Twenty candidates running for seven seats on Grand Forks School Board
| By Jennifer Johnson, Grand Forks Herald | |
| McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
It's the biggest race in town with nearly three candidates for every seat.
The board oversees the
Terms are usually four years but, because two board members quit out midterm, two of the seats up for a vote this year have two-year terms. That means voters will pick two members from a field of five candidates for the two-year seat and five from a field of 15 for the four-year seat.
Please note that there had been 21 candidates but
Two-year terms
Address:
Age: 40.
Family: Wife Whitney, children Nora, 10, Ellen, 8, and Jack, 6.
Education: Doctorate in physical therapy, UND.
Occupation: Assistant director, physical therapy,
Leadership experience: board member,
Why are you running for
How would you address these issues? I would work to determine more avenues for effective communication. If the district can demonstrate that it can catch up to the mill-levy cap within a few years, I would be against having a public vote, as I think it would fail, which could be disastrous to the students and schools.
How would you improve communication with the public?
What are your thoughts about the
Address:
Age: 30.
Family: Wife Lindsey, children Stetsen and Lilly.
Education: Bachelor's degree in marketing and business administration,
Occupation: Insurance agent,
Leadership experience: Chartered Leadership Fellow; president, Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals; board member,
Why are you running for
What are the top issues facing the
How would you address these issues? Planning is always the first step in correcting any issues, and it will be my first step if elected.
How would you improve communication with the public? There should be a plan for informing the public consistently, including commentary from board members, administrators and educators. The communication should be done over multiple media sources.
What are your thoughts about the
Address:
Age: 54.
Family: Three children.
Education:
Occupation: Attorney; adjunct professor,
Leadership experience: Retired colonel; former director at the
Why are you running for
What are the top issues facing the
How would you address these issues? The biggest problems can be solved or made better by simply allowing open discussion and bringing the public into the decision-making process. I think the board has failed to justify its decisions regarding budget issues and has acted in instances where a vote put to the public would have been a better decision.
How would you improve communication with the public? Any major decision involving millions of taxpayer dollars should be published in the paper, discussed on the radio, argued in a public forum and then voted on by the people if there is enough controversy. Just because the board can make a decision is not a good reason to not bring it to a vote.
What are your thoughts about the
Address:
Age: 59.
Family: Wife Elizabeth, sons James and Thomas.
Education:
Occupation: Attorney.
Leadership experience: Member of
Why are you running for
What are the top issues facing the
How would you address these issues? 1. Stay within budget constraints. 2. Continue monitoring student achievement, hire and retain high-quality teachers and improve curriculum. 3. Continue supporting extracurricular activities. 4. Step up communication. 5. Seek more support from
How would you improve communication with the public? Board members are ambassadors for the district. We need to provide information to the public through all media sources. We can still do more, and I will continue to write letters to the editor, appear on radio and TV programs toward that end.
What are your thoughts about the
Address:
Age: 63.
Family: Wife Pauly, grown sons Peter and Toby.
Education: Bachelor's degree in elementary education and physical education.
Occupation: Executive director,
Leadership experience:
Why are you running for
What are the top issues facing the
How would you address these issues? We need to work with state, federal and local representatives to provide adequate K-12 funding.
How would you improve communication with the public? I believe we have done so: 1. Board meetings are televised on
What are your thoughts about the
Four-year terms
Address:
Age: 28.
Family: Wife Sarah, daughter Madilyn.
Education: Associate of Applied Science degree in audio production and engineering,
Occupation: IT technician, Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services.
Leadership experience: Project lead, project involving a large educational program; helped to manage construction projects.
Why are you running for
What are the top issues facing the
How would you address these issues? I would make sure I am educated on issues affecting the district and community. I would bring situational awareness that allows educated decisions.
How would you improve communication with the public? It will be critical to communicate efficiently with current methods -- such as the district website, TV channel 15 and email --while embracing social media.
What are your thoughts about the
Address:
Age: 44.
Family: Wife Nikki, children Max and Zoey.
Education: Doctorate,
Occupation: Historian.
Leadership experience: Chairman, playground project, Wilder Elementary School PTO.
