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LEADERSHIP
Thankful, but Not Quite There…..
Lon Garrison, Executive Director, AASB
The end of another school year is upon us, and just as miraculously, the Legislature has adjourned after a one-day special session. And while the hubbub of the daily routine of school operations and the legislative calendar has subsided for the next few months, I find myself in a state of reflection. Piece by piece, I am trying to make sense of what this past year has dished out to school boards, administrators, teachers, support staff, students, and communities. What have we accomplished? What has succeeded? What came up short? But most importantly, did we support students, and did they succeed?
I imagine the excitement, joy, and pride many of you feel as graduations occur across the state. I dearly miss the times I got to stand and hand out diplomas to students ready to move on. I know that some students excelled, and others just barely made it. I also know that if it were not for public education, many of those students would not have an opportunity to become a successful and important piece of our collective communities. You made a difference, and that counts for something.
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GUEST COLUMN
Champions of Literacy: A Resource Guide for Alaska School Board Members
Amy Jo Meiners, R16CC Education Specialist
As School Board members, you have the ability to impact change. The decisions that your Board makes in support of literacy have the undeniable power to transform the future of our students, communities, and state.
In respect of your outreach, Region 16 Comprehensive Center and the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development are collaborating with the Association of Alaska School Boards to aid local School Board efforts in addressing the requirements of the Alaska Reads Act.
Literacy is foundational to our students’ ability to advocate for their communities, access knowledge, and launch careers here in Alaska or across the nation.
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GUEST COLUMN
CISA Helps Schools Strengthen Cybersecurity Efforts
Patrick Massey, CISA Region 10 Regional Director, CISARegion10@cisa.dhs.gov
The relationship Americans have with the schools their children attend has changed dramatically over the last few years. Now, parents and students alike are interacting online with schools and teachers in a variety of new ways. From online grading and information on class assignments, to instructor communication and scheduling classes, we have never been more electronically connected to our schools, creating great conveniences.
While these advances have made education more accessible and effective, malicious cyber actors are hard at work trying to exploit vulnerabilities in these systems. It’s a new challenge facing school administrators and school board members that could have far-reaching negative impacts if not addressed BEFORE a cyberattack occurs.
As elected school board members, you have the vital task of representing your respective communities to ensure children have access to the best education. But there is also the responsibility of a vast array operational issues – personal data safety and information technology security being some of the most important.
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BOARD DEVELOPMENT
AASB’s Board Development Team is Here to Help!
Timi Tullis, AASB Associate Executive Director
As your needs as Boards grow, so does our team. We are thrilled to announce that a familiar face, Katie Oliver from Kodiak, will join the AASB board development team in August. Katie comes to us with 12 years of experience as an elected school board member and 20 years of nonprofit management experience. Also, as most of you know, she has served on AASB’s Board of Directors, including as President of the Association in 2021! We could not be more excited to have someone with Katie’s experience and involvement with our association join our team.
As the Policy and Superintendent Search Manager, Katie will develop and implement a process for recommended policy review, assist with researching, developing and implementing Board Development and leadership programs and function as the lead coordinator and primary contact for superintendent searches. As well as Katie, Jenni Lefing, Tiffany Jackson, and I are here to support you whenever possible.
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CONDITIONS FOR LEARNING
Educational Equity: How are we doing?
Lori Grassgreen, Director of Conditions for Learning / Community Engagement
School board members across the state contributed to the AASB educational equity statement, which states, “AASB believes in educational excellence for all of Alaska’s students. Equity in public education means the fair allocation of resources, based on need, to address opportunity gaps and promote success for every student in Alaska. AASB offers tools and resources to school boards and school districts to identify and eliminate systemic barriers and discriminatory practices, prejudices and beliefs.”
Many districts are investing in staff, programs, curricula, and partnerships to improve equity for their students. This has meant looking at data, adopting policies, using frameworks, and adopting or adapting curricula. School Climate and Connectedness data from over 30 school districts in Alaska shows some districts are having an impact.
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AASB’s Membership Video
We are pleased to present to our members AASB’s Membership Video! The idea to create a video highlighting the work that AASB does with school board members across the state was put forth by the AASB membership committee in 2022.
The passion, knowledge, and leadership of all the school board members we work with inspire us daily. Alaska’s board members are committed to student success and we are honored to showcase in this video some stories from board members about what it means to them to serve in this unique position.
