Deedie Sorensen jumps into school board race after getting ‘full-court press’ to set retirement plans aside

Juneau Board of Education president turned in write-in paperwork to city clerk Wednesday

Deedie Sorenson attends an Assembly Finance Committee on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Independent)

By Jasz Garrett

Juneau Independent

Deedie Sorensen said she was looking forward to retirement, but reconsidered after many people asked her to run for reelection because they think she's "a better option."

When asked why, Sorensen said the people asking her to run are "looking for someone who's just a long-time advocate for public education."

"I taught in the public schools, my son attended the public schools, I feel like the moves that the school board has made in the last three years or in the last six years have moved the district forward through really difficult times," Sorensen said. "I think that we have some momentum, looking forward to our test scores coming out, hopefully seeing how our sixth graders did. I think that we're moving in the right direction and maybe I can help keep that going."

Sorensen taught in Juneau for more than 35 years and has been on the Juneau Board of Education for six years.

"My life has been public education, advocating for kids in schools, advocating for teachers in schools, and now advocating for all the children in the school district," she said.

Sorensen said she listened to the League of Women Voters of Juneau candidate forum on Friday, and felt like "there really needs to be a strong voice for public education."

Furthermore, "there was a full-court press over the weekend" from people urging a write-in campaign, Sorensen said during a school board Finance Committee meeting Wednesday.

The deadline for write-in candidates for both Assembly and school board members is Sept. 30.

• Contact Jasz Garrett at jasz@juneauindependent.com or (907) 723-9356.