budget planning is a crucial area where teamwork is essential. Superintendents and business officials must collaborate to develop a fiscally responsible budget that supports the district's academic goals. This requires a deep understanding of the educational needs of the district, as well as the financial constraints that must be considered. Steve Jobs was so right in his quote “Great things in business are never done by one person, they’re done by a team of people.” 

READ THE REST OF LISA'S ARTCLE HERE.

Thank You, Power Lunch Presenters!

June 20: GASB Statement No. 96 Subscription-Based Information Technology Arrangements (SBITAs) Overview Presented by Brandon Katter, Altman, Rogers and Co., Audit Supervisor

August 16: Donors Choose Accountability Questions facilitated by Melody Douglas, ALASBO Associate Executive Director, with DEED Deputy Commissioner Heidi Teschner and members of her team: Joel Roylance, Erica Cuzzort, Nicole Endsley and Karen Morrison and Kirk Smiley from Donors Choose.

Thank You!

NBMI Platinum Level Sponsor

Altman, Rogers & Co.

Thank You!

Summer Leadership &

Conference Gold Level

Sponsor

American Fidelity

Thank You!

Conference

Bronze Level

Sponsor

Horace Mann



Click here to locate an agent.

Thank You!

Conference

Silver Level

Sponsor

Wells Fargo

Local Government Banking,

Jennifer Bump, 907-750-9574