Thank you for your service to Alaska’s students and your community as board members. We know this is not easy work, and AASB will continue to strive to meet your needs and support you every step of the way.
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Results from the 2023 School Climate and Connectedness survey now available!
This year's statewide results represent 31,071 Students, 4,685 Staff and 6,145 Families from 33 Districts. Access Alaska’s Statewide Results here:
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Congratulations 2023 June Nelson
Memorial Scholarship Winners!
This year’s successful fundraising efforts have allowed AASB to award fifteen $1,500 scholarships, which may be applied toward the student’s choice of a business, trade, or college institution. Here are the fourteen graduating Alaska high school seniors, and one college sophomore selected to receive 2023 June Nelson Memorial scholarships.
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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 positions. Click on a title to see the full job description.
CFL Deputy Director
This position will work closely with the Conditions for Learning (CFL) Director and the CFL Manager to oversee and support our growing team at the Association of Alaska School Boards.
Southeast Alaska Full Service Community Schools Coordinator
This position is the lead project coordinator at the Association of Alaska School Boards for the Full Service Community Schools (FSCS) grant funded by the US Department of Education.
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Missed a Session?
Slides and videos of the 2023 First-term Board Members and Did You Know?
webinar series' are now available! Catch up on the sessions you may have missed!
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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! Browse the list of 2023 webinar topics with links to slideshows and videos. Note: Member password required to access videos. |
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In the “How do you know?” webinar series AASB’s Conditions for Learning team will walk you through easy-to-access data sources and approaches to understanding where you’re at with these types of initiatives and how to move forward for maximum impact. | | |
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On Your Mark, Get Set, Go!
With The DASH TO SAVE™ Incentive Program
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Save in Alaska. Study anywhere.
The world is full of opportunities. Finding the spark that fuels the imagination is what life is all about. Whatever career path your child might choose, Alaska 529 has a plan for it. Let us help you turn your child's sparks into a bright, bright future.
- Any earnings grow tax-deferred, and qualified distributions are exempt from federal taxes.
- Anyone can open or contribute to a 529 account, including grandparents, family members, and friends.
- You can use your assets in or outside of Alaska at any eligible university, college, vocational school, apprenticeship, or even K-12 public, private, and religious schools.
| Many thanks to Alaska 529 for their generous sponsorship of AASB's 2022-23 events! | | |
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“NOTICE: DO NOT LET STUDENTS READ THIS COMMENTARY”
“Fine Tuning” Episode 10 (Now with Practice Pointers!)
John M. Sedor, Sedor, Wendlandt, Evans & Filippi, LLC
We have reached the end of the 2022-23 school year … which means the end of our series titled “Fine-Tuning … Now with Practice Pointers!” We hope you have enjoyed it!
But before we close this year out, imagine for a moment, that a parent comes up to you tomorrow and gives you a piece of paper and says, “[Insert your name here], this list of books is inappropriate for our students and all of these books are in our library. What are you going to do about it?”
What can you do? What should you do?
This issue – the removal of books from the school library – is in the process of being fine-tuned not only in Alaska but across the country. It is a perplexing and difficult legal issue. There is no simple legal answer.
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Renewing a defeated motion at a future meeting
Ann Macfarlane, Professional Parliamentarian
Robert’s Rules of Order is quite strict about dealing with something once in a meeting and moving on. If a motion has been defeated, the only way to bring the same motion up again during that meeting is to move to reconsider the motion. You have to have voted with the prevailing side—the side that won the vote—in order to move to reconsider. The reason is pretty obvious. We don’t want to have a disgruntled minority bringing up something over and over again during the meeting.
However, Robert’s Rules is wide open about bringing up a defeated motion at a future meeting. This is called “renewing the motion.”
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How many school board members can be on a committee of the board?
Answer: According to BB 9130, "the membership of these committees is limited to less than a majority of the whole School Board;" meaning that any committee should have less board members than would make a quorum.
For example, if your board has 9 members, a committee should only have 5 or less school board members. The committee can have more than 5 members if the additional members are not on the board.
Committees may (and are encouraged) to also seek input and participation from parents/guardians, staff, community and students, and may consult with local public boards and agencies.
