Dr. Kenneth Stephen Burnley

Dr. Kenneth Stephen Burnley, 69, superintendent of the Mat-Su Borough School District, born April 20, 1942, died July 2, 2011, at Alaska Regional Medical Center due to complications from double knee replacement surgery.

He received three higher education degrees from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Dr. Burnley served education in various capacities — as a teacher, assistant principal, director, assistant superintendent and superintendent. He served as a Senior Resident Fellow, University of Michigan; chief executive officer, Detroit Public Schools; superintendent, School District 11 Colorado Springs, Colo.; superintendent, Fairbanks North Star Borough School District; and other professional education positions for the Waverly Public Schools, Ypsilanti Public Schools and Muskegon Heights School District.

Within five months of his appointment as superintendent for the Mat-Su Borough School District, Dr. Burnley settled two major labor contracts and developed a plan to resolve an $8.9 million deficit. He convinced the state Legislature to award $6 million for E-Rate (funding commonly used for schools and libraries) and gained an additional $10.2 million of federal matching funds for a total of $16.2 million for fiber optics to the school district, which also provides high-speed communication to the community and jobs through Matanuska Telephone Association.

Dr. Burnley reached national acclaim as the recipient of the 1993 Colorado and National Superintendent of the Year awards from the American Association of School Administrators (AASA). In addition, he was recognized by various organizations for his leadership and humanitarian efforts.

Some of the highlights of his career were being a member of the U.S. Secretary of Education Advisory Committee on Administrative Regulations prior to the implementation of the 2002 No Child Left Behind Act, and being a member of the U.S. delegations of superintendents to Israel, China and Taiwan. He had the gift of uniting people together within a community.

Along with education, he had a great passion for sports, including golf, track and field, and University of Michigan football. In his college career, Dr. Burnley was a relay member of three indoor and two outdoor Big Ten Track Championships from 1960-64. He was the first African American coach at the University of Michigan from 1968-72, chaired the Education Committee of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) from 1996-99, was Chef de Mission to the World Youth Games in Moscow representing the U.S. Olympic Committee, and was a member the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency for, but independent of, the U.S. Olympic Committee from 2006-07.

Prior to going into surgery, he stated, “I came here (Alaska) for the kids.” He wanted the best for students. He desired to have the model school district for the state to show what can be achieved for our youth. When times got tough, he would go into the schools and spend time with the kids. It rejuvenated him and made him work harder to achieve success. As he reflected on his career, the common thread through all of his positions included placing women, minorities and those experiencing disabilities in key positions in his administrations. He was proud of their accomplishments and often voiced his praise.

His service will be officiated by Pastor Fred Ledbetter at Teeland Middle School, 2788 N. Seward Meridian Parkway, Wasilla at 11 a.m., Friday, July 8.

Public visitation was July 7 at Alaska Heritage Memorial Chapel. Additional services in Detroit, Mich., and Colorado Springs, Colo., are pending.

Dr. Burnley was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Kippling Burnley; mother, Audrey Marietta Stevens Burnley; brother, Bryan Burnley; and nephew, Damian Burnley.

Survivors include his wife, Eileen Burnley; brothers, Michael and Dennis (Brenda) Burnley; daughter, Traci Burnley; son, Trevor (Robin) Burnley, Marlon (Shawn) Thomas; grandchildren, Jonathan Burnley, Tyler Burnley and Justin Thomas; and many nieces, nephews and friends throughout the world. Dr. Burnley loved and supported his family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. Kenneth Stephen Burnley Memorial Fund for college and vocational education scholarships for students of Mat-Su Borough School District, Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, Detroit Public Schools and Colorado Springs School District 11. Donations may be made at any Wells Fargo Bank in the United States.

Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory cared for the family.