School board candidates stress ed opportunity and safety
Oct. 19—Improving educational opportunities and test scores, and increasing safety and security for Clarkston High School — those are key issues for candidates for Clarkston School Board.
Four seats are up for grabs in two contested races. Rick Hanks and Dan Randles are vying for school director district No. 1 for a four-year term and Chris Bunce and Todd Snarr are running for school director district No. 5 for a two-year term.
Miles Sidener is running unopposed for a four-year term for school director district No. 2 and Dennis Lenz is the sole candidate for school director district No. 3, also for a four-year term.
Ballots will be mailed by Friday. Ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 7. Ballot drop boxes are open until 8 p.m. on election night. Drop box locations are available in the alley behind Clarkston City Hall, in the parking lot behind Lincoln Middle School, and in the parking lot and inside the entry of the Asotin County Courthouse.
Here are the candidates for the contested races:
Rick Hanks
Position: School Director District No. 1
Age: 71
Education background: Clarkston High School; Dale Carnegie Public Speaking graduate.
Occupation: Journeyman electrician trained and skilled in troubleshooting and problem solving.
How long have you lived in the area? 66 years.
What is the most important issue facing the school district?
School safety and security are of utmost importance, especially active shooter preparedness. The May active shooter lockdown revealed a lack of reliable communication and procedures resulting in confusion and chaos. The high school used a PA announcement, repeated three times, to inform the teachers and students of the danger. This old technology resulted in frightened students, teachers and parents. Even the superintendent and principal were in the dark as to what to do. The high school and possibly other school buildings are lacking proper doors, entrance control, door/window security and high-tech systems to secure the building quickly, safely and remotely.
After identifying the most important issue facing the district, how do you plan to address it?
I have presented a plan in writing to the superintendent to solve security and communication issues using available modern technology. My plan's primary purpose is to quickly identify the location of a shooter to save lives when seconds count. The system has to handle every possible situation like multiple shooters, multiple locations, fire, evacuation plans, escape routes, and which patient needs medical treatment first. Also, improve the safety of the buildings with bulletproof doors, better entrance control, improved security cameras, fencing and possible active shooter disorientation methods. Hire a professional grant writer to get the necessary funds.
What skills and experience will you bring to the school board if elected?
As a versatile competent craftsman. I am skilled in getting results and meeting established standards. I think outside the box and look at issues from different angles. I know I do not have all the answers, so I am constantly seeking information from anyone who can help. I don't care who gets credit for solving the problem.
I experienced being a struggling child who could have been pushed through the system without a proper education. Teachers and fellow students didn't give up on me. I know the power of helping each other when someone is struggling. Every child is precious.
Dan Randles
Position: School director district No. 1
Age: 64
Education background: bachelor's degree, University of Montana; master's in education administration, University of Idaho
Occupation: Retired; 30 years teaching; coached freestyle wrestling, wrestling, football and soccer for the Clarkston School District
How long have you lived in the area? 32 years
What is the most important issue facing the school district?
The Clarkston School Board needs to look at every available option ... as it relates to the current high school.... The number of entries being a safety concern, infrastructure not conducive to technology.... This list is a portion of the concerns ... and is the reason why every previous bond focused on a new build because a remodel was nearly the same cost.... If the taxpayers choose to move in the direction of a remodel, the position of a school board member should reflect the community's values and desires. I would support whatever desire the majority community members support...
After identifying the most important issue facing the district, how do you plan to address it?
The Clarkston School District needs to develop a 10-year comprehensive facilities plan for the district which includes all buildings: Parkway, Grantham, Heights, Highland, Lincoln, Clarkston High School, Educational Opportunity Center/District Office, and Tech Building. By developing and sharing this plan the district can acquire patron input, develop a timeline of needs and corrective target dates so parents can see and be involved in knowing their schools are included and their voice is heard. Through this process of a comprehensive plan the district may save money on earlier repairs before they become emergencies and thus increasing costs to taxpayers....
What skills and experience will you bring to the school board if elected?
