Superintendent of the Year

Dr. Roy Getchell, Superintendent of the Haines Borough School District, has been named 2024 Alaska Superintendent of the Year by the Alaska Superintendents Association (ASA).

Dr. Getchell has served as Superintendent of Haines Borough School District since 2018. He currently serves as the ASA Board President, and the Alaska Council of School Administrators (ACSA) President, was the past Board Chair of SERRC, and serves on their Executive Committee. He previously represented Alaska on the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) National Governing Board.

Since 2018, Dr. Getchell has provided the Haines Borough School District with steady, thoughtful, and measured leadership. He skillfully led through the 2020 landslide that tragically took the life of a Haines teacher and the COVID-19 Pandemic. In the wake of these events that significantly impacted the school district and community, "Dr. Getchell demonstrated considerable grace and thought in his response," said Dr. Michelle Sloper, Haines Borough School Board President.

Making connections with students, staff, and community leaders has been a focus for Dr. Getchell. Pam Long, a parent of two HBSD Students, shared, "It is empowering to watch district staff, business owners, tribal leaders, parents, grandparents, educators and students all collaborating under his leadership." Through Dr. Getchell's commitment to open and engaging dialog, he has been able to promote the mission and vision of the school district and recruit educators to the region.

Haines School Principal Lilly Boron said Dr. Getchell is a tireless advocate for students and education at the local, state, and national levels. "He has a strong working relationship with the Haines School Board. He stays informed on the issues impacting public education and leads our school district with an eye on continuous improvement and community outreach."

DEED Commissioner Dr. Deena Bishop congratulated Dr. Getchell on his accomplishments, saying, "Dr. Getchell is an excellent superintendent and a leader of leaders in Alaska. His commitment to students' success and well-being is beyond reproach. He adds value to our state by building capacity in others--his success builds success. I could not be more pleased with the decision to honor Dr. Getchell in this way."

Dr. Getchell will be honored at the Alaska Superintendents Association Fall Conference on September 28th and the School Superintendent Association 2024 AASA National Conference on Education in February. In addition, he will be representing Alaska for the 2024 National Superintendent of the Year.

Each year, the Alaska Superintendent of the Year selection committee accepts nominations from school board members, parents, colleagues, community members and/or anyone who has personal knowledge of an Alaska superintendent’s performance and qualifications.