Voter Guide: Alaska’s Oct. 1, 2024 School Board Elections

On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, voters across Alaska will vote for their next school board members. This voter guide will walk you through who’s on the ballot in key school board elections, plus what to know as Alaska’s October elections approach.

What to Know About Alaska’s 2024 School Board Elections

Before discussing Alaska’s school board elections in detail, here are a few important points to keep in mind:

• School board elections are held on a non-partisan basis in Alaska. This means that party labels will not appear beside candidates’ names on the ballot. Voters are encouraged to evaluate candidates based on their qualifications, not their political affiliation.

• Alaska’s October 1, 2024 elections are not part of a state-wide election. Not every district in Alaska may hold school board elections on this date. If you don’t see your school district in this list, check your local government’s website to find out when your next school board election will take place.

• Many of the school districts holding elections on October 1 are REAA districts. In Alaska, a Regional Educational Attendance Area (REAA) is an educational district established in an unorganized borough. Often, these cover rural areas. REAA elections are held on the first Tuesday in October each year. Visit the state of Alaska’s Division of Elections website to learn more about REAA districts.

• Visit the state’s Division of Elections website or your local government’s website for the most up-to-date information. The information below may be subject to change as the October 1 elections draw nearer. 

School Board Elections in Alaska on October 1, 2024

Many districts across the state of Alaska will hold school board elections on October 1, 2024. This guide will cover who’s on the ballot in some of the most noteworthy school board elections. 

Where possible, we have labeled which candidates in these elections are incumbents, meaning they are currently serving on their local school boards. We have also noted which candidates are GoodParty.org Certified, meaning they have pledged to run truly independent, people-powered, and anti-corruption campaigns.

Alaska Gateway School District

REAA District: 16

Towns and Cities: Alcan Border, Chicken, Dot Lake, Dot Lake Village, Dry Creek, Eagle, Eagle Village, Mentasta Lake, Northway, Tanacross, Tetlin, Tok

Who’s on the Ballot:

In the Alaska Gateway School District, three seats are up for election:

Running for school board in Section I – Seat B:

• Donna M. Northway

• Steve Robbins (Incumbent)

Running for school board in Section II – Seat C:

• Lisa K. Conrad

Running for school board in Section II – Seat E:

• Daisy Northway (Incumbent) 

Aleutian Region School District

REAA District: 08

Towns and Cities: Adak, Atka, Attu Station, Eareckson Air Station, Nikolski

Who’s on the Ballot:

No candidates filed for Section I – Seat A, so that position will not appear on the ballot. Only one candidate has filed for the remaining seat in this district:

Running for school board in Section II – Seat D:

• Jana Lekanoff

Annette Island School District

REAA District: 20

Towns and Cities: Metlakatla

Who’s on the Ballot:

Two school board seats are up for election in the Annette Island School District, each with only one candidate on the ballot so far:

Running for school board in Section I – Seat B:

• Lucione “Lu” Leisholmn 

Running for school board in Section I – Seat C:

• Darcy Booth

Bering Strait School District

REAA District: 02

Towns and Cities: Brevig Mission, Diomede, Elim, Gambell, Golovin, Koyuk, Port Clarence, Savoonga, Shaktoolik, Shishmaref, St. Michael, Stebbins, Teller, Unalakleet, Wales, White Mountain

Who’s on the Ballot:

Voters will cast their ballots for four school board seats in the Bering Strait School District. Only one of these seats is currently contested.

Running for school board in Section II – Seat C:

• Dorothy “Doe” K. Barr

• Joann R. Fagerstrom 

• Irene A. Fagerstrom-Navarro (Incumbent)

Running for school board in Section II – Seat D:

• Willow Olson (Incumbent)

Running for school board in Section IV – Seat H:

• Richard J. Elachik, Sr. (Incumbent)

Running for school board in Section V – Seat K:

• Charlotte “Jane” J. Kava (Incumbent) 

Chatham School District

REAA District: 18

Towns and Cities: Angoon, Elfin Cove, Game Creek, Gustavus, Klukwan, Tenakee Spring, Whitestone Logging Camp

Who’s on the Ballot:

Three seats are up for election in the Chatham School District. Only one of these races is currently contested.

