LEADERSHIP

AASB Priorities are a priority for Alaska

Lon Garrison, Executive Director

On January 17^th, the 33^rd Alaska Legislature began its first session. This officially marks the beginning of AASB’s formal state legislative advocacy season. I am joined once again by Norm Wooten, who will be providing essential support in covering the day-in and day-out coverage of the legislature while also continuing to be the primary contributor to our weekly publication, “The Session.”

As we prepare for our traditional February Advocacy Fly-in for school board members and youth, I thought it appropriate to speak to the importance and impact your voice can have when advocating for AASB’s 2023 Legislative Priorities.

The AASB Board of Directors met the day after our Delegate Assembly last November and voted to put forward three critically important priorities facing school districts across the state. The Board felt that these three issues deserved the greatest level of attention as they affect every district in the state. The priorities are as follows:

• Sufficient and Sustainable Education Funding
• Recruitment and Retention of Teachers, Administrators, and Staff
• Student Wellness and Safety

BOARD DEVELOPMENT

Board Self-Evaluation: A Key to Successful

Board-Superintendent Relationships

Jenni Lefing, Membership Services Manager

There are two crucial evaluations that are key to a successful board-superintendent relationship. Just like you evaluate your superintendent each year, it is equally important to evaluate the board as a whole. A board self-evaluation is an opportunity for the district governance team to review and consider their effectiveness as a leadership group. 

CONDITIONS FOR LEARNING

Youth on Boards: Student Ideas on Meaningful Youth Leadership

Connor Meyer, AASB Community Engagement Educator

In December AASB hosted the inaugural Youth on Boards (YOB), a two-day training for students from across the state to collaborate with their peers and spend time learning ways to be effective advocates as youth board representatives in their school districts. YOB was a unique opportunity for board members to interact with their students in smaller group sessions, and for students to have their voices heard by board members.

Watch the video to hear what students attending the Youth On Boards training had to say!

The video can also be viewed here.

Marie Paul

Southwest Region School District

With great sadness, we at AASB note the recent passing of Marie Paul, a longtime Southwest Region School District board member and beloved member of the community of Togiak.

Marie was a committed and dedicated public servant. Her many professional roles included President of Bristol Bay Native Corporation Education Foundation (26 years), Bristol Bay Native Corporation Board member (17 years), Togiak City Administrator, Health Aide, UAF Learning Center Coordinator, President of the Traditional Council of Togiak, and Vice President of the Southwest Region School Board.

She was first elected to the Southwest Region School Board in 1992 and served on the board for 26 years, most of that time as Vice President. A passionate education and youth advocate, Marie worked tirelessly to ensure that all students in the district received the best possible education experience.

Marie was a respected leader who will be remembered for her generous spirit, wise counsel, and lasting contributions to the organizations, communities, and region she served. Our deepest condolences to Marie's husband Herman, their children and extended family, and her countless friends and colleagues. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her, and her memory will live on in the hearts of the many lives she touched.

• 2023 AASB Legislative Priorities
• Supporting Resolutions for AASB Priorities
• Legislative Advocacy Resources for School Districts
• Guide to Lobbying the Alaska Legislature – A Primer for Alaska School Board Members
• What Does Alaska’s Constitution Say About Education?
• Alaska Constitution (PDF)

Please Tell Us What’s on Your Mind? – Fine-Tuning Public Comment at School Board Meetings

“Fine Tuning” Episode 6

John M. Sedor, Sedor, Wendlandt, Evans & Filippi, LLC

For most of my career, school board meetings were relatively non-controversial affairs. That changed a few years ago. School board meetings have become a focal point for political and cultural differences.

This month’s commentary provides practical considerations to limit the potential for public comment disruptions at your meeting. It also explores potential liability for “content based” restrictions.

Unraveling the mysteries of “second the motion”

Ann Macfarlane, Professional Parliamentarian

Second the motion—everybody knows how to do that, right? Well, in fact there are some funny ideas floating around about this ordinary act of meeting procedure.

Let’s unravel the mysteries.

Are school districts required to record their board meetings?

Answer: No. Many do to help with the creation of the minutes, however, it’s important to delete the recording after the minutes have been adopted. 

Got a question? Email Timi Tullis, Tiffany Jackson, or Jenni Lefing