Margo’s Priorities
The pillars of Margo Bellamy’s commitment to public education for next term.
Driving Literacy Success
As we celebrate the significant progress made over the past year, I am more committed than ever to ensuring that every child in our district becomes a strong reader by the third grade. With 57% of our K-3 students now meeting or exceeding literacy benchmarks, we’ve seen what’s possible when we focus on targeted interventions and support. Our goal is ambitious but achievable: by 2028, we want to see 46% of our third graders reading at or above grade level. To get there, we will continue to expand early literacy programs, provide professional development for our teachers, and engage parents as active partners in their children’s reading journey.
Teacher recruitment and retention
I believe three interconnected issues are paramount: teacher retention, teacher recruitment, and increased public education funding. These issues are the result of years of underfunding and legislative inaction that directly impact our ability to attract and retain highly qualified educators. Alaska is the only state in the country that does not offer new teachers or paraprofessionals full Social Security benefits or defined-benefit pension. This makes it difficult to maintain a strong teaching workforce, which in turn affects student outcomes. I will continue working with local officials, state legislators, and stakeholders to advocate for necessary policy/statutory changes that will support our students and educators.
Empowering Parents
As a lifelong educator and advocate for our children, I know that parents are the first and most important teachers in a child’s life. The learning journey begins at home, where values, curiosity, and a love for learning are nurtured. I believe that when parents are engaged, they lay the foundation for their children’s success both in school and in life. The role of educators is to partner with you, the parents, to provide the tools and support needed to help your children thrive. Together, we can create an environment where every child can reach their full potential, not just academically but as confident, caring individuals prepared for the future.