My fellow Republican school board candidates all bring something positive to the table. From youthful vitality, to varying levels of experience in education, to a history of collaboration, and even a shared recognition that we must extricate the toxic ideologies that are deeply rooted in our school system. However, there is one positive attribute that I alone bring to the table, and that makes me uniquely qualified to become a member of the school board. And that’s “independent innovation.”
After college, I spent several years pursuing my Masters Degree in Education and then working with special needs students to help fulfill their potential. However, since then I have spent close to 30 years as an IT Software Engineer. My work not only requires me to be technically proficient, but also creative and innovative. When business leaders bring a major systems project to life they usually only have a vague idea of what they want, and even less of an idea of what the business actually needs. Prepackaged and “canned” software solutions are almost never the answer. One must analyze the existing business process (which is often complex), determine its inefficiencies, and innovate a new streamlined process that is aided by technology. A great software engineer constantly needs to be asking “What if?”
I believe my ability to independently innovate, and problem solve is a skill that will translate well into my role on the school board. We have serious issues in our school district, and its going to take more than bulldozing flawed programs to solve them. We need innovative ideas on how to rebuild our schools now! I am the man for the job.
And I have come up with a few innovative ideas already. My “IEP for Every Student” plan recognizes that almost all our students are still suffering from the learning that was lost during the COVID-19 school shutdown. Not just children with diagnosed learning disabilities. We need an informal Individualized Education Plan for every student.
My “Independent Parent Advocate” plan recognizes that the only way to ensure that our school administration respects family rights and responds promptly to parental concerns is for all parents to have an independent resource that will advocate for them. Parents shouldn’t have to be wealthy enough to hire an attorney just to have their rights respected and their concerns addressed.
Finally, my “County Funded Performance Bonus” plan recognizes that we have a huge shortage of dedicated teachers and staff, and that we are increasingly finding it difficult to hire and retain these essential employees. I have already been in discussions with some members of the NHC Board of Commissioners to see if we can create a long-term bonus fund from the hospital sale endowment. This would allow us to reward those educators who go the extra mile to help their students catch up and excel, and this would serve as a true incentive for employee hiring and retention.
I don’t pretend to have all the answers. However, if the voters of this county entrust me to be a member of our school board, then they can be assured that I will keep searching for answers. I will continue to ask, “What if?” because the students of this county deserve the best independent innovation possible.
