FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2026
CONTACT: info@paulmcdonogh.com
Educator Paul McDonogh Declares Candidacy for Anchorage School Board Seat D with Broad Coalition of Educators and Union Support
ANCHORAGE, AK — Paul McDonogh, a former Anchorage School District teacher and current tribal educator, officially filed his candidacy today for Seat D of the Anchorage School Board.
McDonogh enters the race with a focus on teacher recruitment and retention, student belonging, and stabilizing the district’s precarious financial future. Drawing on over a decade of experience in the classroom and public school leadership, he is running to drive academic excellence and secure the operational stability of our district.
“Our schools are the heart of our community, but right now they are in a fragile state,” said McDonogh. “We need to keep our teachers here, reduce class sizes, and ensure that all students have a place where they belong and can thrive, regardless of their background. I’m running to bring a teacher’s perspective and a parent’s urgency to the School Board.”
McDonogh launches his campaign with the prominent backing of five current School Board members, including the endorsement of current Seat D Board member and former School Board president, Andy Holleman.
“I’ve met with Paul, and I know he understands the issues that come before the Board,” said Andy Holleman. “He listens. Stays calm. Understands the children we serve and what needs to happen. I believe he will do an excellent job of representing the public and their interests while getting us the best district we can afford.”
School Board Vice President Margo Bellamy emphasized McDonogh’s student-centered approach.
“I strongly support Paul McDonogh for School Board,” said Margo Bellamy. “Paul brings a student-centered approach, a clear understanding of district governance, and a deep commitment to public education. Our schools need thoughtful leaders who listen to families, respect educators, and make responsible decisions in challenging times. Paul is that leader.”
McDonogh has also galvanized early support from numerous labor organizations, securing endorsements from Anchorage Educators Association PACE, Alaska State Employees Association PAC, Laborers’ Local 341, LiUNA! Public Employee 71, and Teamsters Local 959. This coalition reflects his commitment to Anchorage’s workforce and his dedication to maintaining strong labor standards within the Anchorage School District.
“I have spent my career solving complex problems and designing educational frameworks that work. I am prepared to bring that same professional discipline to the School Board to ensure our decisions are data-driven, fiscally responsible, and focused entirely on student success. I look forward to serving our diverse ASD family,” McDonogh concluded.
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About Paul McDonogh: Paul McDonogh is a Sugpiaq educator with ancestral roots in the Bristol Bay region and a family history along the Gulf of Alaska that spans generations. With more than a decade of experience in public education, he holds a Master’s in Curriculum & Instructional Design and previously taught at Wonder Park Elementary and Chugiak High School, and led ASD’s Indigenous Education program. He currently serves as the Director of Tribal Education for Chugachmiut and advances Alaska Native language revitalization. He lives in Chugiak with his wife, a national board-certified special educator, and their four children.