Despite a massive exodus of students and chronic failure to teach basic reading and math across the district, Fairbanks Superintendent Luke Meinert has been recognized as one of the top 10 school superintendents in the nation.
The award, given by Education Insider recognizes “visionary leaders who are redefining excellence in education” and “driving transformation through innovative policies, data-informed decision making, technology integration and inclusive leadership practices.” In particular, the award is reserved for educators who exhibit “forward-thinking” approaches to that inspire the next generation of educational leaders in an “ever-evolving academic landscape.”
The award website does not clarify exactly why Meinert received the national accolades, but under his leadership the school district has failed the vast majority of students when it comes to ensuring mastery of basic reading and math.
Meinert took over as Fairbanks superintendent in July 2023 after serving three years as assistant superintendent.
During these years, he has worked to implement a radical DEI and LGBTQ agenda set by the school board, which has included explicit and graphic sex education, homosexual history month, sexually explicit library books and mandatory DEI training for all employees.
In January, the state reported that more than 65% of Fairbanks students are failing in math, reading and science.
Over this period, the district has dealt with outraged parents and community members who have often flooded school board meetings and email boxes to express frustration with the district’s social engineering goals and dismal academic results.
Chronically failing reading and math scores have exacerbated these concerns as thousands of families have pulled children from the district in order to homeschool or send their kids to private schools.
This has forced the district to shutter multiple schools and lay off scores of teachers as enrollment numbers continue to decline.
In January, the state reported that more than 65% of Fairbanks students are failing in math, reading and science.
These scores have coincided with a mass exodus of students. From 2002-03 to 2024-25 Fairbanks lost 3,340 students, dropping from 15,140 to roughly 11,800. In October, the district announced that it had lost another 589 students this year, and now stands at 11,382.
Nevertheless, the Fairbanks District issued a statement praising Meinert’s leadership.
“This distinguished recognition honors his leadership, innovative approach to education, and steadfast dedication to our students, families, and staff,” the district stated on its Facebook page. “Dr. Meinert’s commitment to fostering academic excellence, advancing equitable opportunities, and building strong community partnerships continues to shape a brighter future for all learners across our district.”
After winning the national award, Meinert highlighted his efforts to advance diversity, while enhancing the use of technology, including teaching students about how to utilize AI.
He also claimed the district has “focused on building a stronger foundation for student success, enhancing literacy across grade levels, fostering meaningful family partnerships and driving sustained improvements in graduation rates.”
Meinert, who has a Ph. D in Education, said one of his “most influential roles has been serving as technology director.”
“Technical problems are easier to solve than people problems,” he acknowledged. “I’ve worked relentlessly to ensure that every student, regardless of their zip code, has access to high quality educational experiences on par with those in urban areas.”
Meinert claimed that AI is “transforming education” in Fairbanks.
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“Our board introduced a new AI policy to ensure that students learn to use AI in school and in the workplace as well,” he highlighted. “I embrace various technological educational communication tools. One of my favorite tools is podcasting.”
He now podcasts once every couple of weeks to talk about his various initiatives.
Additionally, he boasted of his work to ensure that the district is “elevating indigenous voices in educational policy.”
“To honor their voices, we’ve embedded local tribes and Alaska Native leaders into every decision-making process,” he said, adding that an Alaska Native advisory seat is now part of the school board.
Following his award, Meinert chose to offer advice to other educational leaders across the nation.
“Leadership matters. Every successful organization hosts great leaders,” he said. “Act with urgency. Students rarely get a second chance at education. That’s why we must be relentless in addressing challenges and creating environments where every student can thrive.”
12 Comments
This guy thinks and acts, supervises and teaches like Crime Boss Dunleavy. In fact Crime Boss Dunleavy probably made sure this guy got the reward. Why are students failing? Ask Crime Boss Dunleavy and his teaching practices and philosophy. Children fail when the images before them show them the image they have to learn and follow.
I learned long ago that awards are no indicator of excellence. They are trophies for the barely adequate, earned by playing some political game. I’m sure it makes him feel great, except he knows he is a failure and is just covering. Pay it no mind.
