Julie Kitka will be transitioning out of the President role at the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) later this year. The AFN board is thankful for her 33 years as President and for announcing her departure in advance to allow for transition time. The board is committed to ensuring a smooth transition and has officially launched the search for AFN’s next President.
The board is looking to cast a wide net to seek diverse candidates with strong commitments to serving the Alaska Native community. We ask that you help spread the word about this important opportunity.
The Position: AFN President
AFN seeks a dedicated leader to serve as its next President and as a statewide, national, and international ambassador for Alaska Native people. AFN is an organization always evolving to meet the changing needs of Alaska Natives while keeping central to its identity the intention of AFN to bring together the Alaska Native community as one voice. AFN’s next President will be responsible for strengthening this sense of unity while working to protect and advance Alaska Native peoples’ inherent rights and self-determination. The ideal candidate will be a humble leader with executive experience, working knowledge of the systems, processes, and strategic approaches required to effect federal and state policy change, and an accomplished record of impact in advocating to protect and advance Alaska Native interests.
To learn more, read the full position profile here: https://www.forakergroup.org/site/index.cfm/cboard-view/10158
For questions, please e-mail [email protected]. Communications will be treated in confidence and resumes will be accepted until April 15.
Alaska Federation of Natives
Anchorage, Alaska
Association of Alaska School Boards’ Response to the Override of the Veto of SB 140
The Association of Alaska School Boards (AASB) is deeply saddened by the legislature’s inability to override the governor’s veto of SB 140 by a single vote. While the bill itself did not fund education, it provided guidance and expectations for the increased education appropriations through statute. We now return to an all too familiar scenario of hoping for a few scraps outside the BSA. As one person described it to me, we were thrown a life ring only to discover they let go of the line. Some may stay afloat for a while, but the life ring is not big enough nor buoyant enough to sustain us.
It is imperative that we all return to the table and work to do what is right for our students, parents, and communities. We have been witnessing the erosion of the Alaskan dream for years through the continual neglect of both our K-12 and postsecondary education systems.
Schools are closing, class sizes are increasing, staff cannot be hired or retained, facilities are neglected, and, increasingly, less safe. Families that have the means are leaving the state. Our future is at stake, and our future is in front of us this day. Without the immediate and significant investment in our students and the respect for local control, our children and our communities face a prospect of limited opportunities. Time is of the essence.
AASB commends the legislature’s significant work in finding a compromise that was originally supported by all but four members of the combined body. We believe it can be done again. However, the question remains: Do we have a governor who can also participate in that compromise?
AASB strongly defends and advocates for the continued support of local governance.
Alaska’s education system can and will be the best it can be when adequate resources are available to local school boards governed and administered by their own community members. Our mission is to advocate for children and youth by assisting school boards in providing quality public education focused on student achievement through effective local governance. AASB is determined and eager to continue this essential work on behalf of our children.
Lon Garrison
Executive Director
Association of Alaska School Boards
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