1-15 KEA Questions
1. Please state 3 reasons why you are seeking a seat on the School Board.
It is time to accept the responsibility for decreasing the drop out rate which has been consistently one of the highest in the state for years. By assuring children have the needed educational opportunities to learn to read and to learn the basic skills, a child's success in school and in adult life will be improved.
2. Do you have school age children? If so, do they attend schools in this district?
Mary, my wife, and I are proud of our 5 children. Our oldest, Angela is a Senior this year. Chelsea is a Junior, Billy is a Freshman, Jason is in the 7th grade, and Natalie is in the 5th grade. All of our children have attended the Ketchikan public schools since kindergarten. Mary and I both have many years of experience and involvement with our local public school system.
3. What do you see as the major strengths in our school district?
The major strengths of the Ketchikan public schools are the great children of Ketchikan who are eager to learn, the professional and dedicated staff, and the families and community members who are actively involved.
4. What do you see as the major weaknesses in our school district?
A major weakness of our school district is in the provision of clear and concise information, not only to the public but to the staff. Poor communication and very limited public information disclosure allows for the district to continue the practice of not being forthright in acknowledging weaknesses of the district to the public. It further allows for the district to continue to skirt around putting into action real plans that will address meeting the educational needs of the most challenged to the brightest of our children. District disclosure to the public in a timely and easily accessible manner of all public information related to our educational system will ensure that community members can better take an active role in education by being informed. We must put trust and credibility back into public education.
5. Do you support involvement of school district employees in the decision making of the school board?
I strongly believe that it would greatly enhance our children's educational opportunities to encourage the involvement of all community individuals including district employees. Involvement of others is absolutely necessary in order to keep the board better informed of various ideas, approaches, needs and opinions. This will increase the board's knowledge base and its ability to make informed decisions that will best meet the varied educational needs of the children of Ketchikan. Also by having open input from varying and diverse sources, the board's ability to maintain a positive and respectful working environment for our educational staff will be enhanced.
6. Do you support involvement of the community in the decision making of the school board?
Definitely, as I stated in question number 5, I strongly believe that the involvement of all community individuals is absolutely necessary. It is important that community members be encouraged to take an active part in public education. After all, it is the public who funds public education. Let's keep the public in public education.
If yes, what would you do to insure [ensure] that these citizen's recommendations are implemented?
No elected official can ensure that all recommendations made by every citizen are implemented. However, I intend to take a proactive stance to solicit opinions and comments from others to increase my knowledge base in order that I will be able to make the decisions that will best benefit all of our children. The decisions are ultimately placed in the hands of the elected officials by the community members. However, I strongly believe that in order to make the best decisions it is absolutely necessary that an elected official be open and willing to listen to the varying ideas, opinions and comments of all community members.
If no, who should be making these decisions?
7. Would you support a proposal to subcontract services that are currently being preformed by school district employees? If yes, which services.
This is the classic "Who do we throw out of the life boat?" question. My first choice would be to not sacrifice anyone. Given the hard economic times that many in this community are going through and the desire of many to continue to make Ketchikan their home, working together creatively we can avoid destroying the lives and livelihoods of any of the citizens including any of the employees of this district. Ketchikan's economy and the educational system in this community are like a three legged stool. We can't sacrifice any leg of that stool and still meet the goal of having a healthy economy and the best school district in the state.
8. Research tells us that having a qualified teacher in every classroom is by far the single most important factor in student achievement. What will you do to attract and retain quality teachers in the Ketchikan School District?
As a clarification and with all due respect, research most likely tells us that having teachers qualified in the subject area is by far the single most important factor in student achievement. I believe that by consistently promoting and maintaining a working environment that demonstrates to the professional teaching staff that they are respected and valued employees of Ketchikan's schools is one important way to ensure that our community will be able to retain effective teachers. Providing specific staff development that allows for increasing expertise that will benefit both staff and students will also be another way to retain "qualified" teachers.
In attracting both teachers and administrators who are "qualified" to perform the duties as assigned, I would:
These efforts would greatly increase our community's opportunities to attract "qualified" teachers to replace those teachers who are retiring or leaving for one reason or another.
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9. What
do you see as your responsibility and/or role regarding students
passing the high school qualifying exam that will be first offered
this spring?
