 |
 |
|||||
|
| Archives |
| Bargaining |
| Bylaws |
| Policy |
| Contract |
| Evaluation |
| Member Links |
| Professional Development |
|
NEA-Alaska Presidential Election: posted 5/6/2008 On April 15th, the NEA-Alaska State President Elections 2008 were certified. After an unprecedented experience of election concerns and challenges, the process is now completed. The NEA-Alaska President Election, albeit difficult, created an opportunity for our organization to move forward and work on future policy and procedure improvements. The intention for printing the following policy is to provide our members with further clarification on the procedure. When more than two candidates run for office a “preference ballot” is utilized in accordance with the NEA-Alaska Board policy. According to NEA-Alaska Bylaws, Article II, Section 4, “Members shall mark their ballot in order of preference (1, 2, 3, etc.) if there are three of more candidates.” This was the first time that more than three candidates ran for NEA-Alaska President. The process for a “preference ballot” is as follows: (1) the votes are tabulated and (2) if no candidate won by a majority of the vote, then (3) the ballots cast for the lowest vote recipient were redistributed based on their second choice candidate. After the votes were tabulated and redistributed, the highest vote getter was Barbara Angaiak. NEA-Alaska Board of Directors then certified the vote and named Barbara Angaiak president-elect. Members filed a number of complaints against each of the candidates. These complaints were handled in accordance with board policy and processed by the NEA-Alaska appointed Elections committee. To better understand this process, it is necessary to look at the NEA-Alaska Board Policy Manual. In Sections II.H.13, describes campaign practices. In subsection (i) of this policy, the states that “any violations of this policy shall be formally reported as soon as possible to the President and brought before the Elections Committee (within ten (10) days of the alleged infraction or notice thereunto). All complaints filed in a timely manner went before the NEA-Alaska Elections Committee for review and findings. By policy, when the committee determines that a candidate has violated campaign practices by “using NEA-Alaska or local resources,” the committee then determines, with the guidance of legal counsel, the seriousness of the infraction and assess the appropriate action. Sections II.H.14 of the Policy Manual gives the levels as follows: LEVEL 1: The committee reviews an alleged violation and determines that further action is required. LEVEL 2: The alleged charges and the findings of the Committee shall be distributed by the Committee, with the approval of the Board. LEVEL 3: The Committee recommends that the election be set aside (it would require a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board to override the recommendation)” Please don’t hesitate to contact NEA-Alaska President Bill Bjork or one of your Region VI NEA-Alaska Board members if you have any further questions. Enjoy your summer!
Nine Stacey Brennan (Trailside) - Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood Natalia Clark ( Jason Collins (Begich) - Mathematics/Early Adolescence Jaime Locke (Trailside) - Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood Vicki McCall (Baxter) - Library Media/Early Childhood through Young Adulthood Nivol Niemi ( Amber Stout (Susitna)- Literacy: Reading-Language Arts/Early and Middle Childhood Nicole Stucki - Mathematics/Adolescence and Young Adulthood Leesa Wingo (South)- Science/Adolescence and Young Adulthood National Board Certification is a voluntary assessment program designed to recognize and reward great teachers and make them better. While state licensing systems set basic requirements to teach in each state, NBCTs have successfully demonstrated advanced teaching knowledge, skills and practices. Certification is achieved through a rigorous, performance-based assessment that typically takes one to three years to complete. As part of the process, teachers build a portfolio that includes student work samples, assignments, videotapes and a thorough analysis of their classroom teaching. Additionally, teachers are assessed on their knowledge of the subjects they teach. There is support available for teachers who pursue National Board Certification. Local NBCTs facilitate meetings throughout the school year. Additionally, credit courses designed to familiarize teachers with the National Board Certification process are offered during the For more information about the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) and National Board Certification, visit the NBPTS web site at http://www.nbpts.org/. Upcoming Opportunities Regarding National Board Certification -- Register at MLP -- ASDSA-08-A: National Board Certification: Are You Ready?, May 28-29 (1 credit) Audience: This course is designed for K-12 teachers, PreK-12 special education teachers, librarians, and counselors interested in completing the National Board Certification process. Instructors: Tara Bivins (NBCT) and Description: Participants will become familiar with the National Board Certification process and the implications for enhanced professional practice. Participants will choose a certificate field, become familiar with the portfolio requirements and begin one portfolio entry. ASDSA-08-B: National Board Certification: You're Ready. Now What?, May 30-31 (1 credit) Audience: This course is designed for current National Board Certification candidates and K-12 teachers, PreK-12 special education teachers, librarians and counselors who are considering applying for National Board Certification. Instructors: Tara Bivins (NBCT) and Description: Participants will unravel the National Board Certification process, focusing on key elements of classroom-based portfolio entries, written commentaries, videotaping requirements, analysis of student work and creating a plan for portfolio completion.
