During evaluation, Juneau school board ‘pleased’ with superintendent

The Juneau School Board overall is happy with the superintendent’s performance. That’s what the body determined after meeting in executive session for three hours during a special meeting Tuesday night.

Board President Brian Holst said an official evaluation of school superintendent Mark Miller will be made public during a regular meeting Aug. 9.

“In general, we’re pleased with him,” Holst said on the phone Thursday morning. “Any more details beyond that, we’ll produce a summary for the public for that meeting.”

Miller was hired in 2014 on a three-year contract and an annual salary of $162,000. Last year, the school board extended it for one year, so he’s currently on contract through 2018.

Holst said the board has the option to keep the contract length the same or extend it further. He and board vice-president Andi Story will meet with Miller before the Aug. 9 meeting to discuss various elements of his contract, salary potentially being one them. Any changes to Miller’s contract may require the board to meet in executive session again.

No one from the public showed up for the special meeting Wednesday night. The board began the closed-door session with Miller, Holst said. After Miller left, the board discussed the evaluation and any feedback it got from the community.

Less than 10 people took the superintendent evaluation survey that was made available on the school district website and only four completed it.

“We kind of scratched our heads,” Holst said. “We did agree to revisit the whole process, especially that piece because we got so little public input. Maybe that’s good — people aren’t worried about him, or maybe nobody knew that it was an option. Who knows?”

The school board’s next regular meeting is Tuesday, Aug. 9. The superintendent’s evaluation will summarize Miller’s strengths, areas for improvement, other observations and goals for next year.

• Contact reporter Lisa Phu at 523-2246 or lisa.phu@juneauempire.com.

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Nov. 17

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Rep. Andi Story, a Juneau Democrat, listens to a presentation during a House Education Committee meeting May 3, 2024, at the Alaska State Capitol. Story has been named co-chair of the committee for the upcoming legislative session. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
State Rep. Andi Story to co-chair House Education Committee under new Democrat-led majority

Sara Hannan remains on Finance Committee as Juneau representatives look to play bigger roles

Larry Gamez and Rachel Ceja collect items for a Thanksgiving food basket to deliver to a house in the Mendenhall Valley on Saturday morning as part of St. Vincent de Paul’s annual distribution program. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Matching those hungry to help with those hungry to feast carries on as pre-Thanksgiving ritual

Food baskets delivered to hundreds of homes, food bank hosts annual drive on Saturday before holiday.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree reaches Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Nov. 20, to much celebration. (U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree photo)
Santa’s truck-driving helpers are east bound and down to Washington, DC

U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree completes multiweek cross-country journey from Wrangell.

The Palmer project would sit in the watershed of the Chilkat River, pictured here. (Scott McMurren/Flickr under Creative Commons license 2.0)
Japanese smelting giant pulls out of major Southeast Alaska mining project

Palmer development, above the salmon-bearing Chilkat River, has for years fueled political divisions.

Juneau Police Department cars are parked outside the downtown branch station on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
JPD’s daily incident reports getting thinner and vaguer. Why and does it matter?

Average of 5.12 daily incidents in October down from 10.74 a decade ago; details also far fewer.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Monday, Nov. 18, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

Most Read