As a board member, my role and responsibilities "regarding students passing the high school qualifying exam" would be:
I further believe that it is a responsibility of a board member to support the teaching staff in their efforts to provide positive learning environments that will encourage and motivate students to stay in school and actively engage in learning.
10. Will you seek the opinion of the members of the Ketchikan Education Association on educational issues facing the school board? Why or why not?
I will seek and welcome the opinions and involvement of all teachers on educational issues whether they are KEA members or not. As I stated earlier, I strongly believe that it would greatly enhance our children's educational opportunities to encourage the involvement of all community individuals including district employees which would include their professional association, the KEA. In order for me to make educated and informed decisions, I strongly believe that I must utilize the expertise of our professional staff, parents, businesses and community members, as well as state and national resources and experts.
11. What role do you think the teaching staff should take in developing curriculum and selecting materials for the classroom?
The teaching staff should take an active role in refining the curriculum and selecting the educational materials. However, it is the board's responsibility to set the direction and give final approval.
12. Do you believe standardized teaching methods should be used across the district? Why or why not?
There are many teaching methods some of which have research backing with proven results that are carried out in a specific manner. I would not be in favor of cherry picking of parts of methods and programs in a randomized fashion. However, I am an advocate for applying the methods in the format the research has proven successful.
The methods utilized should not be based on one's personal philosophy but on objective diagnostic evaluations of the individual student's academic needs.
I believe there should be consistency in the teaching methods available from school to school and from grade to grade to ensure that all of the children of Ketchikan, regardless of school placement, will be able to access equal educational opportunities.
13.
Do you feel standardized teaching materials should be used across
the district? Why or why not?
In order to carry out the prescribed methods in a manner that is consistent with the research the corresponding materials would need to be made available in order to meet the same level of academic success.
I am supportive of consistency in teaching materials and required diagnostic assessments; however, this is not to exclude the supplementation of educational materials or methods. This would ensure again that all of the children of Ketchikan, regardless of school, will be able to access equal educational opportunities.
14. Do you believe that public comment at the podium during school board meetings should be limited to the agenda items? Why or why not?
I strongly believe that public comments should not be restricted at the public podium to topics on the agenda or for any other reason. Having used the public podium frequently in the past, I believe that the public podium is intended to provide the public a vehicle for communication. A speaker at the public podium should be able to speak and express their ideas, views, and comments without board imposed restrictions. This would include comments that are critical of the district or of the board.
15. If you are elected, what two major changes would you like to make to the way the Board currently functions?
16-26
CCA Questions
16 (1). When do you usually take a position on an issue?
It all depends on the issue. You are forced to take a position as an elected official when the governing body calls for a vote. I take a position on major issues when I have been totally informed or researched the issue. When certain issues arise you may already have established a position in your mind because it is common sense. You also have a body of knowledge and experience over the years to draw upon in reaching a position. However, this is not to say that you shouldn't be open to further information for consideration. At times it is appropriate to even ask if there is an opposing or contrary position and what the rationale is for that position. Every issue or action does not need extensive research. Some issues, or decisions, are made simply by making good rational judgements.
17 (2). How would you follow through on a position you have taken?
I have to assume that you are asking how I would follow through on a position as an elected official, and a position that the governing body has not yet taken action on or brought to the table. If the position is one that is appropriate for the governing body to address, I would look for the support of fellow elected officials to get it on the agenda and provide the documentation to support my position and the passing of an appropriate motion. I would submit a proposed motion for the agenda. I will, at times, lay out the drawbacks to my position but explain why I believe the motion should still carry. If it is a position the body has already addressed I would ensure that there are deadlines and timely reports on the progress, with clear written expectations covering the result the body is looking for.
18 (3). What would make you change your position?
Significant additional information that is logical and clear that I have not already considered, or a perspective that I have not yet considered.
19 (4). If a dozen people speak at a regular meeting on a controversial agenda item, ten opposed and two for, what would you do?
First of all, the podium is not an election booth or a polling vehicle. The podium is the place for communicating to the elected body. The number of people for or against an issue is immaterial. The substance of the argument is what is important and the right to get up and speak their mind. If the positions voiced at the podium have already been taken into consideration as I formulated my position, I would state (at the appropriate time on the agenda) my position and why I am taking that position. If the information or perspectives voiced at the podium were new, I would consider that information in my decision. If the information is substantial, in such a way that further research is necessary, I would table, postpone, or vote in favor so I could reconsider it at the next meeting. The sense of the majority of the governing body would determine which action would be necessary. I would expect the administration to lay out the pros and cons of issues scheduled for the agenda with justification for any administrative recommendation well in advance of the body's action.
