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Parents urge Nome board to keep SPED director Mary Donaldson, citing improved services
Summary
Parents and SPED staff urged the Nome Public Schools board to retain Director of Special Education Mary Donaldson or preserve a hybrid/remote arrangement, saying Donaldson’s leadership brought continuity and improved services; the board said it would continue discussions.
Parents and SPED staff urged the Nome Public Schools board on Jan. 13 to reconsider the terms of SPED Director Mary Donaldson’s contract so she would remain with the district, saying her leadership and continuity have yielded measurable improvements for students.
“Her work gave my child consistency, real care and met their needs for the first time ever,” parent Jessica Farley told the board, saying that if Donaldson left “my child would not be successful in school anymore” and that her family might be forced to relocate for appropriate services. Farley said Donaldson’s hybrid arrangement kept her in close contact with families and staff.
Parent Rhonda Sparks described multiple leadership changes in the SPED program and raised broader equity concerns, citing a “significant suspension rate of Alaska Native students in the SPED program” and recounting a due-process claim for compensatory education that followed her child’s experience. SPED teacher Peggy Simpson said Donaldson handles much of the paperwork and onboarding for international SPED teachers — work Simpson estimated at roughly half of a SPED teacher’s duties — and warned that new candidates must be prepared to take that on.
Krystal Hensley and other parents appealed to the board to preserve Donaldson’s position in whatever form would keep her in the district. Several speakers said losing Donaldson could also lead to departure of other SPED staff who follow her to districts where she works.
Board President Marjorie Kunaq Tahbone acknowledged the public’s concerns and said the board would discuss the matter further. Mary Donaldson’s report was included with the meeting packet; no personnel action affecting her employment was taken at the meeting.
The board did not vote on the SPED director’s contract at the Jan. 13 meeting. Members said they would review the concerns raised and consider next steps at upcoming sessions.
