Ketchikan Borough Election
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For the last three years I have had the honor of serving on the school board and now represent the longest consecutive tenured board member. Recently I heard someone say, “When you see a need and can help make a difference, SHOW UP!” I want to show up and represent you in bringing solutions and healing to our school district. The education of our children is one of the most important and impactful activity we can all participate in as a collective community team.
There are few things in our community that have as much impact on economic development, quality of life, or the general future of our town than the education of our young people. It is an investment like no other. My ultimate hope is to have our public have the confidence in the school board moving forward to provide safe and quality education to the students of this school district.
Some of you know how much I love baseball and how active I am in coaching and umpiring. Teams matter…and I am hopeful for a new school board team beginning in October. Leadership also matters. If elected, I plan to seek the presidency of the board. My hope is that my leadership and institutional knowledge will be the necessary calm and seasoned leadership needed for this season.
I am proud of the decisions I have made on the board over the last three years. From advocating for the new traffic pattern at Houghtling, pushing for more health support in our district, to fighting for Japanese to be taught in our high school, My YES’S have been strong and vocal. I have, however, not been afraid to say “NO” even in the midst of being in the minority on certain issues. When the board decided to ask for public input on a 2018-2019 school calendar and then ignored the input, I said “no”. When we wanted to ‘red line’ many school positions even before asking the borough to fund them, I said “no”. When some board members wanted to take an aggressive and unfruitful direction with contract negotiations, I said “no”.
My goal is to say YES to a good and fair contract for the district's employees. I want to say YES to our community’s demands ensuring we have safe schools free from the threat of sexual abuse. I will continue to say YES to the great teachers and staff of our district for the best classrooms possible. My commitment to you will be to always listen through emails, public comments, and phone calls in a respectful and deliberate way.
We have many important and difficult items to address in the near future and I intend to work hard to find those solutions with a good collaborative effort on the board and other parties. Asking tough questions takes courage and insight. I don’t always have the right answers, but I am never afraid to ask the tough questions and demand solutions to our toughest problems. Small things matter, and I intend to ensure my efforts will remain intense and inquisitive.
Thank you for reading and I would appreciate a yes from you on election day.
Matt’s Background:
I grew up in Virginia and have been living in Ketchikan for 6 years since coming to work at PeaceHealth and now serve on the executive team at the hospital. My sister and brother-in-law ‘recruited’ me and my family to Ketchikan and we love to call it our home. I have a B.S. in Human Biology from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA with a Masters in Cardiovascular Technology and a Master of Divinity from Northeaster Seminary. I am a life long learner and currently enrolled in the College for Financial Planning. My wife and I have six boys ranging from the age of 18 months to 20 years old. My family has had children attend almost every district building in our district. Please feel free to contact me with further questions at Mje0401@gmail.com
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(APOC Requirement) Paid for by: Matt Eisenhower - Candidate for Ketchikan School Board - 7249 South Tongass Highway- Ketchikan, Alaska 99901
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