Pictured left to right NSB Mayor Edward Saggan Itta and NSBSD School Board President Debby Edwardson

For the past 38 years, since the incorporation of the North Slope Borough School District, the school board members, administrators, teachers and staff have promoted community involvement and the local individuals who make education for children happen on the North Slope. 

This year, a proclamation was presented during a North Slope Borough Assembly Workshop held on March 26 to celebrate service, commitment and dedication. President Debby Edwardson stated, “We wanted a more formal way of recognizing Mayor Edward Itta’s accomplishments since it was the last time the school board would meet with him in a formal meeting.” 

The proclamation recognized his service as a former school board member and president, his North Slope Healthy Community Initiatives, and his unwavering support for education on the North Slope through his holistic approach to a child’s needs that never forgot the value of strong families. 

“The message of the school board is that Mayor Itta’s leadership in our community has accomplished important things that deserve recognition,” stated Superintendent Peggy Cowan of the North Slope Borough School District.  “Many noteworthy accomplishments are done because it matters or because it is the right thing to do for children and many, many times leaders do not receive recognition for making a difference for others and children. Today the School Board and administration honored an outstanding individual who works to bring out the best in everyone on the North Slope.” 

Mayor Edward Itta served as school board member and president from 1983 to1988. Honorable Mayor Itta has helped plan, chaired or attended school functions over the last 28 years.

- Susan Hope works with the North Slope Borough School District.

Itta named lifetime ‘champion of education’

Here’s the proclamation honoring Itta by the North Slope Borough School District Board of Education:

Whereas, the Honorable Mayor Edward Saggan Itta served the students of the District as a member of the Board of Education from 1983 to 1988, including as President, and

Whereas, Mayor Itta is finishing two successful terms leading the Borough and more importantly, the people of the North Slope, and

Whereas, Mayor Itta and the Assembly have increased the financial support to the District during his administration by 45 percent, and

Whereas, Mayor Itta has devoted his energy to healthy communities, healthy schools, and healthy students, and

Whereas, Mayor Itta is himself a role model for our students as to what they can accomplish when they engage with the world,

Now, therefore be it resolved, that the North Slope Borough School District Board of Education proudly recognizes Mayor Edward Saggan Itta as a lifetime “Champion of Education!!!”