A quick look at the candidates vying for school board vacancy

Following the resignation of former Matanuska Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD) school board member Jacob Butcher earlier this month, there are nine community members vying for the empty seat, which represents District 5. The district encompasses Big Lake down to Point Mackenzie.

Here is a brief snapshot of the candidates from information available on the MSBSD school board website. The candidates are listed alphabetically.

Shirley Akelkok-Currently employed at Matanuska Electric Association as a Recruiting, Akelkok has worked for the Arctic Slope, AK Native Tribal Health Consortium, and the Southcentral Foundation all in various occupations pertaining to Human Resources. She has also worked as a Language Arts teacher. Her educational background includes a Bachelors in Secondary Education from UAA, and a Master of Jurisprudence in Employment and Labor Law from Tulane University, where she was the first Alaska Native/American Indian Graduate in the program. Akelkok also volunteers for the MSB Indian Education Parent Advisory Board, the MSB Labor Board, and the MSBSD Equity Task Force.

Jennifer Cizek-Cizek has an extensive elementary teaching background, teaching in a remote school in Port Lay, before moving on to teaching in the Anchorage School District. She also became a homeschool teacher while living in Australia before moving to Point MacKenzie, where she again was a homeschool teacher. Cizek earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from UAA and has been a volunteer for WHS Volleyball, giving time in the concession stand and as a line judge, was a soccer coach for the Wasilla/Chugiak Youth Soccer Association, and a Volleyball Booster Club President in 2020.

Audri Jirak-Before becoming a stay-at-home mother, Jirak worked as a Massage Therapist in Wasilla and Anchorage. She was also an Esthetician. She attended the Maui School of Therapeutic Massage and the Academy of Cosmetology in Post Falls, ID. A lifelong Alaskan, she grew up on the Yentna River near Skwentna, attending correspondence school to obtain her High School Diploma.

Patrick Martin-Martin has worked extensively in the financial industry, founding a merchant services sales company before becoming an Assistant Vice President, Commercial Insurance for Alaska USA and Denali Insurance Brokers, and now works as a Financial Services Profession for New York Life. He is also the Outreach Director for Alaska Right to Life and serves as Vice Chair, Board of Directors for the Anchorage Crisis Pregnancy Center. He also served in the US Army, working with several Artillery units as Support Specialist and Section Leader.

Anthony Brooks Pitcher-An electrician for over 21 years, he currently works for Pitcher Electric. He also cites service with the Boy Scouts of America and Church Youth Program. He is a father to 9 children attending both public and charter schools, and one attending a homeschool option. He writes that he is deadline and detail driven, essential to his success, and being a skilled tradesmen will bring a unique perspective to the MSBSD.

Robert William Pymn, Jr.-Pymn also has an education background, currently working as the Director of Grants/HR Director at Iditarod School District, and was previously a principal at Two Rivers School and John Fredson School. He also worked in Arkansas, first at the DeQueen School District as the District Technology Coordinator, then as a Middle School and Alternative Learning Environment Principal at Jessieville School District. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Henderson State University and a Master in Science, Education Administration, also at Henderson University. He is a certified Alaska K-12 Teacher and Administrator, K-12.

Thomas S. Richards-Richards has an extensive background working in education, teaching in various villages in almost every section of Alaska, from Togiak to Delta Junction, and most recently teaching in the MSBSD at Redington JSHS and Mat-Su Career and Technical High School. He also worked as a Probation Officer for Bethel Therapeutic Court and as a Children’s Services Specialist, also in Bethel. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M, and served in the US Navy. He also coached basketball, rifle, robotics, and Native Youth Olympics.

Justin Shoemake-Shoemake works as a dispatcher for the City of Wasilla, has been certified Alaska Public Information Network and National Crime Information Center certified, as well as certifications in Emergency Medical and Emergency Fire Dispatch. He previously worked as a Rig Clerk for Beacon OHSS in Prudhoe Bay and as a Senior Equipment Operator, also in Prudhoe Bay. He also serves as Wasilla Police Department Employee Association Vice President.

Jacob Snedeker-Snedeker currently works at MTA, and has a background working in various environments throughout Alaska, working primarily in Facilities Maintenance in the Telcom industry, construction, welding, fabrication, and HVAC. He also worked as an Itinerant Adaptive PE Teacher for the MSBSD, and has a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education and Kinesiology from Chico State, and a Welding Certificate for Structural Welding from UAA.

Whoever is selected shall serve the remainder of Butcher’s term, which was set to expire in 2025.

In accordance with Board Policy, candidates will be able to give a 5-minute introduction followed by a 5-minute interview from the current school board members. Following a vote, whoever is selected will be immediately sworn into office to begin their term.

The special meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 6 starting at 4:00pm at the MSBSD Administration Building in Palmer.

More information about the candidates is available on the MSBSD website: www.go.boarddocs.com/ak/matsu/Board.nsf/Public