Abner Hoage

This week, KUCB is profiling candidates running in the October 1st municipal election. Today’s profile focuses on Abner Hoage, who is running for his first full term on the school board. Several candidates will appear live on KUCB and Channel 8 this Thursday at 7 p.m. to answer your questions.

In his 20 years in the military, Unalaska fire chief Abner Hoage hasn’t had many chances to immerse himself and his family in a community. Hoage joined the Air Force right out of high school and was sent all over the world -- to Germany, Honduras, and the Azores Islands off of Portugal. 

After retiring from the military, Hoage took the opportunity to settle into a home.  

"We got to come out and see the schools and the community, and it just seemed like a great place to raise or finish raising our two kids. So we jumped on and came out here," Hoage says.

Hoage wanted to get involved and contribute to the schools. He was appointed to the school board in January to fill seat C, which Tonya Miller vacated. 

Unalaska schools offer an exemplary education, Hoage says. But he points out that it could be tough to maintain that quality in future years. 

"Budgets continue to get tighter across the state, even changes to oil taxes and things like that," says Hoage. "There is a chance that budgets can get tighter, so we have to be creative with how we continue to provide  the same level of education and activity."

Hoage says the schools have a good relationship with the city, which contributes a significant amount to the budget.  

But rapidly advancing technology will stretch that budget. Hoage says he wants Unalaska’s students to have the right tools.

"You give them a sheet of paper and a pencil, and they’re just not so used to that anymore. We have to adapt to new technologies. Not only because they’re comfortable with it, but that’s the way the workplace is going too," \ Hoage says.

Hoage thinks it’s important to prepare students for a variety of post-graduation plans -- whether they choose to attend college or a vocational school, or jump into the workforce immediately. He advocates for maintaining a strong vocational education program in Unalaska. 

Regardless of the path students take, Hoage says success starts with solid instruction. He wants to use targeted recruiting and competitive pay to make sure Unalaska students get top-quality teachers. 

But Hoage says a good learning environment also requires dedication from all involved.

"You can have all the money in the world, and all the equipment, but if you don’t have buy-in from the people, then it doesn’t work," says Hoage. "I think maintaining that staff and ensuring we have good people taking care of our children [is important.]"

Abner Hoage is running for school board seat C. He will not be able to take part in KUCB’s candidate forum this Thursday.