School Funding
Dear Editor: This is an open letter to members of the Sitka Assembly.
Thank you for your service during these challenging economic times. For the past two months, Sitkans have been working hard for a state budget that recognizes Alaska has the wealth and resources to fully fund public education. While the outcome of our efforts is still unknown, it’s likely that municipalities will need to provide more support for schools if our children are to be successful as Alaska’s next generation of leaders.
The Assembly’s proposed school funding reduction of $750,000 to $1.2 million is therefore extremely troubling. This huge loss could eliminate 20-25 teaching positions—nearly a quarter of those in the district—instead of the anticipated 10. Unlike the governor’s cuts to education, the ones you suggest are entirely and immediately preventable.
Members of the Assembly, we appreciate the grave fiscal challenges facing our town but we ask you to remember that educating Sitka’s children is not optional—the long term economic and social viability of our community depends on it. If the City and Borough of Sitka doesn’t take responsibility for our schools, no one will. As a solution, we propose that you support revenue-raising measures on this fall’s ballot. We believe funding education is the will of the people, and offer as proof the opinions expressed at the House Finance field hearing last month.
Four of you now serving on our Assembly had the privilege of receiving an excellent education in Sitka’s public schools. Every child in our community today deserves that same opportunity. We therefore make the following requests: fully fund schools for fiscal year 2019-2020 and implement revenue-raising measures to ensure the same in subsequent years. Have courage, take a stand, and start your legacy of doing the right thing for Sitka’s future, right now.
Beth Short-Rhoads, Kate Johnson,
Emily Demmert, Bridget Hitchcock,
Stephen Courtright, KK Prussian,
Ariel Starbuck, Collauna Marley
and Pat Heuer,
Families for Schools
University Cuts
Dear Editor: We are proud alumni of the University of Alaska Fairbanks and board members of the UAF Alumni Association. We are deeply concerned over the future success and viability of our state’s university system in light of the governor’s proposed budget cuts.
The University of Alaska is a public trust and an investment in the future of Alaska. We believe that cuts to its funding, if any, must be limited. The university drives Alaska’s economy and is a valuable tool for improving the state’s future. Alaska simply cannot afford to lose its only public higher education system.
We are asking our representatives in state government to stand up for all Alaskans by protecting the
University of Alaska and to exhibit the leadership and values that we have entrusted in you as your constituents.
UAF Alumni Association,
Peter Van Flein, ’87, Fairbanks; Barbara Fujimoto, ’13, Juneau; Amanda Wall,’01 ’05, Fairbanks; Libby Eddy, ’92, Augusta, Georgia; Rachel Laeusen, ’04, Anchorage; Cindy Wright, ’88, Fairbanks;
Tom Brice, ’90, Juneau;
Forrest Kuiper, ’99 ’00 ’12, Fairbanks;
Mary Beth Loewen, ’02 ’07, Kodiak;
Shannon Johnson-Nanalook,
’11, Iliamna;
Jason Gootee, ’05, Portland, Oregon
Shee Atika Elections
Dear Editor: Shee Atika will be holding their annual board elections in less than a month. Although Shee Aitka has incurred huge financial losses and has been selling most of our awarded land base, the majority of the board continues to support CEO Ken Cameron and Chair Pamela Steffes. The board refuses to hold meetings with Sitka shareholders and have not done so since May 2017.
This year, the board is attempting to hold on to power by offering a financial incentive of $25 to each shareholder who votes for the corporate proxy. The corporate proxy includes the management-endorsed candidates and two shareholders who applied to run on their proxy. Any shareholder who votes for the independent “Owner” proxy is not eligible for the $25. Shareholders who vote for the corporate proxy will also be eligible for additional cash prizes ranging from $100 to $1,000.
Shee Atika staff will soon hit the streets with iPads in hand to attempt to win votes for the current board. The iPads are for electronic voting only, and shareholders who use electronic voting can only vote for the corporation slate. They cannot vote quorum only electronically. This can be very confusing for some elders who would like to vote for independent candidates but do not have that option online.
Although Shee Atika is offering $25 to vote for corporate slate, remember this is the same board that reduced your dividend, funeral benefits, sold the majority of our land and eliminated Sitka meetings and the holiday party. They also approved raises for Ken Cameron and his reported salary is $418,659 and Chair Pamela Steffe’s compensation was $31,790 in 2018.
If you are a Shee Atika shareholder, please consider voting for the independent Owner slate. Dionne Brady-Howard, Norma Perkins and Jim Wilkins are running to represent you, and bring much needed changes to the Shee Atika boardroom. Your independent proxy will be arriving in the mail soon, and please don’t hesitate to contact the candidates if you have questions.
Clarice Johnson, Sitka
