President’s Message

It is a true honor to welcome each of you to this year’s journey as members of the Alaska Superintendents Association. As superintendents, we carry the responsibility and privilege of shaping the future of education in our state. That is why my theme for this year is Showing up Matters—a call to action that reflects the significance of our leadership, our presence, and our commitment to every student, staff member, and family we serve.

We know that when students show up to school, they thrive. But showing up matters for more than just students—it matters for every member of our school communities. It’s our job, as leaders, to ensure that the opportunities for success aren’t missed due to chronic absenteeism. Missing more than 10% of school days leads to significant barriers: difficulty learning to read by 3rd grade, struggles in middle school, and challenges in graduating from high school. Together, we can take steps to cut chronic absenteeism in half within the next five years by prioritizing attendance, engaging our communities, and using data to track and drive accountability.

No matter where you are in your career as a superintendent, your leadership is essential to ensuring the success of every student in Alaska. By taking proactive steps to address absenteeism, we can create meaningful change in our schools and communities. I am excited for the work we’ll do together and proud to stand beside such dedicated professionals in our collective mission to provide an excellent education for every Alaskan child, ensure that no opportunity is missed, and prepare our students for a bright future.

Clayton Holland, ASA President,

Superintendent of  Kenai Peninsula Borough School District