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Investing in Your Board is Investing in Your Students
Lon Garrison, Executive Director
While the thought of investing in the stock market today feels extremely risky, there is one investment that will return handsomely and provide benefits that can change lives! It is investing in yourselves as school board members.
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Supporting Our Neighbors in Hurricane-affected Alaska School Districts | | |
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Students, families and staff in AASB member districts have been severely impacted by recent flooding from Typhoon Merbok.
The Western Alaska Disaster Recovery Fund has been created to address the immediate needs and support the recovery and restoration of communities in Kashunamiut, Lower Yukon, Lower Kuskokwim, Nome, Bering Strait, and Northwest Arctic school districts.
The fund has so far raised over $850,000 from corporate and individual donations.
If you wish to help provide support to Alaskans in the communities this natural disaster has impacted, click the button below. 100% of your gift will go directly to support the relief and recovery efforts.
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Creating the Conditions for Family Partnerships
Claudia Plesa, AASB Conditions for Learning / Community Engagement Manager
| The Association of Alaska School Boards and more than 20 partners across the state are working together to create the conditions for family partnership. | |
Most recently, AASB was awarded the Alaska Statewide Family Engagement Center grant that supports three key areas of work: 1) statewide coordination for school and family partnership; 2) family partnership district support and professional learning for 14 school districts; 3) intensive family partnership strategies for select schools. | | |
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The Current Challenges of Staff Recruitment and Retention | |
AASB Executive Director Lon Garrison, ASA/ACSA Executive Director Lisa Parady, and former Ketchikan Superintendent Bob Boyle hosted this September 8th webinar.
They discussed the high number of certified and classified staff vacancies this year, and presented strategies for how districts can navigate the most challenging recruitment and retention period Alaska has ever experienced.
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REGISTRATION DEADLINE: OCTOBER 15
2023 School Climate & Connectedness Survey (SCCS)
2023 Statewide SCCS Window:
January 16 – March 31
Districts select 1 two-week window for students & staff
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We invite your district to participate in the 2023 School Climate & Connectedness Survey (SCCS). Each year, the majority of Alaska school districts collect and use school climate data to improve and strengthen school environments, relationships, and connections between students, staff and families. |
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AASB Fall Boardsmanship Academy Focused on Teacher Recruitment, Postsecondary Opportunities. Coming Soon: Annual Conference!
Jenni Lefing, Membership Services Manager
AASB held its Fall Boardsmanship Academy on September 17-18 in Fairbanks. School board members came together to increase their knowledge around issues impacting students, improve boardsmanship skills, and connect with members from across the state.
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OCTOBER 5-6
Maintenance Employees Conference
AASB and Alaska Public Entities Insurance (APEI) have teamed up to bring you the 9th annual Maintenance Employees Conference, October 5-6 at the Clarion Suites Downtown Anchorage.
This 2-day conference will focus on providing content centered on school district maintenance issues and safety. It’s a great way to learn from experts and your peers, and network with other maintenance folks from across the state.
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NOVEMBER 3-6
AASB 69th Annual Conference
Registration Now Open!
Join us November 3-6, 2022 at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage for AASB’s 69th Annual Conference! This year’s in-person Annual Conference will include two general sessions, over 15 breakout sessions, roundtables, snapshot sessions, networking opportunities, June Nelson Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser, Delegate Assembly, and more!
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FRIDAY KEYNOTE
Joel Isaak
Director, Tribal Affairs, Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
Joel Isaak is Dena’ina from Kenai Alaska. He uses the unique way the arts uncover understanding for working in an educational environment that combines a formal Western education model with customary traditional Native Alaskan life ways.
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SATURDAY KEYNOTE
Dr. Janelle Vanasse, Ed.D.
President, Alaska Pacific University
Throughout her career, Dr. Vanasse has elevated the educational experience for Alaska Native students. She believes that scholarship and leadership are enhanced when influenced by our authentic selves and delights in recognizing past students in emerging leadership roles.
