LEADERSHIP

Resisting the Society of “Me”

Lon Garrison, Executive Director

The following is my address to the AASB membership at the 2022 AASB Annual Conference, on November 5, 2022.

As I reflected on this year’s conference theme, Ensuring Opportunities for

all Students, I thought about my previous service as a school board member and why I was so committed and passionate about the work.

I have come to realize that my greatest satisfaction as a member was not my personal accomplishments, but the results of that work with my fellow board members that created opportunities for our students to grow and succeed. To give them opportunities that make their lives better and their future communities prosper.

BOARD DEVELOPMENT

For Boards, Practice Makes Perfect

Timi Tullis, Associate Executive Director

While leading the Experienced Board Member Academy during the Annual Conference in November, sessions were focused on the relationship between the Board and the Superintendent. During a presentation, someone said that the Board, just like a sports team, has to practice. Not just once but continuously. Even experienced Boards need to continue to grow. Once an election occurs and new members join the Board, it is time to dig in and practice even more.

How can a Board ‘practice’ their roles and responsibilities so they can be a top-notch Board? What will help you become ‘state champs’ or, in our terms, “Board of the Year”? Here are a few tips from our team.

POLICY & ADVOCACY

AASB Produces Equity Statement Video

Tiffany Jackson, Director of Membership Services



At the November 2021 Board of Directors meeting, the Board of Directors adopted the latest version of its long range plan. Goal area 1 of this plan includes “Empower our boards to prioritize equity and transform educational systems to increase the academic achievement and graduation rates of students who are grounded in their cultural identify so they have the ability to successfully pursue their goals.”

As part of this goal, the Board of Directors developed an Equity Statement that was adopted at their 2022 Summer Board meeting in Bethel. A video was created to share the statement and was shown to the membership at the 2022 AASB Annual Conference.

CONDITIONS FOR LEARNING

Preparing Students for their Postsecondary Future

Emily Ferry, AASB Collective Impact Coordinator

As a junior in high school in rural King Cove, AK, Dannielle Carlson was top of her class. However, she didn’t plan to attend college until her teachers helped her to apply. Despite this support, Dannielle felt unprepared. “My K-12 education did not prepare me with the skills I needed to survive, let alone thrive academically," she said. "Thankfully, I had the skills to teach myself things and the determination to make a life for myself.

This fall Alaskans from across the state came together to explore what we can do NOW to help students prepare for what’s NEXT in order to turn the curve on Alaska’s postsecondary outcomes from last to best. Read more about their insights and recommendations

2023 School Climate & Connectedness Survey (SCCS)

There's still time to register!

2023 Statewide SCCS Window:

January 16 – March 31

Districts select 1 five-week window for students & staff

Vision Day at Saint Mary's School District

In partnership with GlassesUSA.com, AASB co-sponsored Vision Day at Elicarvicuar Elementary School in Saint Mary's School District on November 15th. Miss America 2022 Emma Broyles and Miss Alaska 2022 Jessica Reisinger were on hand to help students pick out free prescription eyewear during the event.

The team received a warm welcome from Superintendent

Dee Dee Ivanoff, Principal Teresa Paukan, Saint Mary’s School District Board Members, and AASB Past President Pete Hoepfner of Cordova City School District. GlassesUSA.com representatives CMO Arie Tom and Leah Sushelsky, Director of Marketing Communications & PR were also present to organize the event logistics.

Saint Mary's students had the opportunity to select from a variety of brand new glasses frames, and optometrists from YKHC were on hand to conduct vision screenings to ensure each student received the correct prescription lenses.

MEMBERSHIP SERVICES

AASB’s 2022 Annual Conference Wrap-Up

Jenni Lefing, AASB Membership Services Manager

It was great to see so many of you at this year’s Annual Conference! In attendance were 42 school districts, over 200 school board members, district leaders, and statewide partners, and over 70 students and chaperones, for the first in-person Youth Leadership Institute (YLI) since 2019. 

Throughout the four days, attendees connected while learning, networking and sharing insights together. One attendee noted, “It is moving seeing how deeply all of the school board members care about our kids. I have a new appreciation for their dedication and hard work.” 

Video: YLI Student Interviews

Students attending the 2022 Annual Conference to participate in the AASB Youth Leadership Institute (YLI) were interviewed about their post-high school plans.

Hear students' thoughts on where they see themselves 20 years from now, and what skills and strengths they'll need to attain their goals.

"Home Sweet Home?"

“Fine Tuning” Episode 4

Clinton Campion, Sedor, Wendlandt, Evans & Filippi, LLC

As we are all grappling with rising costs due to inflation and statewide housing shortages, this month, our commentary focuses on the issue of teacher housing.

This is the fourth installment of our 2022-23 school year theme of “fine tuning.” Specifically, we are looking at the issue of “fine tuning” policies and practices regarding teacher housing.

Making a motion is a power move

Ann Macfarlane, Professional Parliamentarian

As readers know, in a small board (up to about 12 people), it is fine to discuss an issue without having a formal motion on the table. Many of our nonprofit boards do this. A topic is listed on the agenda, and people kick it around before coming to a consensus about what to do.

It’s different in a large assembly (“assembly” is the jargon word for a board or membership meeting). According to Robert’s Rules of Order, you must have a motion—a proposal for action—before any discussion begins.

Are position transfers/changes of certificated staff something the Board must approve?

Answer:

Reassignment of administrative personnel is solely a management responsibility of the superintendent. In practice, this is usually implemented by the superintendent with communication to the board regardless of whether or not it is voluntary or involuntary. Boards should trust their superintendent, but it was important that the superintendent communicate the rationale to the board about the benefit to the district and not disclose confidential personnel information. 

There are two board policies that pertain to this issue: