2008 NEA-Alaska Delegate Assembly
This was the 52nd edition of National Education Association-Alaska's annual meeting of educational professionals from across the state. The Anchorage Hilton Hotel was again the venue for about 400 delegates. FEA and ESSA sent over 50 members to represent Interior Alaska association members. Governor Sarah Palin spoke to the assembly on Saturday morning.
NEA-Ak Elections
- Barbara Angaiak, Ron Fuhrer, and Deedie Sorenson for NEA-Alaska President
- Tim Parker and Richard Lum for NEA-Alaska Vice-President
- Ballots will be mailed to members in February and will feature a "preferential ballot" for the office of NEA-Alaska president.
Public Relations Campaign
- After a lengthy debate, the Anchorage-based advertising agency Lotsfeldt and Smith was chosen as the advertising agency to begin a state-wide media campaign to improve the image of schools and public school employees. Delegates voted to assess a 3-year, $35.00 per year (one-half of this amount for state educational support members), dues increase to fund this advertising campaign. Another discussion involved concerns from members in rural areas on the equity of the campaign.
Critical Issues
- Priority#1 issues: adequate housing for teachers in rural areas of Alaska, return to a defined-benefit retirement system for education employees, adequate funding for education in Alaska's public schools. These three topics will be top priorities for our lobbying efforts in Juneau.
- The six important topics that were discussed in large group forums were: a return to a defined-benefit retirement system, health care issues, organizing and developing strong locals, critical coalition/community organizations, sub-contracting and out-sourcing, and merit pay/ESEA.
Karen, Maxine, Governor Palin, Chris
Miscellaneous
- The structure and organization of Delegate Assembly was adjusted to expedite business. The assembly was dismissed at 9:06PM on Saturday, much sooner than normal.
- Flora Roddy (ESSA) was chosen "Alaska ESP of he Year".
- This was Bill Bjork's (FEA) final Delegate Assembly as NEA-Alaska's President.
- Irene Matheis and Chrya Sanderson chose to run for re-election to their NEA-Alaska State Board seats.
- Tom Richards and Bill Ernst were elected to fill two 2-year seats on the state PACE (Political Action Committee on Education)
- Diane Benson, Ethan Berkowitz, Gabrielle LeDoux, and Jake Metcalfe were present at a candidate forum for the United States House of Representative race. Don Young was in Washington, D.C. and was unable to attend.
- The state PACE Committee gave early recommendation to eight state senators and representatives for the upcoming 2008 state elections. Representative David Guttenberg was the Interior legislator chosen for early recommendation.
Charla, Barb, and Jeanine at the Region V Caucus