Alaska’s instruction commissioner is resigning, productive June 30

By James Brooks, Alaska Beacon

Up-to-date: June 9, 2022 Printed: June 9, 2022

Commissioner Michael Johnson, head of the Alaska Section of Education and learning and Early Advancement, will resign June 30, he mentioned throughout a Wednesday meeting of Alaska’s point out faculty board.

“Anybody who appreciates me is familiar with I have been pondering this for months and months,” he stated, citing the requirements of his family members, together with small children entering higher school.

“It’s the correct time, and I am super, super grateful that I get to go away my place by preference. That’s not normally the case,” he explained.

Johnson is the longest-tenured member of Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s cupboard, getting been appointed by previous Gov. Bill Walker and retained by Dunleavy. He also is 3rd in the state’s line of succession, guiding Lt. Gov. Kevin Meyer.

Shannon Mason, deputy press secretary for the governor, explained she expects the governor to name a new lieutenant-governor successor by the conclusion of the 7 days.

Unlike other commissioners, the commissioner of instruction is not named by the governor. Point out regulation phone calls for the condition university board to appoint a commissioner without the need of regard to political affiliation, however the commissioner is issue to the acceptance of the governor. The commissioner may possibly be removed by the board with no the governor’s approval.

Johnson’s departure arrives at an auspicious time for community training in Alaska. The Alaska Legislature handed a major education reform monthly bill on the very last day of the legislative session, and Dunleavy — who championed crucial components of the invoice — has explained that he will indicator it.

The invoice money pre-kindergarten courses, enacts tricky criteria for pupils to call for they can read by 3rd quality, and phone calls for added funding for lower-performing school districts.

In a different motion, the Legislature permitted a bill that will let the point out to function with Indigenous tribes to established up tribally operated schools. The governor has not but commented on that monthly bill.

“Yes, there’s been a whole lot of good legislation passed,” Johnson reported. He additional that he believes he will depart the office in a superior put and said he however intends to be included.

He reported he is “100%” behind Dunleavy “and his agenda likely forward.”

In a ready assertion, Dunleavy thanked Johnson for his do the job and named him a “successful and thoughtful chief.”

Users of the point out school board also praised Johnson.

“Commissioner, way to go out on a significant notice in this article,” claimed Bob Griffin, a member of the board from Anchorage.

“It has been a pleasure to do the job with Michael and the department leadership he has set in place,” mentioned board member Lorri Van Diest of Palmer.

At first posted by the Alaska Beacon, an independent, nonpartisan information firm that addresses Alaska point out authorities.