From the April Representative Council meeting, the following endorsement was made:
Both candidates for mayor came to the Representative C
ouncil meeting in April to speak. After that time a report was moved from the PACE to the floor to endorse Mr. Croft for mayor and to contribute $1,000 to his campaign fund. After some debate, the motion carried by a substantial margin. The following basic reasons were presented as to why we should encourage teachers to support Mr. Croft:
- Mr. Croft has an established track record of not only being in favor of a Defined Benefit Retirement for all public employees, but of actively working to keep it. He was a minority legislator during the session where SB 141 was passed and worked very hard to keep it from passing. He has stated that he will use the influence of the Anchorage mayor's office to help restore that benefit for all Anchorage public employees. Mr. Sullivan is on record as advocating a Defined Benefit Retirement for public safety employees only. As more teachers are hired into TRS 3, the "no-retirement" plan, this continues to be the top wage issue for teachers across the State of Alaska.
- On the issue of school funding, Mr. Croft advocates for continuing to fund the ASD at or near the level allowed by the tax cap. Just last month, the Anchorage Assembly voted to cut the proposed school budget for the coming year - the year AEA goes into bargaining with ASD. Mr. Sullivan supported that cut. Mr. Croft supported Mayor Claman's veto that restored ASD to its full budget. It is possible that the Assembly will move to cut the ASD budget next year, possibly to move tax revenues under the cap that currently fall to schools over to the city side of operations. If the Assembly were to take that action, it would happen as we were attempting to reach an agreement on our next contract. We believe that Mr. Croft will be opposed to cuts in the District's share of city tax receipts, and teachers will be less likely to be negotiating with a district that is having its budget cut.
- Mr. Croft is willing to treat labor in equal standing with other interest groups that come to the political process. This one is a little unusual. Mr. Sullivan has stated he will not accept donations from any labor PAC that has contracts with the Municipality, but that is the ONLY category he declines contributions from. We recognize that we are a special interest group, but we recognize many other special interest groups as well. We respect their right to engage in the political process, but we want to be there also. Your livelihood is at stake.
These are 3 Paycheck issues - they directly impact your salary, your workplace, or negotiations. Other issues may matter to you in this race, but we hope you investigate and balance the importance of the different issues.
If you would like to get personally involved in supporting either of the candidates we encourage that. If you email AndyH@AnchorageEA.net, I can direct you. Or you can go directly to their web sites at http://www.EricCroft.com or http://www.sullivanforanchorage.com . While we do endorse Mr. Croft, we encourage any member to be active, engaged, and let the candidate know you are an Anchorage Teacher!
We welcome feedback from our members as well as requests for additional information. You can contact Jim Lepley, AEA President at JimL@AnchorgeEA.net or the PACE Co-chair Andy Holleman at AndyH@AnchorageEA.net .
From the March Representative Council meeting, the following endorsements were made for school board:
At left is a copy of this election's "Take me to the polls!" card that was sent by mail to all AEA members.
Crystal Kennedy has been a good supporter of classroom resources and teachers. She joined the Board in 2003 and lives in the Eagle River area. She is running unopposed for Seat G. See http://www.crystalkennedy.com/
Jeff Friedman has been a strong advocate in the community for continuing improvements to education. He has been an advocate for increased funding from the city and the state. More recently he has been outspoken about the need for the state to return public employees to a Defined Benefit Retirement - a key part of giving ASD more choices when they look to add staff. Jeff spends time in Anchorage Schools not just as an observant School Board President, but actually volunteering and helping with activities. He has one opponent for Seat F. See http://www.jfriedman.org/
Jody Smith is a former teacher on the Kenai. She also is an advocate for teachers with a real understanding of what works in a classroom. This is her first run for public office. The positions she outlined and her actual experience caused us to feel she was a good choice for Seat E. She is one of two candidates that are former NEA-Alaska members. See http://www.jodysmithforschoolboard.com/
Kathleen Plunkett was also endorsed for Seat E. She has run for office before and been endorsed by AEA. She is a strong advocate for education and for public employees. She has been active in a number of public service groups, including the Parks and Recreation Commission and as Community Council President for Russian Jack. She supports the current school administration, but believes we need to look for efficiencies that would reduce costs. See http://www.kathleenplunkett.com/
You will be voting for one candidate in Seat E, and there are several other people running.
Mia Costello is one of several people that were endorsed for the crowded Seat B opening. Mia is a life-long Anchorage resident, a standout high school athlete and a Harvard graduate. She also has experience as a teacher and is a former NEA-Alaska member. Mia's positions were strong on support for classroom teachers and for Defined Benefit. She has a background as a staffer in Juneau which would be useful when the School Board deals with the Legislature. See http://miaforschoolboard.com/
Nels Johnson has a wide ranging background and clear ideas on ways to improve education. He expressed strong support for teacher and public employee issues. Nels has a degree in Education and Computer Science. He has teaching experience at secondary and higher education levels. He came to Alaska in 2002 and has worked with at-risk youth. This is his first run for office. See http://www.nelscjohnson.com/
Jeanne Mackie was recently selected by the School Board to fill a vacated seat and has an undergraduate degree in Education. She brings the viewpoint of an active parent and an active community member to the Board, and expressed support on Defined Benefit Retirement and support for teachers in the classroom. She is a lifelong Alaskan that grew up in Nenana. See http://jeanniemackie.com/
Again, you will have to choose 1 person for Seat B. This is the most crowded of the fields.
Anchorage is fortunate to have so many qualified candidates for School Board. We hope you take time to look at their web sites and maybe see them at a forum.
There were discussions and motions about endorsements for Mayor at both PACE and Representative Council, but nothing was passed by either body.
