Jenni Lefing, Senior Manager, Board Development
Thank you to the more than 300 school board members across Alaska who dedicate countless hours to governing, guiding, and advocating for their local school districts. You balance this important responsibility alongside your careers, families, and commitments to your communities.
In recognition of your service, AASB proudly designates February as School Board Appreciation Month. Established by the National School Boards Association in 1995, 2026 marks the 31st anniversary of this recognition. This month is an opportunity to build greater awareness and understanding of the vital role elected school boards play in supporting students and strengthening representative democracy.
School board members are citizen advocates. Their work is complex, requiring thoughtful decision-making on budgets, student outcomes, policy, and community priorities. Yet much of this work happens behind the scenes, and the full scope of their responsibility is not always widely understood.
To support local recognition efforts, AASB has provided districts with tools and resources to help communities celebrate and thank their school board members. Whether through school events, public acknowledgments, or simple gestures of appreciation, these efforts help highlight the important work happening at the local level.
Check out these Resources to celebrate in your communities.
Recognition at the State Level
At AASB’s recent Leadership & Legislative Fly-In, school boards were honored and recognized with a legislative citation for their essential role in governing public education and supporting student success across the state. The citation was sponsored by the Juneau Delegation of Representative Andi Story, Representative Sara Hannan, and Senator Jesse Kiehl. The full text of the legislative citation appears below.
Legislative Citation
The members of the Thirty-Third Alaska State Legislature honor and celebrate elected school board members and Alaska School Boards.
Section 1 of the Alaska Constitution directs the Legislature to, “establish and maintain a system of public schools open to all children of the state.” By law, the Legislature has vested the governance of Alaska’s public school system in boards of locallyelected citizens. Alaska’s fifty-three locally elected school boards are the core of the public education governance system in our state.
School board members are dedicated to the success of Alaska’s public education system, children, and youth who attend them. They work closely with families, students, educational professionals, and other community members to provide support in student learning and academic achievement. They look at achievement gaps in student learning and identify strategic plans to address student needs and provide public school choice options. They must make hard decisions on student safety and wellness, budgets,and policies.
School board members contribute their time and talents to their communities and offer a vision and voice of advocacy for public school students. School boards in Alaska serve as an important function in the education system—they communicate theneeds of Alaska’s students and schools, serve as bridges between the school district and the public, and uphold the mission of advancing public education for the prosperity of Alaska’s youth. Alaska school board members also serve a crucial function in communicating the needs of students and schools to public policy makers, and in turn, the expectations of the public to employeesin the district.
School board members work on strategic plans with their educational staff and communities, including tribes, businesses,and other state education entities. They offer perspectives to the Legislature from their communities on the effects of proposed and enacted legislative policy on students and families under their responsibility to deliver a quality education. They work with statewide and national school board associations to stay informed on current nationwide issues and educational reforms.
School board members are to be commended on working closely with the Association of Alaska School Boards, the Alaska Counsel of School Administrators, and other educational entities to collaborate and align policy between all levels of educationalgroups that deal with education issues. Their community engagement efforts are vital, as working with families and communities is thought to be the biggest factor in positive student achievement outcomes.
The members of the Thirty-Third Alaska State Legislature honor local school boards across the state. Members also encourage all Alaskans to recognize the hard work and dedication of school board members, and to join them in creating and supporting an education system that meets the individual needs of Alaska’s students.
If your school district would like to have a copy of the legislative citation, please reach out to aasb@aasb.org
Appreciation Should Be Year-Round
While February shines a spotlight on school board service, appreciation should extend throughout the entire year. Ongoing recognition not only honors the dedication of board members but also strengthens their connection to the communities they serve.
With schools facing increasing challenges, Alaska’s school boards are working harder than ever to support students and staff. Taking time to acknowledge their efforts can make a meaningful difference.
Ways to show appreciation include:
- Express Gratitude: A simple thank-you—through a note, email, or public comment—can go a long way. School boards often hear concerns more than appreciation, making positive feedback especially meaningful.
- Celebrate Achievements: Recognize milestones such as years of service or leadership contributions through newsletters, social media, or board meetings.
- Encourage Community Engagement: Invite board members to school events like family nights, performances, or games. Their presence strengthens connections with students and staff.
- Recognize Excellence: Consider nominations for AASB’s Annual Awards:
- Carl Rose Governance Award – honoring an outstanding individual board member
- Outstanding School Board Award – recognizing effective, student-centered governance
School Board Appreciation Month is more than a moment—it is a reminder of the ongoing importance of recognizing those who serve. By celebrating Alaska’s school board members, we honor their leadership, elevate their impact, and inspire continued community engagement in education.
Their work shapes not only schools, but the future of Alaska itself.
Please check out these resources to help you celebrate the school board members in your communities. Tell us how you celebrated School Board Appreciation Month! If you have any photos, letters or articles you can share with us, please send to aasb@aasb.org