Running for school board in Section I – Seat A:

• Melanie K. Fredrickson

• Richard “Jack” Strong

Running for school board in Section II – Seat C:

• Jennifer M. Todd (Incumbent)

Running for school board in Section II – Seat D:

• Stacey G. Proctor

Chugach School District

REAA District: 21

Towns and Cities: Chenega, Tatitlek, Whittier

Who’s on the Ballot:

Voters will cast ballots for three school board seats in the Chugach School District. All three of these races are currently uncontested.

Running for school board in Section I – Seat A:

• Shelby A. Carlson

Running for school board in Section II – Seat C:

• Nanci L. Robart 

Running for school board in Section III – Seat E:

• Gail K. Evanoff (Incumbent)

Copper River School District

REAA District: 17

Towns and Cities: Chisana, Chistochina, Chitina, Copper Center, Gakona, Glennallen, Gulkana, Kenny Lake, McCarthy, Mendeltna, Nabesna, Nelchina, Paxson, Silver Springs, Slana, Tazlina, Tolsona, Tonsina, Willow Creek

Who’s on the Ballot:

Incumbent school board members are running for reelection in two of the Copper River district’s three school board elections:

Running for school board in Section I – Seat B:

• Heidi Jacobsen (Incumbent)

Running for school board in Section I – Seat C:

• Hannah R. Bengtson (Incumbent)

• Lishaw A. Lincoln

Running for school board in Section II – Seat E:

• Lacayah J. Engebretson

Delta-Greely School District

REAA District: 15

Towns and Cities: Big Delta, Delta Junction, Deltana, Fort Greely, Healy Lake, Outside, Whitestone

Who’s on the Ballot:

In all three school board races taking place in the Delta-Greely School District, there will be an incumbent on the ballot:

Running for school board in Section I – Seat B:

• Debra I. Joslin (Incumbent)

Running for school board in Section I – Seat D:

• Flower C. Cole (Incumbent)

• Shaun Noling

Running for school board in Section I – Seat F:

• Richard I. Mauer (Incumbent)

Fairbanks North Star Borough School District

Towns and Cities: Eielson AFB, Fairbanks, Fort Wainwright, North Pole

Who’s on the Ballot:

Two school board seats are up for election near Fairbanks. See the Fairbanks North Star Borough’s official candidate list for the latest updates.

Running for Seat A:

• Loa Carroll-Hubbard 

• Tamara Kruse Roselius 

Running for Seat B:

• Morgan Dulian (GoodParty.org Certified Candidate)

• April Smith

Iditarod Area School District

REAA District: 11

Towns and Cities: Anvik, Flat, Grayling, Holy Cross, Lake Minchumina, Lime Village, McGrath, Nikolai, Shageluk, Takotna

Who’s on the Ballot:

Voters in the Iditarod Area School District will vote for four school board seats in the October elections.

Running for school board in Section I – Seat A:

• Ann E. Short (Incumbent) 

Running for school board in Section I – Seat C:

• Kenneth “Ken” W. Chase (Incumbent)

• Robert A. Walker

Running for school board in Section II – Seat E:

• Douglas E. Heath (Incumbent)

Running for school board in Section III – Seat F:

• Alice “Ali” M. Dale

Juneau Borough School District

Towns and Cities: Juneau

Who’s on the Ballot:

This year, there are three open seats in the Juneau Borough School District. See the city’s list of certified municipal candidates for the latest updates.

Running for the Juneau Board of Education:

• Amber Frommherz 

• Michele Stuart Morgan 

• Will Muldoon 

• Jeff Redmond 

• Elizabeth (Ebett) Siddon

• Jenny Thomas 

Kashunamiut School District

REAA District: 22

Towns and Cities: Chevak

Who’s on the Ballot:

Three school board seats are on the ballot in the Kashunamiut School District:

Running for school board in Section I – Seat C:

• Liana Pingayak

• Jeremy P. Tuluk (Incumbent)

Running for school board in Section I – Seat D:

• Andrew A. Charles 

• Skye-Michael Chayalkun 

• Gregory E. Slats 

Pius Imgalrea is a withdrawn candidate in Section I – Seat D.

