Delta/Greely School Board welcomes new members, reelects president, vice president

The Delta/Greely School District Board of Education convened for a special meeting Thursday evening to officially swear in its newly elected members. Julia Phelan, Steven Sorensen, and Shaun Noling each raised their right hands and took the oath, formally accepting their responsibilities as school board members.

Following the swearing-in ceremony, Phelan was elected board vice president, while current President Dana Mock was reelected to lead the board.

Mock has served on the Delta/Greely School Board since 2010 and is entering his fifth year as a board officer. His involvement in education extends well beyond the local district. In 2015, he became a member of the Alaska Association of School Boards (AASB) Board of Directors. He has since achieved the organization's Master in Boardsmanship level and currently holds the position of past president on the AASB Board.

Mock has also served as past chair of the National School Boards Association (NSBA) Pacific Region and continues to serve on its Board of Directors as the American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Chair. Phelan is preparing to take on an even larger role within the national organization, becoming chair-elect next year.

Phelan, who was elected to the Delta/Greely School Board in 2019, currently serves as president of the AASB Board. She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education but changed career paths during the school closures. She now works as program manager for the Alaska Clean Water Project.

Her work has taken her to communities throughout Alaska, providing valuable experience and perspective that she brings to her leadership role with AASB. After serving a year as chair-elect for the NSBA Pacific Region, Phelan is scheduled to become chair in 2028 and past chair in 2029.

“Serving on the school board is one of the most rewarding things I have done,” Phelan stated. “Working with our youth, seeing the success stories that come out of our district. Our district has plenty of them. And our school board has always been heavily involved with education across Alaska.”

Phelan also credits former school board member and AASB President Richard Mauer, who passed away earlier this year, with helping prepare her for these leadership responsibilities.

“It is because of his mentorship and support along the way I am confident in stepping into these roles,” she explained. “He was always one of the people I would have for advice.”

When reflecting on what makes the local board successful, Phelan said she especially appreciates its ability to remain focused on what is best for students rather than becoming divided by adult disagreements.

The Delta/Greely School Board is traveling to Anchorage this week to attend the annual AASB conference, where board members will have opportunities to connect with school board representatives from across the state.

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