By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
Andrew Hames has notified fellow School Board members that he is resigning in order to pursue a job that “would be in direct conflict with my serving on the board.”
Hames, a board member since 2020, said he plans to apply for the position of Sitka High music director – Mike Kernin is retiring after 29 years in the school district. Under district policies, Hames isn’t allowed to apply for a school district position while serving on the board.
“It is with many mixed emotions that I submit this letter of resignation,” Hames said in his May 25 letter to the School Board. “My resignation will take effect the day following our June board meeting on Thursday, June 2, 2022. I am resigning to pursue an opportunity that would be in direct conflict with my serving on the board.”
Hames is currently School Board president. He was appointed in June 2020 to fill a vacancy, and was elected last fall to a three-year term.
His resignation comes on the heels of fellow member Amy Morrison’s decision to step down because she and her family are leaving Sitka. Her last meeting was April 20, and former Assembly member and mayor Valorie Nelson submitted the only letter of interest before the May 20 deadline.
The appointment for Morrison’s seat is also on Wednesday’s regular School Board meeting agenda.
If the board votes to accept Hames’ letter of resignation as expected, Wednesday will be his last meeting.
Those appointed to the vacant seats will serve until the October 4 election. Hames’ term was set to expire in 2023 and Morrison’s in 2024. Hames’ resignation will mean three seats will be up for contention in this fall’s municipal election, since Paul Rioux’s term is set to expire.
Hames said he has enjoyed his time on the Sitka School board.
“It has been an honor serving with you all, and I am proud of the work we have done,” he said in his letter. “Whether facing friendly or tense crowds, simple or complicated decisions, it has been a humbling and rewarding experience to face it all together.”
Hames was born and raised in Sitka and currently works for the family business, Hames Corporation. After college at Idaho State University, where he received his undergraduate degree in music education, he was a music teacher in the Blackfoot, Idaho, public schools. He has also taught at the Sitka Fine Arts Camp, including serving as music director for musical theater camp.
The band and music teacher position at Sitka High is one of several open positions in the school district. The others are the Blatchley Middle School counselor, a math and science teacher at Pacific High School, various paraprofessional positions, and staff accountant in the district office, district officials said.
One item on the Wednesday board agenda is honoring the retiring teachers: Kernin; Blatchley assistant principal Laura Rogers; and Pacific High teacher Phil Burdick. The board is hosting a reception for them at 5:45 p.m. at Harrigan Centennial Hall, prior to the 6 p.m. start of its regular meeting.
