I’ve knocked on thousands of doors these past few months, and met hundreds of City residents.  It’s amazing to see the diversity of communities and opinions in our small city – and I enjoy hearing from all sides.  There are clearly a few questions that pop up most often:

1 – Q: What does the School Board do?  A:  It oversees our contracts with the County to run and manage our schools; it oversees major capital improvements; and it directs some limited additional resources to our schools.  The City School Board does not hire school staff and teachers, it does notset or modify curriculum, it does not determine budget priorities in our schools.  Its only way to impact on these issues is through relationships with the County and any discussions on our contractual obligations.  (See the link on the relationship for more details).  This is one area where people understand what I bring to the table – a background in overseeing contracts (including during my time in the Office of Management at the U.S. Dept. of Education) and years of working with and establishing partnerships with County officials.

2 – I don’t have kids in the schools, why should I care?  A: Parents with kids in the schools clearly have a vested interest in their quality.  But all taxpayers and homeowners have a stake as well.  When our schools are well maintained and desirable places for people to send their kids, our home values increase.  We also want to make sure we get good value for the funds we send to the County to run our schools – and don’t want to see the funds wasted.

3 – Q: Why are you running?  Is this a paid, full-time job?  A:  I’m running for three simple reasons: Shauna, Sierra and Elana.  I want to make sure my kids continue to get a good education in our schools.  Stacie and I chose this neighborhood for its schools and community – and we are dedicated to keeping them strong.  I’m also running because, in these tough budget years, I want to make sure that our money is being well spent and that the County doesn’t make budget decisions to fix its own problems without an awareness of how those decisions will impact the City.  And, no, this is not a paid, full-time job.  It’s a part-time, volunteer position.  I will serve in the evenings and at school events, but will not benefit from it financially.  If there are any per diem or related reimbursements, I plan to donate them to our PTA’s.

I hear much more on the trail – on a wide range of issues.  Have a question for me?  Drop me an email or ask when I knock on your door.

-Jim