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DEADLINE: OCTOBER 4
Call for Resolutions
AASB is seeking resolutions, resolution amendments and comments from local school boards for consideration at the 2022 Annual Conference on November 3-6, 2022.
These resolutions guide our association for the coming year, clarify advocacy positions for the next legislative session, and address issues facing Alaska boards and public education.
AASB asks each school board to carefully review the resolutions packet.
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DEADLINE: OCTOBER 7
AASB Awards Nominations
Member school districts, submit your nominations for:
- Carl Rose Governance Award Recognizes an outstanding school board member.
- Outstanding School Board Award Honors a school board that effectively serves students.
- AASB Board of Directors 5 three-year seats and 1 one-year seat open.
Please Note: All nominations require official board action. Winners will be announced during Annual Conference.
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Annual Conference Opportunities
How you can be involved!
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November 7
Now for Next Workshop
Turning the curve on Alaska's
postsecondary outcomes
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AASB is co-hosting the Now for Next workshop on Monday, November 7 at the Hotel Captain Cook. It's free to attend for those who attended Annual Conference, but space is limited.
This day-long workshop will follow on the heels of AASB's Annual Conference and give school board members, families, educators, employers, and policymakers time to explore how we can work together to ensure that each student has a plan for their future, communities have the leaders they need, and employers have the Alaskan workforce they desire. Contact Emily Ferry with questions.
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Student Allotments to Private Schools Remain as “Clear as Mud”
“Fine Tuning” Episode 2
Clint Campion, Sedor, Wendlandt, Evans & Filippi, LLC
On July 25, 2022, the Alaska Attorney General’s Office issued an opinion intended to “fine tune” the rules on the use of student allotment funds for student instruction from private and religious educational institutions. Use of Correspondence School Allotments (alaska.gov).
The opinion provides guidance on what it describes as “low risk” use of student allotment funds but acknowledged a continuing “gray area.” This gray area creates potential legal risk for school districts that operate correspondence study programs.
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Consent agenda: great tool for speedier meetings
Ann Macfarlane, Professional Parliamentarian
One of the most useful tools for efficient meetings is a “consent agenda.” This is a single item of business on a regular agenda that includes several items bundled together. The items cannot be discussed or debated. They are approved with a single vote.
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When do new board members have to be seated following the certification of the election?
Answer: State statute says reorganization of the board should occur within seven days after certification. New board members should be seated in time to participate in the reorganization of the board. That can be very difficult in some communities, so we recommend you do it as soon as you possibly can after the certified results are published. Many boards have a special meeting just for this purpose.
Got a question? Email Timi Tullis, Tiffany Jackson, or Jenni Lefing
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Complete the FAFSA Now!
Did you know that last year Alaskan students missed out on $15 million in free federal student aid? The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens October 1st. Applying early puts students first in line for needs-based scholarships like the Alaska Education Grant.
The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) provides FREE classroom resources and events to help students plan for life after high school. Learn more about how your district can use ACPE’s K-8 Programs, AKCIS (Alaska’s Career information system) and the FAFSA Completion Initiative.
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The Alaska Reads Act webpage is live
HB 114 was passed by the 32nd Alaska State Legislature to create a comprehensive K-3 reading policy designed to improve reading outcomes. Learn about the four new Alaska Reads Act programs:
1. Early Education, Parents as Teachers
2. District Reading Intervention
3. Department Reading Program
4. Virtual Education
Visit Page
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Save the Date: Science of Reading Symposium II
The next Alaska Science of Reading Symposium will be held April 28-30 at the Anchorage Egan Center No registration fee, 1000 participant cap.
Goal for this year’s symposium: Empower Alaskan educators to connect understanding of reading science to classroom and leadership practices, resulting in increased reading proficiency for students.
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Alaska Suicide Prevention Survey
The Statewide Suicide Prevention Council is updating the 5-year Statewide Suicide Prevention Plan and they want to hear Alaskans' thoughts and suggestions on statewide suicide prevention efforts. Scan the QR code below to take a short survey.
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Association of Alaska School Boards | aasb.org | |
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