Unlike other members of the cabinet, the education commissioner is not directly appointed by the governor. Instead, the choice is made by the Alaska Board of Education. The governor confirms the board’s pick.
"James Fields"
Governor, state board oust Alaska education chief
“I believe there are some things around the board’s new strategic plan. … We’ve begun to put some meat on that, and I assume they’ve got somebody else in mind that they would like to help lead in that direction,” the outgoing commissioner said.