AEA Bargaining Team Update
From President Corey Aist:
“Community involvement in this process is critical. The Anchorage Education Association has one primary objective as we negotiate our next contract with the Anchorage School District: the retention of our educators. The most crucial factor in student success is having exceptional educators in every classroom and learning space. By working together to retain our professional educators, AEA and ASD can achieve ASD’s mission of ‘educating all students for success in life.
To meet this objective, we must address both retention and workload as more than half of ASD’s certified employees—over 1,500 individuals—have resigned or retired over the past four years, primarily driven by the lure of more competitive salaries and benefits offered by urban districts in the Lower 48 or by opportunities outside the education field entirely.
By pulling back the curtains and having our sessions open, we will find creative solutions that work for everyone and focus on student success.”
August 3, 2025 Update
Dear Members,
This summer has brought its share of challenges, but it has also been a season of progress and hope. Thanks to your unwavering engagement and the strength of our collective voice, we’ve made meaningful strides and achieved real victories for our schools, our profession, and our students.
On Saturday, the Alaska Legislature took a significant step forward by overriding the governor’s veto of vital public education funding. This victory was made possible through the strong solidarity of public education advocates, communities across the state, and your voice.
Your continued advocacy is making a real difference. As a result, school funding will increase. Lawmakers, the governor, and the public have sent a unified message: additional education funding must go directly into classrooms to support educator retention, strengthen schools, and improve student outcomes.
Second, at the national level, NEA has led a successful effort to restore crucial grant funding that the Department of Education had initially announced would be withheld for the 2025–26 school year. This is a significant victory, one that protects hundreds of positions in ASD and safeguards the jobs of many of our AEA colleagues. Thanks to strong national advocacy and collective action, essential funding has been preserved for our schools and educators.
These victories are proof that our solidarity, our collective voice, and our partnerships with community leaders are not just important... They are essential. Together, we successfully pushed back against serious threats to our profession, our schools, and the students and families we serve.
Thanks for your advocacy!
Other important items:
The 2025 Good Teaching Institute concluded on Friday. More than 60 AEA members took part in this professional development opportunity, enhancing their skills as well as earning credits for salary advancement and/or recertification. Please join me in giving a special thank you to Kevin Klott and the AEA PD Committee for their tireless efforts on behalf of our members.
The New Educator Symposium begins Monday, August 4th, and will run through Thursday, August 7th. Many AEA educators, along with Courtney, Jessica, and other NEA-Alaska staff, are welcoming them to ASD and AEA.
The AEA Bargaining Team finished summer negotiations with all the 400's TA'd, along with 150 and 155 (addenda). Most of the articles related to pay, health benefits, and other financial issues have not been finalized. You can review all the details, including AEA's health benefit presentation, HERE.
SAVE THE DATES
Bargaining will resume at the Ed Center in August. Please come out and support your team. Three dates have been set:
Wednesday, August 20 @ 4:30
Wednesday, August 27 @ 4:30
Wednesday, September 3 @ 4:30
More updates will be shared on the first day back on contract.
Enjoy the final days of summer break!
In Solidarity,
Your AEA Bargaining Team
Lem Wheeles, Chairperson (Dimond High)
Christian Haich, Spokesperson (Polaris K12)
Creed Campbell (King Tech)
Sonja Kenning (Northwood Elementary)
Michaela Kolerok (West High)
Amber King (Ravenwood Elementary)
Keri Lierman (Chugiak High)
Karen Grey-Levine (Rogers Park Elementary)
Brian Nelson (Retired)
Adam Reid (AKChoice)
Courtney Eyer (Uniserv Director)
Jessica Minguez (Uniserv Director)
