By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Staff Writer
Meeting in special session Wednesday night, the Sitka School Board accepted the resignation of member Dionne Brady-Howard.
“My four-year tenure on the board has not been easy. It has been riddled with a lot of tough choices and challenging, tough budget scenarios,” Brady-Howard said at the videoconference meeting. “But it has also been a privilege, and it has been a privilege to join the School Board at a time when the board maintained as one of its major goals closing the achievement gap.”
The three other members of the board who attended the virtual meeting, as well incoming interim superintendent John Holst, thanked Brady-Howard for her service. Superintendent Mary Wegner was not in attendance.
The resignation was accepted on a 3-0 vote by Amy Morrison, Paul Rioux and Eric VanCise. Chair Elias Erickson was absent and excused.
Dionne Brady-Howard (Sentinel Photo)
Brady-Howard spoke of the work she and the board have done toward closing the achievement gap.
“The board at that time, when I was privileged to come on, recognized that there was a gap, as well as was able to recognize the historical factors that led to that gap... That board was willing to support programming that kept that goal at its center in all of its decision making,” she said.
Brady-Howard told the board that she was resigning “in order to pursue other goals.”
She added that she sees difficult board decisions coming in the future, particularly related to imminent budget issues triggered by the ongoing recession and falling prices for North Slope oil.
“I do have some trepidation because whenever we have to tighten our belts, that’s when there is a temptation and even a pressure to cut anything that people consider to be extraneous,” Brady-Howard said. “While there has been an awful lot of support for closing the achievement gap and the programming that has been a result of that goal, there are also some who see that board goals as fluff and have advocated for other programs and other causes and I see that coming ahead as well... I will continue to be a voice and an advocate for all kids, and particularly for our indigenous students.”
She asked the board to “remember our vulnerable students.”
Board member Paul Rioux said “you use words the least, but you use them the most effectively.”
Board member Amy Morrison echoed this sentiment.
“When you talk, we know to listen. So thank you,” Morrison said.
Holst said Brady-Howard “is going to be missed. She brought a lot to the table.”
Morrison said the board plans to make an appointment on June 24 to fill the position until the fall election.
The board issued a statement today that those interested in the position should submit a letter of interest to the board by 4 p.m. June 19. The candidates will be announced on June 22 and will be interviewed by the board at the June 24 meeting, when one will be appointed by majority vote.
