Duhamel over Dunleavy

To the editor:

There are two people running for school board Seat A with names that are similar: Jamey Duhamel and Michael Dunleavy. Even though their names may be confusing, there is a clear choice.

Jamey Duhamel, graduate of Colony High School, young mother of four, has spent her professional life working to improve the lives of our children and their families. The list of her accomplishments is long and praiseworthy. Those who have worked with her commend her for being a team player, straight forward and fair-minded. They often comment that her outgoing personality makes it easy to work with her. She’s open and honest, they say.

On the other hand, Mike Dunleavy doesn’t seem to have the support of people with whom he has worked. In an article in the Sept. 24, 2009, AlaskaReport, a Web-based news source, the authors cite several instances when Dunleavy’s action as superintendent of Northwest Arctic Borough School District were quite suspect. For example, he seemed to have turned his back when a teacher was fired for “… blowing the whistle on his village principal for breaching the confidentiality of the state high school exit exam.”

Also, Dunleavy made an interesting request of the school board in his first year as superintendent: “He requested that the board increase his existing 12-month contract by an extra 24 working days. He claimed he’d been working a lot of nights and weekends and should be paid for it.” The request is recorded in school board minutes. As the authors added in a parenthetical aside, “Is it even possible to ‘extend’ a 12-month contract?”

There is a paragraph in Duhamel’s brochure that sums up the difference of her understanding and Dunleavy’s in their responsibility to the school board: Jamey writes, “I believe a leader facilitates the process but not does demand an outcome.” Dunleavy’s history says he demands an outcome.

Jamey Duhamel understands the role of a school board member. My reading of the allegations against Dunleavy tells me he does not.

Vote Jamey Duhamel for school board Seat A.

Carolyn Covington

Palmer