Running for school board in Section I - Seat E:

• Clifford T. Paniyak

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Towns and Cities: Anchor Point, Cooper Landing, Homer, Kachhemake, Kasilof, Kenai, Moose Pass, Nikiski, Nikolaevsk, Ninilchik, Port Graham, Seldovia, Seward, Soldotna, Sterling, Tyonek, Voznesenka

Who’s on the Ballot:

Three districts in the Kenai Peninsula Borough are electing school board members during the regular election on October 1, 2024. See the borough’s list of candidates for the Board of Education for the latest updates.

Running for school board in District 2 – Kenai:

• Sarah Douthit 

• Jeanne Reveal

Running for school board in District 5 – Sterling-Funny River:

• Kelley Cizek

Running for school board in District 8 – Homer:

• Tim Daugharty

Kuspuk School District

REAA District: 05

Towns and Cities: Aniak, Chuathbaluk, Crooked Creek, Lower Kalskag, Red Devil, Sleetmute, Stony River, Upper Kalskag

Who’s on the Ballot:

In the Kuspuk School District, no candidates filed for Section I – Seat A or Section I – Seat C. Consequently, these offices will not appear on the ballot. Three other seats will appear on the ballot:

Running for school board in Section II – Seat E:

• Susan Hoeldt

Running for school board in Section II – Seat F:

• Rachel Donkersloot 

Running for school board in Section III – Seat G:

• Zac Smith (Incumbent)

Lower Kuskokwim School District

REAA District: 04

Towns and Cities: Atmautluak, Bethel, Chefornak, Eek, Goodnews Bay, Kasigluk, Kipnuk, Kongiganak, Kwethluk, Kwigillingok, Mekoryuk, Mertarvik, Napakiak, Napaskiak, Newtok, Nightmute, Nunapitchuk, Oscarville, Platinum, Quinhagak, Toksook Bay, Tuntutuliak, Tununak

Who’s on the Ballot:

Two of the four school board races in the Lower Kuskokwim district are currently contested:

Running for school board in Section I – Seat A:

• Felix A. Albert (Incumbent)

• Katie Anthony

Running for school board in Section II – Seat C:

• Oscar W. Active, Sr. (Incumbent)

Running for school board in Section IV – Seat F:

• Catherine J. Cedars (Incumbent) 

• Rodney “Mark” Jones

Running for school board in Section IV – Seat G:

• Michael D. Husa (Incumbent)

Lower Yukon School District

REAA District: 03

Towns and Cities: Alakanuk, Emmonak, Hooper Bay, Kotlik, Marshall, Mountain Village, Nunam Iqua, Pilot Station, Pitka’s Point, Russian Mission, Scammon Bay

Who’s on the Ballot:

All three of the school board races in the Lower Yukon School District are currently contested:

Running for school board in Section II – Seat D:

• Daryl X. Manumik

• Darlene M. Pete

• Caroline A. Ulak (Incumbent) 

Running for school board in Section III – Seat G:

• Frederick P. Beans

• Joyce “Brown” A. Lee

• Susie V. Makaily (Incumbent)

Running for school board in Section III – Seat H:

• Brenda A. Brown (Incumbent)

• Fred P. Lamont, Sr.

Pribilof School District

REAA District: 09

Towns and Cities: St. George Island, St. Paul Island

Who’s on the Ballot:

No candidates filed for Section II – Seat E in the Pribilof district. As a result, only one school board seat is currently on the ballot in this district:

Running for school board in Section I – Seat A:

• Jason Bourdukofsky, Sr. (Incumbent) 

Southeast Island School District

REAA District: 19

Towns and Cities: Coffman Cove, Edna Bay, Hollis, Hyer, Kasaan, Naukati Bay, Point Baker, Port Alexander, Port Protection, Thorne Bay, Whale Pass

Who’s on the Ballot:

No candidates filed for Section II – Seat C in the Southeast Island School District, so that position will not appear on the ballot.