Why are you running for
What are the top issues facing the
How would you address these issues? A
How would you improve communication with the public? The district neither explains issues in ways that residents can understand, nor uses print and online media effectively. Once the district explains issues simply and honestly, and takes advantage of communications technology, our community will rest assured public education is back on the right track.
What are your thoughts about the
Address:
Age: 55.
Family: Wife Cindy; adult children Anna, Sara and Ben; grandson Andrew.
Education: Bachelor's degree in accounting, UND.
Occupation: Director of trust and investments,
Leadership experience: Former president,
Why are you running for
What are the top issues facing the
How would you address these issues? See below for budget and communication responses. As for growing enrollment, we need to review current facilities and enrollment projections, and determine how existing facilities can be efficiently used.
How would you improve communication with the public? By providing information online and in public meetings; making sure the board addresses difficult questions; reviewing district initiatives with the public more; providing context for decisions made; addressing misinformation right away so it won't become established fact in the minds of residents.
What are your thoughts about the
Address:
Age: 28.
Family: Wife Elizabeth, sons
Education: Bachelor's degree in political science and in business,
Occupation: Owner,
Leadership experience: Board member,
Why are you running for
What are the top issues facing the
How would you address these issues? Significant expenditures, such as building new schools, must be met with a public vote.
How would you improve communication with the public? If elected, I will make sure I communicate with the public via editorial updates, radio addresses and interviews. Whether that is done on an individual basis or as a collaborative effort, I'm willing to do what it takes so the new board is held accountable for the decisions it is making.
What are your thoughts about the
Address:
Age: 33.
Family: Wife Jennifer, four children ages 7, 5, 4 and 2.
Education: Bachelor's degree in landscape architecture,
Occupation: Landscape architect; pastor.
Leadership experience: Small business owner, pastor, church elder.
Why are you running for
What are the top issues facing the
How would you address these issues? I would support teachers and students as they implement Common Core with appropriate policy decisions. I would also lobby the state Legislature to fund schools based on the current year's enrollment instead of the previous year's enrollment.
How would you improve communication with the public? I would increase the frequency of detailed press releases that inform the public about new policy decisions and the financial health projections of the district and their impact on property taxes.
What are your thoughts about the
Address:
Age: 27.
Family: Husband Tyrone, two Corgis, Baylee and Moo.
Education: Master's degree in educational leadership, UND.
Occupation: Development and communication coordinator,
Leadership experience: Member of
Why are you running for
What are the top issues facing the
How would you address these issues? I will use my experience and educational background to balance the many needs of the district, including all of the above.
How would you improve communication with the public? I will continue to work to strengthen the district's presence in our community through public meetings, the website, social media and stronger relationships with news media.
What are your thoughts about the
Address:
Age: 37.
Family: Spouse Lindsay, two children, both 6.
Education: Studied accounting at UND.
Occupation: Accounting specialist, Human Resources and Payroll Services, UND.
Leadership experience: Graduate, Chamber Leadership Program; former board member, public relations,
Why are you running for
What are the top issues facing the
How would you address these issues? There should be a public vote on all major building projects. In addition, I will advocate for straight-forward communication with taxpayers, and be an advocate for parents, teachers and students as Common Core continues to be implemented.
How would you improve communication with the public? The board should not attempt to conceal information affecting taxpayers. The use of email and social media could be used to gather thoughts and concerns from residents.
What are your thoughts about the
Address:
Age: 42.
Family: Children Bree, 18,
Education: Bachelor's degree in sociology, UND.
Occupation: Director of admissions and records,
Leadership experience: Board president, Red River Valley Gymnastics; former vice president,
Why are you running for
What are the top issues facing the
How would you address these issues? Budget and facilities are closely tied. Having realistic and accurate enrollment and revenue projections will allow better long-term planning. Communication is simple: There needs to be more of it from the board and community members.
How would you improve communication with the public? The
What are your thoughts about the
Address:
Age: 40.
Family: Husband Yen Lee Loh, children Farruzah, Ben and Evan.
Education: Master's degree, UND.
Occupation: Financial aid adviser, UND.