Vice President of Communications: Andy Holleman Vice President of Programs: Marilyn Pillifant Secretary: Renee Rindone Executive Board At-Large members:
Scott Hickox Pam Lloyd Debbie Meigs Ron Prewitt Julie Sery Steve Toth John Wirth Barb Yanoshek 2008 Representative Assembly: Jim Lepley Jerry Tennyson Jessica Cook Jerry Reber Marilyn Pillifant Thais Thomas Ray Johnson Jan Dolan Dan Barker Clara Amidon Kathy Wright Renee Wade Pat Hiatt Ilona Barber Melodie Bear Kelly Gallego Maja-lisa Pratt Machelle Kelchner Deanna Youngren Marjorie Knights Susie Butler-Smith
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Candidate Name |
1. Over the last fifteen years, the state has shifted much of the cost for educating our students to municipalities and, ultimately, local taxpayers. As a member of the |
2. When the school district budget increases, rank the following in the order of your priorities (rank 1-8 with 1 as high) A. Lower class size. B. Give our students access to sports and other co-curricular activities. C. Textbooks and supplies. D. Provide competitive compensation to attract and retain quality teachers. E. Hardware and software to support district wide operations.
F. Intervention programs such as after school and summer school programs. G. Hire additional non-teaching staff. H. New administrative initiatives. |
3.What do you feel is the most important issue facing education in today? |
4. Several legislators are questioning why |
|
|
Assembly Seat B Chris Blankenship |
Work with the Assembly to shift more of the funding back to the State with the increase in oil revenue and taxes, to lower the burden on local taxpayers. |
A. 3 B. 8 C. 2 D. 1 |
E. 5 F. 4 G. 7 H. 6 |
Funding. If the state and federal government wants to initiate higher standards of learning and teaching, such as testing before graduation and the “No Child Left Behind” act. They (state and federal government) need to … |
I will find out what local cap is, see why it hasn’t been funded, see where there is funding, and act to fund schools and then go after the state education funds as much as … |
|
Assembly Seat B Patrick Flynn |
Legislative and administration support for increasing contributions to constitutionally-mandated public education coupled with the apparent willingness to provide essential funding for special-needs students should be applauded by local officials to ensure this trend… |
A. 1 B. 5 C. 4 D. 2 |
E. 7 F. 3 G. 6 H. 8 |
As
|
We should note that |
|
Assembly Seat C Bill Starr |
NO RESPONSE |
|
|
|
|
|
Assembly Seat C Anthony Lemons |
Many mandates come from the Federal Government. With that being the case, I will work hard to see that the federal government provides adequate funding to enable their mandates to be fulfilled, and to alleviate … |
A. 5 B. 8 C. 1 D. 3 |
E. 2 F. 7 G. 6 H. 4 |
I feel that education as a whole, has shifted too much towards the political and agenda driven aspect of society. Our children need only an education and politics should never be part of it. There … |
This question truly requires more in depth research of everything involved. I can not adequately answer this question with the limited information that I have at this time. In the end, the education of our … |
|
Assembly Seat E Harriet Drummond |
I will work with the Legislature and Governor to ensure school funding keeps up with the needs and that they stick to their promise of forward funding. |
A. 7 B. 6 C. 2 D. 1 |
E. 7 F. 3 G. 4 H. 8 |
Low teacher salaries and poor benefit packages causing difficulty in retention. |
From what I understand, |
|
Assembly Seat E Bert Hoak |
NO RESPONSE |
|
|
|
|
|
Assembly Seat E Sherri Jackson |
Remind the State of |
A. 3 B. 4 C. 1 D. 7 |
E. 6 F. 2 G. 5 H. 8 |
Making sure our curriculum(s) ALL adequately prepare our students to enter into the work force and / or college. |
Again, State Constitution says state will provide. |
|
Assembly Seat G Dick Traini |
As an Anchorage Assembly member I will keep doing what we are doing now which is to work with the |
A. 2 B. 5 C. 3 D. 1 |
E. 7 F. 4 G. 6 H. 8 |
I think the most important issue facing education today is forward funding of education. The state must forward fund education and build a stable fund for educations future. Currently, the school district lives year to … |
I hear this old folk story when the issue of funding comes up, I have asked Steve Van Zant, the state tax assessor, what we can do to change this problem. He tells me there … |
|