Running for school board in Section I – Seat A:

• Benjamin “Ben” Blair

Another candidate, Jennie Taylor, withdrew from this race.

Southwest Region School District

REAA District: 06

Towns and Cities: Aleknagik, Clark’s Point, Ekwok, Koliganek, Manokotak, New Stuyahok, Portage Creek, Togiak, Twin Hills

Who’s on the Ballot:

Three school board seats are up for election in the Southwest Region this October:

Running for school board in Section I – Seat B:

• Leona D. Black (Incumbent) 

Pansy B. Alakayak withdrew from this race.

Running for school board in Section I – Seat D:

• Howard “Tom” Lowe

• Tessa L. Nickerson

Running for school board in Section II – Seat F:

• Wassillie W. Gust, Sr. (Incumbent)

• Amber R. Webb 

Yukon Flats School District

REAA District: 13

Towns and Cities: Arctic Village, Beaver, Birch Creek, Central, Chalkyitsik, Circle, Fort Yukon, Livengood, Stevens Village, Venetie

Who’s on the Ballot:

Voters in the Yukon Flats district will vote for three school board seats this year:

Running for school board in Section I – Seat B:

• Mary R. Gamboa 

• Shayna M. Tritt 

Running for school board in Section II – Seat D:

• Melinda L. Peter (Incumbent)

Running for school board in Section III – Seat F:

• McLaren “Mac” C. Carter

• Rhonda O. Pitka

Yukon-Koyukuk School District

REAA District: 12

Towns and Cities: Alatna, Allakaket, Beetles, Coldfoot, Evansville, Four Mile Road, Highway Area, Hughes, Huslia, Kaltag, Koyukuk, Manley Hot Springs, Minto, Nulato, Rampart, Ruby, Wiseman, Tanana

Who’s on the Ballot:

Six school board seats are on the ballot in the Yukon-Koyukuk School District:

Running for school board in Section I – Seat A:

• Leona J. Starr (Incumbent)

Running for school board in Section I – Seat C:

• Fred L. Bifelt 

• Norman “Carl” Burgett

Running for school board in Section II – Seat E:

• Shirley Kruger

• Anne F. Titus (Incumbent)

Running for school board in Section II – Seat F:

• Patrick “Pat” M. McCarty

• Maurice McGinty (Incumbent)

Running for school board in Section III – Seat H:

• Liisia R. Edwardsen

Running for school board in Section III – Seat I:

• Peter W. Anderson

• Carla M. Dick

Yupiit School District

REAA District: 23

Towns and Cities: Akiachak, Akiak, Tuluksak

Who’s on the Ballot:

Five school board seats are up for election in the Yupiit School District:

Running for school board in Section I – Seat A:

• Melanie “Mel” D. Kasayulie Alexie

Running for school board in Section I – Seat B:

• Robert M. Charles, Sr. (Incumbent)

• Julia M. George 

Running for school board in Section II – Seat D:

• Peter A. Gregory

Running for school board in Section II – Seat E:

• Moses K. Peter

Running for school board in Section III – Seat F:

• Ivan M. Ivan (Incumbent)

• Mike Williams, Sr.

How to Get Involved in Local Elections in Alaska

Looking to get involved and make a difference in your community in Alaska? Here are some tips to get you started:

• Get ready for election day. With school board elections coming up on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, there’s no better time to check your voter registration, find your polling place, and make a plan for election day. General elections are also coming up on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.

• Find ways to volunteer. Visit candidates’ campaign websites or social media accounts to learn about how you can volunteer on behalf of specific campaigns. You can also explore GoodParty.org’s volunteer opportunities to support independent and non-partisan candidates across Alaska.

• Get free campaign tools. Are you running for local office in Alaska, or do you know someone who is? Check out GoodParty.org’s free campaign tools and resources for independent and non-partisan candidates.

Want to explore more voter guides? Check out the full collection here.

Photo of Juneau, Alaska by Kathrine Coonjohn on Unsplash