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Who’s Your Hero?
Alaska Communications seeks nominations for its annual Summer of Heroes scholarship program with Boys & Girls Clubs - Alaska.
People can nominate Alaska youth, ages 6-18, who are making a difference in their communities. Up to five youth heroes will be awarded a $2,000 scholarship and earn special recognition in their local community.
This community program aims to promote awareness and support for youth development programs throughout the state. Nominate your hero online at or at a Boys & Girls Clubs – Alaska clubhouse.
Nominations are due June 18.
Nomination Form
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Register for the Alaska School Safety & Well-Being Summit
September 13-14, 2023
Educational leaders, key staff, and strategic stakeholders, including representation from every district across the state, will convene to improve school safety and well-being in Alaska by both learning and sharing methods to: Promote healthy development through trauma-engaged and restorative practices, improve school climate, and be better prepared for any possible school crisis.
Registration
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Dr. Charles TenBroeck is AASSP's Alaska Principal of the Year
The Alaska Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP) is proud to announce the Alaska Principal of the Year for 2023 is Dr. Charles TenBroeck, principal of Hopson Middle School in Utqiagvik.
Dr. TenBroeck grew up in Michigan and served in the United State Marine Corps. He received his Bachelor's degree from Eastern Michigan University, his Master's degree from Marygrove College, and his Doctorate from Liberty University.
Dr. TenBroeck taught for 13 years in Michigan before moving to Alaska to teach at Eben Hopson Middle School in 2014. He became the school's assistant principal in 2017 and has served as principal since 2018. Read More
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DEED names Catherine Walker 2024 Alaska Teacher of the Year
Catherine Walker at Dimond High School in Anchorage has been named the 2024 Alaska Teacher of the Year. A graduate of Brandeis University in Waltham, MA, Walker has been teaching at Dimond High School since 2017.
She has taught Engineering Essentials, Unmanned Aviation Science, Oceanography, Marine Biology, Biology, and 9th-grade Science. Walker started many of these courses at Dimond, including Project Lead the Way Engineering Essentials. Walker creates a classroom environment focused on career-oriented problem solvers in the community with a focus on mental health through high expectations with interdisciplinary lessons. Read More
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Anchorage – Anchorage School District sees high numbers of teachers retiring and resigning – Morgan Krakow, Anchorage Daily News
Delta Greely – Intervention team makes a difference – Delta Elementary School
Fairbanks – Teacher, staff unions continue pushing for contract talks – Jack Barnwell, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
Juneau – School board accepts teachers union contract – Clarise Larson, Juneau Empire
Kashunamiut – Being a new teacher is hard. Having a good mentor can help – Cory Turner, NPR
Kenai – Proposed borough budget focuses on schools, balancing spending and revenue – Riley Board, KDLL
Ketchikan – Judge rules traditional tribal values can stay in Ketchikan schools – Raegan Miller, KRBD
Kodiak – Mika: Schools still need permanent funding fix – Caleb Oswell, Kodiak Daily Mirror
Lower Kuskokwim – ANSEP celebrates largest-ever Acceleration Academy graduating class – Delta Discovery
Wrangell – To get an electric bus, Wrangell schools must first buy an old diesel bus — and destroy it – Sage Smiley, KSTK
More Alaska School District News
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Alaska Legislature passes budget with $1,300 PFD and boost to school funding – Lex Treinen, Alaska Public Media
Legislature narrowly rejects governor’s appointee to University of Alaska regents – Iris Samuels, Anchorage Daily News
Stalled on a fiscal plan, Alaska House Republicans turn to home-school funding – Iris Samuels, ADN
Senate passes bill implementing new civics requirements to graduate high school – Clarise Larson, Juneau Empire
An intro to the Alaska Reads Act – Christina McDermott, KDLG
20 lawmakers urge governor to allow adaptation of Alaska’s teen dating violence classes for national use – Sean Maguire, Anchorage Daily News
More than 1,100 student loan borrowers in Alaska approved for Public Service Loan Forgiveness – KINY
Kipnuk athlete breaks world record at State NYO – Greg Lincoln, Delta Discovery
Southeast student-artists shine at Region V Art Fest – Jonson Kuhn, Juneau Empire
Alaska sports association decides against barring transgender girls from girls’ teams – Iris Samuels, ADN
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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