Assembly Seat G Elvi Gray-Jackson |
NO RESPONSE |
|
|
|
|
|
Assembly Seat I Jeremy Baker |
WITHDRAWN |
|
|
|
|
|
Assembly Seat I Paul Bauer |
Support the Assembly’s efforts through its Legislative Committee, and annual legislative program presented to the Legislature, to support increase state funding. Draft an |
A. 3 B. 7 C. 1 D. 2 |
E. 6 F. 4 G. 5 H. 8 |
Having a good, safe and undisruptive classroom environment for the education process to take place. Lower class sizes for a decent student to teacher ratio. |
It is the state’s responsibilities along with its vast financial resources to assist in providing quality education to our residents. “Give us ( |
|
Assembly Seat I Mike Gutierrez |
I will work hard with our legislative delegation to support increased assistance to municipal governments for property tax relief. |
A. 1 B. 4 C. 5 D. 2 |
E. 6 F. 3 G. 7 H. 8 |
The problem of gangs and youth violence is an issue for the entire community, not just the schools. |
The legislature at this time is dealing with record surpluses due to high oil prices. Legislators are looking for ways to spend their windfall. I will push them to spend on education and local property tax relief. EXCEEDED 35 |
|
Assembly Seat K Chris Birch |
NO RESPONSE |
|
|
|
|
|
Assembly Seat K Jesse Busick |
I would encourage the state legislature to be mindful of the special needs programs and the lack of funds provided per student each year. I would maintain an environment of awareness for the state. |
A. 2 B. 5 C. 3 D. 1 |
E. 6 F. 4 G. 8 H. 7 |
The Parents! |
I have found that most of the state legislators concerns stem from a lack of understanding and even ignorance. Continued first hand observance of the classroom should be required for the state legislature. |
|
Assembly Seat K Mike Kenny |
Use of wind fall revenue and ultimately natural gas revenues to establish endowment within a Permanent Fund for Education structure. Permanent Fund for dividends would remain the same. |
A. 1 B. 3 C. 2 D. 1 |
E. 4 F. 2 G. 5 H. -- |
Preparing our students for a very competitive global ‘tomorrow.’ This may require an extended school year but will definitely require lower class size, recruitment and retention of a new generation of motivated and quality teachers. |
I will support the budget ASD brings before the assembly. Understandably often ASD has not asked for funding to the max for operating expenses in order to leave room for capitol expenses. I would go … |
|
1. One of the key responsibilities of the a. Lower class size b. Give our students access to sports and other co-curricular activities c. Textbooks and supplies d. Provide competitive compensation to attract and retain quality teachers e. Hardware and software to support district-wide operations f. Intervention programs such as after school and summer school programs g. Hire additional non-teaching staff |
|
2. The purpose of a good retirement system is to attract a well-qualified, stable workforce. The new defined contribution plan undermines this purpose. What will you do to help return |
|
3. What will you do as a member of the |
|
4. Will you commit to working collaboratively with the |
|
5. Over the past few years, three programs have been proposed and/or implemented: • Incentive Program • How effective do you feel these programs are (or would be)? Please be specific. |
School Board Seat C Candidate Name: Jim Bailey — WITHDRAWN
School Board Seat C Candidate Name: David Boyle
|
Question #1: |
a) 20% b) 5% |
c) 10% d) 30% |
e) 10% f) 20% |
g) 5% |
|
Question #2: |
Unfortunately, a full defined benefit system is unaffordable today. I support an actively self-managed retirement system to include: maximum matching by ASD; modeled after Federal Retirement System (FERS); include partial defined benefit; several choices of… |
|||
|
Question #3: |
My recommendations would include: improve and enforce student discipline policies to allow teachers to concentrate on teaching subject matter; establish a fund to provide financil assistance for teachers’ higher education; ensure any dollars saved are … |
|||
|
Question #4: |
Yes. I would form a task force to include representatives from the entire |
|||
|
Question #5: |
The incentive program can be very beneficial if administered properly and fairly. Rewards for performance can yield great results. The videotaping of a teacher’s instruction to include both content and method may be the most … |
|||
School Board Seat C Candidate Name: David Dunsmore
|
Question #1: |