20 (5). Administrators and staff work 40 hours a week on the agenda, make recommendations, and even write the motions for elected persons to read. How can you keep the staff from telling the elected body what to do, instead of the other way around?
As stated in question 4, I would submit a recommended motion that I would expect at the table. The administration can have recommended substitutes. The elected body has to be very clear in their direction and direction should be in writing and voted upon by the body. If the meaning or intent of the motions have been changed in the administration's recommendations you can amend the motion or send it back to the drawing board to be brought up at the next meeting. You have to be specific as to what is and is not acceptable and hold the administration accountable. The administration has to be going in the direction of the elected body and any attempt to subvert the elected officials' intent, cannot be tolerated.
21 (6). What do you think a person who wishes to appeal a decision of the Chief Administrator should do?
I will for the moment assume you are speaking of a member of the public and not an elected official when you use the term "person". There should be a policy for appeals that address this and it should be clear, complete and followed. If there is no policy, a policy should be drafted. Some things could be appealed all the way to the elected body, unless the elected body has already made itself clear on the issue or through the development of the policy has given final say on some issues to the administration. The public is always free to come to the body and voice their complaint and appeal to the elected officials to change their policy or create a new policy.
22 (7). Rank where you would get written information on agenda items? ___Staff recommendations ___Newspaper articles ___Letters to the editor ___ The Internet
First, I believe it is totally inappropriate to rank where you would get information. Especially, with such a vague and totally inadequate list of sources. Depending on the agenda item, any of a number of sources may be of value, and the value of a given source would depend on the agenda item in question. For example, a source of information and perspectives on reading in the school district could be: the parents, the teachers, the administration, the business community, the Alaska Department of Education, the US Department of Education, the Alaska State Reading Specialist, specific reading researchers, the National Institute of Health, one of the regional educational labs funded by the federal government, or others. Each has value and importance with varying weight depending on the agenda item.
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(8). Rank who you would talk to most about agenda items?
___Family ___People at your work ___Civic Organization ___Private
friends ___Government Staff Other: ____
As in question 7, I believe it is totally inappropriate to rank whom you would talk to most about agenda items. The reason is basically the same. The appropriate question I believe you may be wanting to ask is; whether you would be thorough in your investigating agenda items, and would you be open to considering all perspectives and information and explaining your position. To this question the answer is, yes.
24 (9). How would you deal with people who want to talk to you about an agenda item?
I would welcome people to submit their questions or positions in writing and send them via the USPS or email. They can call me at the office and leave a message or call me at home. If there is a broad concern, I could arrange lunch meetings. I have also set up a web site with a "frequently asked questions" section for those who may have the same question but are feeling uncomfortable in contacting me directly. It will also serve as a timesaver for me to have people reference the site. I will be encouraging the School District to create an information center on the Internet. This will help address concerns and correct misinformation and alleviate the corresponding anxiety that occurs with the lack of communication.
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(10). Rank what you do most in a debate?
___tell others your position ___listen to others positions ___try
to reach a compromise Other:_____
The intent of this question is not clear. Obviously, if you are a participant in a debate, you are presenting your position. If you are observing a debate, you are listening to all the positions. As a decision-maker, you may serve in all roles and you will take some issues, or parts of an issue, and decide with one side of the debate or the other. But on other issues, or parts of an issue, you may develop a compromising position. On the school board, I will make my decision depending on what is best for the children.
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(11). Rank how you are seen by others?
___Outspoken ___Unbiased ___Reasonable ___Diplomatic Other:______
I believe I would be viewed as possessing all of the qualities listed above. Given the scenario and the issue, a person may rank one of those qualities higher than the other. In addition, on any given topic, there may be people who will see me differently depending on their perspective. Finally, everyone has biases whether they want to admit it or not. The question is whether you can take in all information and set your biases aside to listen to other perspectives.
Note: Number 1), 2), 3), and 5) had an asterisk and it was noted in pen at the bottom of the page as optional.
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