Lead person in establishing the Clarkston Coaches Association which saved athletic and extracurricular activities for Clarkston students and kept coaching positions throughout the district in a very hostile negotiating environment; President of the Clarkston Coaches Association; Clarkston Teacher's Union Negotiating Team; ... started and coached the Clarkston Freestyle Wrestling Club which traveled during the summers across the country.... Both of my children attended all their kindergarten through high school graduation years in the Clarkston School District. Also, my wife Tammi currently works in the district as an educator for Parkway and Heights and has taught in the district for 19 years.
Chris Bunce
Position: School director district No. 5
Age: 58
Education: bachelor's degreee in biology and bachelor'ss in chemistry
Occupation: Retired chemical sales rep for the paper industry
How long have you lived in the area? 26 years
What is the most important issue facing the school district?
The most important issue is providing our students with the necessary academic skills to succeed. Along with the basics of English Language Arts, math, science and history, I believe we need programs that support the varying needs of all students. I believe in technical and certification programs, JROTC, and college prep classes. In elementary and middle schools, I believe we need intervention, special ed and highly capable classes. I realize we cannot tailor an entire education program for each student, but I do believe we need to offer programs in addition to the basics to challenge and support our students.
After identifying the most important issue facing the school district, how do you plan to address it?
I'll promote the new PLC (Professional Learning Community) program to allow educators to collaborate to improve work practices and outcomes. I will work with our educators to ensure they have the best curriculum for their subject along with the appropriate training to teach that subject to the best of their ability. I will encourage educators to be creative in their class offerings at the middle and high school level. I believe offering various technical, certification and college prep classes keep our students excited about education. I will work with Walla Walla Community College, Lewis-Clark State College and individual instructors to bring these classes to our students.
What skills and experience will you bring to the school board if elected?
For nearly two decades, I have volunteered for the school district. As a volunteer, I was fundraising chair for Heights and Lincoln Middle School, a math tutor, involved in parent groups K-12, and President of Clarkston Education Foundation for 6 years. I worked at Lincoln Middle School for four years. Through employment and volunteering, I gained a deeper understanding of our educators' and students' needs. I worked in the paper industry for 30 years where I listened to my customers to determine their needs and reduce their costs. As school board director, my customers will be the community, educators and students.
Todd Snarr
Position: School director district No. 5
Age: 58
Education background: bachelor's degree in business management; several training schools with the U.S. Navy and Internal Revenue Service; certified instructor and certified intuit proadvisor
Occupation: Presently, business owner of S-Corp Accounting/bookkeeping/payroll/tax preparation/Tax Resolutions/etc. — 13 plus years; Retired Federal Civil Service with combined U.S. Navy/IRS — over 25 years
How long have you lived in the area? 13 Years
What is the most important issue facing the school district?
The focus must be the emphasis on learning the "fundamental" subjects of math, English, reading, science, history, music. I support the Running Start programs for high school students who "choose" this program. Over my years, I've seen employers who require an "aptitude" test from new hires. These jobs offer good pay and benefits. These tests involve the fundamental subjects learned in public schools. I researched and found Clarkston School District's students are not meeting standards in education. From last year, of the 2,509 students:
29.5% met math standards
37.7% met science standards
44.6% met English, reading and language standards
After identifying the most important issue facing the district, how do you plan to address it?
My concept starts with a "personal" choice for each student where there is a simple saying: "The more you read, the more you know." I believe all kids can "strive," "learn" and "earn" their education through the choices they make. It starts with the student and motivation must be instilled in each student. My mom taught me to set goals and my dad taught me to work hard. Combine the two, students can earn what they learn. Most recently last weekend, we observed or read how our Clarkston School Marching Band placed first up in Spokane. Job well done.
What skills and experience will you bring to the school board if elected?
Financial Studies — revenue, spending and understanding cash flow (important factors for current and long-term planning); resolving ongoing issues with analytical skills and fact gatherings; instructor (teacher) and manager (quality assurance department); team building (School Board Directors, school administrators and teachers, community involvement with people). Do not agree with micro-management.
I desire to listen to the educators, parents and students about the failed and positive issues our schools are experiencing, and strive to work with the other school board members to come up with more positive policies. I will not agree to "significant" property tax increases.
Brewster may be contacted at kbrewster@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2297.
