Frank Hauser announces resignation as Juneau School District superintendent, effective June 30, 2026
- Mark Sabbatini
- Oct 10
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 16
Decision came after school board extended his contract until 2028
By Mark Sabbatini
Juneau Independent
Juneau School District Superintendent Frank Hauser announced Friday he will resign on June 30, 2026, a decision that occurred shortly after the school board extended his contract until 2028.
"It has been my honor to lead the district during this time," he wrote in a message sent via the district’s mobile app. "But after several years of long days, late nights, and weekends working, I have decided it’s time to make a change."
Attempts by the Independent to reach Hauser on Friday evening were not immediately successful.
Hauser was originally hired with a three-year contract at the Juneau School District beginning July 1, 2023. But by the end of that year his duties shifted largely to crisis management with the unveiling of an enormous district budget deficit — blamed on faulty accounting by an administrator who resigned — and which resulted in a consolidation of schools as of July 1, 2024.
More recently he was among educators in various districts battling an attempt by the state to significantly restrict funding municipalities can give school districts. Hauser during a hearing Thursday called the proposal, which the state board of education had temporarily put on hold, a "ruse to undermine public education."
"We have had everything including the proverbial kitchen sink thrown at our district over the last few years, from what a board member called the worst financial crisis the district ever faced to a proposed sweeping statewide regulation change from the state Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) that would have affected local control and local support for our schools," Hauser wrote in his resignation message. "I told you almost three years ago now that the only way out was through. And we came through. Together."
Hauser, has more 25 years of experience in public education in the state, serving as superintendent of the Sitka School District from 2020 until coming to Juneau. Hauser also worked at elementary, middle and high schools, and is a past Alaska Principal of the Year.
Hauser stated he does not know his future plans yet "except that I look forward to being home in time for dinner with my family, to celebrating holidays and special occasions with my phone off, and to having weekends free."
• Contact Mark Sabbatini at editor@juneauindependent.com or (907) 957-2306.
Full resignation message by Frank Hauser on Oct. 10, 2025
Dear JSD Staff and Families,
We have had everything including the proverbial kitchen sink thrown at our district over the last few years, from what a board member called the worst financial crisis the district ever faced to a proposed sweeping statewide regulation change from the state Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) that would have affected local control and local support for our schools.
I told you almost three years ago now that the only way out was through.
And we came through. Together.
We navigated the crisis, reestablished strong community partnerships, established financial stability, updated district and financial practices, and increased opportunities for students and the number of students who benefit from those opportunities, including in career technical education and Advanced Placement courses. Because of the district’s improved financial position, the Board was able to reduce the pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) at grades 4-6 this year, add back counselors and interventionists, and continue to support universal, free breakfast. Although continued vigilance is needed, yesterday the State Board of Education unanimously voted to take no action on DEED’s proposed regulation amendments and to direct the department to seek input and collaboration with stakeholders.
It has been my honor to lead the district during this time. But after several years of long days, late nights, and weekends working, I have decided it’s time to make a change.
I appreciate the Board of Education’s recent, unanimous decision to extend my contract to 2028. However, after much reflection and careful consideration, I have decided that June 30, 2026, will be my last day with the Juneau School District. I informed the board of this decision last week.
I will always hold a special place in my heart for the amazing people I work with every day, this district, and all of you. I would like to thank the Cabinet and District Office staff, in particular—a small, but mighty, group of dedicated professionals, whose hard work and sacrifices in service to this district are vital to its functioning but often go unrecognized.
I do not know what the future holds beyond June 2026, except that I look forward to being home in time for dinner with my family, to celebrating holidays and special occasions with my phone off, and to having weekends free.
The board will determine a process for selecting a successor for the 2026-27 school year, and the district will have lots more updates for you on that and on opportunities for your participation in the process. This timeline will provide plenty of time for the process and the transition. Again, this transition is planned for the end of the school year, in June 2026.
Thank you for your support over these last three years and your unwavering commitment to the Juneau School District and our students.
Warm regards,
Frank Hauser
