Why Margo?
Once elected to the board in 2019, Margo wasted no time serving as the School Board Clerk, Communications Committee Chair, Vice-president, and Board President. Margo Bellamy is motivated, confident, persuasive, and able to work with diverse individuals, groups, perspectives, and organizations who share her commitment to education, equity, inclusion, and diversity.
Experience
Margo's leadership and experience in education spans over four decades. During this time, she has held various positions at all levels in education, including positions as classified clerical support, Teacher, Librarian, Assistant Principal, Principal, Executive Director and, since being elected to the school board, School Board Clerk, Communication Committee Chair, Vice President and currently School Board President. Before retiring in 2016, Margo was the Executive Director of the ASD Compliance/Equal Employment Opportunity Office. In this position, she implemented the district’s non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies and was a problem-solving option for employees, students, and educators. In addition, she advised and trained the district's leadership (superintendents, directors, principals, managers and supervisors) to navigate critical education issues and compliance obligations successfully. As a result, Margo brings a unique experience, perspective, and understanding of educational issues/challenges, leadership, governance, equity, diversity, learning, and teaching.
Currently, Margo is also an Adjunct Professor at UAA, owner of Bellamy Consulting, and the past president of the local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, an International Service organization. Margo’s other boards and community affiliations include:
- The Alaska Children’s Trust Board of Directors, Secretary
- The Alaska Association of School Boards Board of Directors, Treasurer
- The Alaska Community Foundation Board of Directors
- CSS Advisory Committee for Clare House
- National NAACP
- YWCA Alaska Board of Directors (former)
- Anchorage’s Promise Kids Day Planning Committee
- Anchorage Community Police Relations Task Force (former member).
Student Advocate
Post-retirement, Margo continues to advocate for students and families by partnering with youth-serving organizations that provide students with opportunities for academic support, pre-college, career, and enrichment opportunities. She works tirelessly to address equity and opportunity issues that are crucial to closing the achievement gap among students.
Awards
- Human Rights Champion Award from the Immigration Justice Project - 2016;
- Alaska United Methodist Women Racial/Social Justice Humanitarian Award - 2014
- Ford Motor Company’s Freedom Sister Award - 2012
Margo's Vision
Successful outcomes for all students
Each decision I make will begin and end with what our students know and can do. Our Data Dashboard clearly shows disparities in student outcomes. Some students are doing well and benefiting more than others. So, in the last three years, I engaged in a 4-phase strategic planning process, which translated into the Board’s newly adopted goals and guardrails that defines the direction for education in the ASD for the next five years; I supported policies, programs, and practices that focus on successful outcomes for all students and foster environments where students, staff, and parents want to belong. I voted for the apprenticeship policy, adopted a new math curriculum, voted to re-charter four charter schools, and co-sponsored the Anti-Racism and Instructional Equity Policies.
Mitigating learning loss
Due to Covid-19, many of our students experienced significant interruptions and delays in their learning. The mitigation of this learning loss will need our collective attention. I will continue to champion and invest in learning opportunities and programs that help our students make up, catch up, and continue to thrive. We’ve learned a lot since the pandemic began, so applying these learnings to programs and practice will give our students and grandchildren the best educational experience possible.
Student Health and Safety
The pandemic, 2018 earthquake, and recent national and local school incidents have expanded the definition and expectation of student health and safety. Our students and staff must feel physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally safe in school, whether walking our halls, learning in our classrooms, or riding the school bus. The district’s response to these expectations, now and in the future, requires a comprehensive and inclusive plan to address all definitions of safety.
Selecting and Onboarding a new superintendent
In November 2021, Superintendent Deena Bishop announced her retirement, effective 6/30/22. This means the School Board will select a new superintendent. To this end, the School Board will work with a search firm to conduct a national and statewide search. The School Board is also partnering with Leadership Anchorage to engage external stakeholders in community conversations and town hall meetings to gather input on the attributes and characteristics of our next Superintendent. Please include your feedback on the district's community survey linked here!
Educator Recruitment and Retention
The decline in educator recruitment, locally and nationally, has reached a critical point in the last decade. The district must find innovative and creative ways to retain and recruit a highly qualified and diverse workforce. The School Board must also advocate for legislative policy changes that guarantee fair retirement benefits for educators. It is simple; educators are not inclined to stay in Alaska or relocate to Alaska without a good retirement plan.
Hi Neighbor! My name is Margo Bellamy. I am running for re-election to the Anchorage School Board because
I believe in the power and the promise of public education. In the next three years I will prioritize...
- Student wellness, successful outcomes for all students
- Mitigating learning loss
- Recruiting and retaining quality, diverse, and culturally responsive educators
- Selecting and onboarding a new super intendent.
- Advocating for inflation proof funding
Meet Margo
Margo was born and raised in Miami, Florida, where she met her husband, Howard, and where her early years ignited a passion for human rights, justice, inclusion, equality, fairness, diversity and social justice.
An avid learner, Margo earned a bachelor’s degree, followed by and master’s degree from the State University of New York at Albany; followed by a second Master’s degree from UAA in Educational Leadership. Margo went on to continue her love for education with doctoral work at APU and USC.
Margo moved to Alaska and married Howard, a retired veteran. Margo began working in the Anchorage School District and never looked back. Margo continued her love for education with doctoral work at APU and USC.
Margo’s experience as an educator, central office administrator, school leader, public servant, social justice champion, and advocate for youth and families has prepared her well for another three years on the School Board. She has leveraged these experiences to make informed, fiscally sound and culturally responsive decisions for students, staff, and families.
How to Vote
Tuesday, March 15th - Ballots mailed
Friday, March 29th - Last day to request a temporary address ballot
Tuesday, April 5th at 5:00 pm - Deadline to postmark your ballot
Voter Resources
Track your ballot
If you have any questions about any alert you receive, call the Voter Hotline at 907-243-VOTE (8683) or email MOA Elections at elections@anchorageak.gov.
- Once you receive your ballot package in the mail, mark your choice(s) by filling in the oval(s) with black or blue pen and then, place your ballot into the secrecy sleeve and then into the ballot return envelope.
- Read and sign the declaration on the ballot return envelope.
- Return your ballot by placing it in a secure drop box, or returning it to the Anchorage Vote Center (AVC), or by mailing it through the U.S. Postal Service with first class postage.