Leadership experience: Board member and former chairwoman, Diversity Committee,
Why are you running for
What are the top issues facing the
How would you address these issues? The district should communicate more clearly via the website, school channel, etc., and survey the community before starting large projects. To keep neighborhood schools in use, I suggest redrawing district lines and enticing more families to enroll.
How would you improve communication with the public? I would use the school channel more and post current information online as it becomes available. Updates can also be sent to cellphones, maybe with an app.
What are your thoughts about the
Address:
Age: 48.
Family: Two children.
Education: Bachelor's degree in political science.
Occupation: Development director,
Leadership experience: Board member,
Why are you running for
What are the top issues facing the
How would you address these issues? The district has strong and talented teachers and administrators. The emphasis on arts and athletics at a time when most districts are making cuts is commendable. We need to draw on existing strengths to ensure diverse needs are met.
How would you improve communication with the public? The
What are your thoughts about the
Address:
Age: 40.
Family: Husband Dana, children
Education: Bachelor's degree in nursing and psychology,
Occupation: Realtor,
Leadership experience: Lead RN, operating room,
Why are you running for
Having worked as an elementary-school nurse in the district, I have a different perspective than other candidates and I believe I would be an asset to the
What are the top issues facing the
How would you address these issues? The district needs to have financial transparency and should use a system such as OpenGov.com to inform the public about its financial information in an open and unbiased way. I also believe there should be a public vote on any infrastructure expenses greater than
How would you improve communication with the public? I believe taxpayers distrust school administration. Providing timely and relevant financial information will help restore trust. I would also like to see more meeting agendas and supporting documents for meetings online.
What are your thoughts about the
Address:
Age: 57.
Family: Husband John, children Benjamin, 23, and Carolyn, 20.
Education: Doctorate in educational leadership, UND.
Occupation: Executive director,
Leadership experience: Member of
Why are you running for
What are the top issues facing the
How would you address these issues? I would continue to seek efficiencies without affecting quality education. The state funding formula does not account for growing districts. I would continue to seek a revision of state funding formulas.
How would you improve communication with the public? Posting information in a timely manner online and through social media is a priority. I would pursue the use of multiple formats for conveying information and providing opportunities for public input.
What are your thoughts about the
Address:
Age: 31.
Family: Parents Kevin and
Education: Bachelor's degree, UND.
Occupation: Returning to school.
Leadership experience: Chairman, Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals; Relay for Life.
Why are you running for
What are the top issues facing the
How would you address these issues? The building of the new school should have gone to a vote of the public. Spending
How would you improve communication with the public? I would put major spending increases to public vote and make sure to publish the minutes in the Herald. The taxpayers need information.
What are your thoughts about the
Address:
Age: 39.
Family: Wife Susan, children Alex, Sydnee and Ben.
Education: Master's degree in nurse anesthesia specialization, UND.
Occupation: Nurse anesthetist,
Leadership experience: Member of
Why are you running for
What are the top issues facing the
Communication: I would welcome a monthly radio show in which board members discuss news and issues in the district, and answer questions from the public.
Fiscal situation: In the past two years, the district has reduced its budget deficit, saving about
Funding continues to be a challenge, and the state could pay a greater share with its
How would you address these issues? See above.
How would you improve communication with the public? See above.
What are your thoughts about the
Address:
Age: 62.
Family: Wife Linda, grown daughters Jennifer and Elisabeth.
Education: Bachelor's degree in business administration,
Occupation: Region manager,
Leadership experience: Former president, current vice president,
Why are you running for
What are the top issues facing the
The top issues facing the district are establishing consistent funding with less reliance on property tax, incorporation of Common Core standards and communication with the community.
How would you address these issues? The state has helped with funding, and we need to work with lawmakers to ensure consistent federal funding. Still, we need to closely watch expenses.
We must continue working closely with the state to incorporate Common Core.
How would you improve communication with the public? Communications can always be improved. Now that we have a plan and someone responsible for it, we have already noticed a difference.
The key is the willingness to communicate our message.
What are your thoughts about the
The challenge is to balance our budget with prudent spending and dependable revenue sources.
___
(c)2014 the Grand Forks Herald (Grand Forks, N.D.)
Visit the Grand Forks Herald (Grand Forks, N.D.) at www.grandforksherald.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services
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