Board Members

Carl Jacobs

Seat G through April 2027, second term

School Board President

Committees: Governance (chair), Chamber of Commerce Chugiak/Eagle River, School Business Partnerships

Carl Jacobs was first elected to the Anchorage School District (ASD) Board in 2021 and currently serves as President. Carl was chosen as the Alaska AFL-CIO's Young Union Member of the Year in 2020 and was named a member of the Alaska Journal of Commerce 2022 Top 40 Under 40 cohort. Since being elected, Carl has fought to improve working conditions for educators, expanded mental health support access for all students, integrated financial literacy curriculum into existing graduation requirements, and created ASD’s first anti-bullying hotline.

Kelly Lessens

Seat B through April 2028, second full term

School Board Vice President

Committees: MOA Budget Advisory Committee

Kelly Lessens is the mother of two students enrolled in ASD. After growing up in California’s public schools, she earned her BA from Stanford University and her PhD from the University of Michigan. Although she anticipated a career teaching American history, Kelly has spent the better part of the last decade raising her family’s young children, volunteering in their classrooms, and pursuing community advocacy. She and her husband David moved to Anchorage in 2013, and they try to enjoy Alaska’s beautiful spaces as much as possible.

Kelly views public education as the cornerstone of our community’s long-term success. Before joining the Board, she worked with community members across Anchorage to improve the efficacy of ASD’s elementary school days by advocating for adequate and equitable time for student nutrition and physical activity. The process of bringing together parents, teachers, subject-matter experts, local organizations, Board members, and administrators gave her a firsthand view of School Board service and compelled her to run for office. Kelly believes that we will improve student outcomes and better equip all of our students for long-term success in life when we invest our resources equitably, focus on students’ health and well-being, commit to evidence-based teaching practices and adequate professional development, and apply stakeholder feedback. 

Kelly believes that children’s needs should be at the center of the decision-making process and is committed to transparency, outreach, and collaborative problem-solving. As a Board member, she looks forward to connecting with individuals and organizations across the municipality.

Margo Bellamy

Rachel Blakeslee

Seat C through April 2029, first term

Treasurer

Committees: Finance (chair)

Paul McDonogh

Seat D through April 2029, first term 

Committees: Governance (chair)

Paul McDonogh's work in education reflects a longstanding commitment to instructional excellence, student opportunity, and community-centered leadership. A graduate of Eagle River High School, he holds a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instructional Design from Western Governors University.

Paul taught science and mathematics for 10 years at Chugiak High School, where he was called "Mr. McD." His classroom work emphasized strong connections between schools and community, student engagement, and expanded learning opportunities that support college and career readiness. He also coached four sports, sponsored the student government program, and contributed to the development of Alaska’s Social Studies Standards rewrite in 2022.

In his professional work, Paul is the founder and director of the Chugachmiut Tribal Education Department. His work focuses on Indigenous language preservation, culturally grounded education, rural development, and research in curriculum and instructional design. He is also a co-creator of the Llangartukut Luucia, a high school interdisciplinary art curriculum, and Nunaka: My Village, a multi-award-winning Sugpiaq cultural video game that promotes Indigenous knowledge and storytelling.

Paul's service also extends across educational, cultural, and nonprofit sectors, where he oversees services for nine school districts across Alaska. Prior to his Anchorage School Board service, he served on the ASD Immersion Committee and led the Indigenous Education Department. He is also an alum of Leadership Anchorage LA28 through the Alaska Humanities Forum and serves as Vice Chair of the Bristol Bay Foundation.

Mr. McDonogh lives in Chugiak with his wife, Kayla, a National Board Certified special educator. Their four children all plan to graduate from Chugiak High School in the Spanish Immersion program.

Pat Higgins

Seat E through April 2027, second term

Committees: Finance, Governance, National School Board Association (NSBA)

Pat Higgins is a Human Resources professional with over 40 years of senior HR management experience in the public and private sector.  Pat graduated from Louisiana State University and moved to Alaska in 1983 with his wife Patti and their three children.  All his children attended Anchorage School District schools, and his six grandchildren are enrolled in ASD elementary schools.

Pat first served on the Anchorage School Board from 2008 to 2017. Pat focused on improving graduation rates, reducing dropout rates, and improving Career Technology Education (CTE) opportunities.  During Pat’s first three terms, graduation rates increased from low 60 percent to over 80, dropout rates decreased almost in half, public support for a CTE bond sponsored by Pat allowed expansion of CTE opportunities in middle and high schools.  During his first three terms, the cost of administration was cut every year.

While declining State funding has increased classroom sizes to one of the largest in the nation and COVID has disrupted education opportunities, we must still do better for our children.  The National School Board Association defines the role of school boards to include 1) voice of the public, including students, parents, staff 2) provide direction to ASD Administration and 3) accountability.  Pat is committed to spending all public funds focused on student success to improve academic outcomes and prepare all students for success in life.

Dora Wilson

Seat F through April 2027, second term

Committees: Governance, School Based Community Health Centers (SBCHC), National Black Caucus of SB Members (NSBA), National Native American/Alaskan Native Caucus (NSBA), National Hispanic Caucus (NSBA)

Dora Wilson is the mom of three children, now young adults.  She and her husband have been licensed therapeutic foster and adoptive parents for the past 16 years and have had youth attending Anchorage Schools for the past 20 years.  Dora graduated from the University of LaVerne with her Master’s degree in Business Organizational Management. 

Currently, Dora serves as the Alaska Southcentral representative on the Resource Family Advisory Board. This board was created by the Office of Children Services (OCS) with the purpose of advocating for foster families. She is also a co-founder of AK Hopes & Dreams Project, providing free youth leadership summits to students.

For the past 20 years, Dora has worked with the Anchorage School Business Partnership program as a board member, advocating to strengthen partnerships between schools and the business community. She understands the importance of a quality education and strong partnerships between schools, families and the community.   

Dora believes in the importance of public education and the positive impact it can have on the youth in our community.