Daily Sitka Sentinel

Sitkan Win Two Awards From State School Groups

By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
    Sitka School Board President Lon Garrison has won the Carl Rose Governance Award and the MacKinnon Educational Excellence and Human Recognition Award for his work on the board.

Lon Garrison holds the two awards he was recently given. (Sentinel Photo)

    The Carl Rose award, formerly the Outstanding Board Member Award, is given out annually by the Association of Alaska School Boards to those who show board leadership in developing “a dynamic shared vision for education,” and “keeping the district and community focused on education,” among other criteria.
    Both awards were handed out at the AASB annual conference in early November.
    Garrison, now in his eighth year on the board, has served as president for five years. School boards nominate candidates from their own boards.
    The MacKinnon award, given by the Alaska Superintendents Association, recognizes board members who have “provided meritorious service to their school districts and communities. Sitka Superintendent Mary Wegner nominated Garrison for this award.
    “I believe he does an amazing job not only looking out for students in Sitka but students from around the state and at the national level,” Wegner told the Sentinel today. “He’s policy minded, he’s an advocate, he takes care of the details that make our district run efficiently and effectively.”
    She said he is particularly good at keeping an eye on the school district goals, and making sure the budget is used to achieve the goals.
    “He has taken leadership on that, working in partnership with the administrators,” Wegner said.
    Besides that, Wegner said, “He’s a joy to work with. He’s got a good sense of humor. He listens, he’s attentive to the situation at hand, and he gives good advice.”
    Wegner noted there were a number of other qualified candidates, but Garrison was an easy choice among the superintendents.
    “Lon won, hands down,” she said.
    Garrison said he was surprised and pleased to be recognized.
    “I was surprised, humbled by people thinking I merited either of these awards,” Garrison said of the two awards. “It feels good because it says people notice you put in time and effort to make a difference.”
    In response to a question, he said he didn’t know exactly why he was selected, but has an idea.
    “I’ve dedicated a lot of time to being a good school board member. I have a passion for it,” Garrison said. “It is one of the most important things we can do. I like working with people in education. I’ve met some really incredible people in education from across the country. It reminds me it’s something super-important to do.”
    He said the job at times can be frustrating and difficult but at the same time rewarding.
    “You have to grow some thick skin, like many elected officials. You have to listen to a lot of different views,” Garrison said. “It’s one of the most important things we do in terms of public service – figuring out how to educate our kids.”
    But he said the hard work has been worth it.
    “I think we have one of the best districts in the state and one of the best in the country,” he said. “What we have to offer kids is amazing but to continue to do that takes work and vigilance. You just have to keep at it.”
    Garrison said he was honored by both awards, but particularly pleased to win the Carl Rose Award, named for the longtime executive director of AASB. Garrison said he learned a lot from Rose.
    “Once in a while, you meet really exceptional people who have an impact on your life and he’s one of those guys for me,” Garrison said. “I feel fortunate to have an award in his name. That means a lot.”