“…….he has worked to implement a radial DEI and LGBTQ agenda set by the school board……..”
This is why he won the award. It’s time to recognized that the entire industry, from kindergarten to graduate level, is corrupt beyond redemption. Like radical Leftists openly proclaim, it can’t be saved. A reversed Long March has run out of time. It will be brought down in a crumbled heap on its own lack of merit.
Did ya’ll know that a full 23% of the Alaska Legislature are/were educators?
Who is the Education Insider? The only people who are going to give out awards to those who are ignoring the very foundations of education are a bunch of Liberals masticating as people who are experts. They are usually democrats. As for the comments on Governor Dunleavy, he has tried every which way to get an emphasis on reading skills, even to the point of working with then democratic senator Tom Begich to get the reads act passed. And yet the democrats have done everything possible to thwart his efforts to get accountability for the money spent in education. The true enemies of education are those who insist on ignoring the fundamentals, like the school boards elected by the citizens of a community. And that is the fault of the people who elect them and then turn a blind eye to their miserable records.
Fairbanks children and Grandchildren are being destroyed by this takedown of the good old USA. Ask yourself, can we just sit back and allow their destruction. It’s time to look for alternatives to sending the kids off to be bent by these Traitors. Put your kids in a Home School setting or push for Charters to set up that are independent of the NEA, Teachers Unions, and STOP the Steal of your kids minds. If they don’t go to their schools, the traitors don’t get paid. There’s no-one coming to save them but YOU !
Both Reggie Taylor and Shelia expressed well the thoughts I had today about this issue. The DEI stuff and wondering who this organization is. I would put no stock in this award beyond some agency recognition of their own. Our entire public school system, state and nationwide, would benefit from a massive overhaul. Eliminating the federal Department of Education, moving the responsibilities to states, communities, and PARENTS. Promoting choice and alternatives, as well as competition, would be the most effective avenues to improved success. Even the most troubled families do care about the education of their kids and would rise to the option of choices.
Each superintendent comes up here to make big bucks and then resign (many times early) and leave the state as soon as possible. I’m not sure if they are looking for a high 3 like the civilians in the Air Force. His pushing diversity is against people being hired because of merit. The indigenous movement is Marxist again, to split people groups apart. America is a melting pot not to be used for identity politics. Our district is breaking the law by continuing with Gay Pride Month which stays on the “consent agenda” which means it will not be discussed just automatically planned for each successive year. which is against our Presidents Executive Orders. and RFKennedy’s instructions. Alaska needs to lose its funding for going against our President and cabinet which is considered insubordination. Due to union dominance and the NEA pushing the sodomites forward we now have only 3 non LBTQ members on the board and the sodomites are the officers on the board. MFL up here . Superintendent Meinnert has done nothing to help our district and he lied about improved assessments. The curriculum directors are running our district and they are pushing the Marxist agenda and do not care about academics..
This is textbook propaganda. Happens all the time where we live to head off the bad press and get parents and the community to think things are just great. Look, we are winning awards. After all, we are all programmed to think these actually mean importance and the best candidate gets awarded them. I have seen for far too long the good ol buddy club is usually alive and well behind the scenes. After I was bullied as a sick teacher by a horrible Vice Principal, she won an outstanding VP of the year award. In speaking with other educators around the country, one in Knoxville, TN said his principal who was covering up toxic mold in the school that made him sick and he believes contributed to three students’ deaths, ended up getting a huge raise. Things that make you go HUH!
DUNLEAVY AND HIS TROLL SMOLDEN WERE SEEN APPLAUDING THIS REWARD!!! AINT THAT SPECIAL!
Another DEI participation trophy.
Kudos to the parents who have removed their children from failing Fairbanks public indoctrination. As a side note what are the actual viewer stats on Superintendent Meinert’s podcast? My guess is they are as low (or lower) as the district math/reading/science scores not counting board and staff members required to tune in.
All of these awards including teacher of the year are usually very much loved by their unions. I assure you a non union member would not even be considered.