School Board Candidate David Friese

David Allen Friese

Family

Wife Diane and son Michael

Education

BS and two MAs from Eastern Michigan University

Employment

Retired

Government history

• Current member of the Saline Area Schools Board of Education. 

Community involvement

• Saline Rotary
• Past SASA coach and board member (vice-president)
• Community Ed coach
• FFA judge for regionals
• Past volunteer with Huron Valley Habitat for Humanity.

Why are you running?

Being on the Board allows me to continue my life long commitment to public education, while providing continued service to the greater Saline community.

What are the top 3 issues facing the district and how should the district address them?

Like all school districts in Michigan our number one issue is financial. When the state legislators and governor cut the foundation grant by $470 per pupil, it placed a great burden on this community. Now discussions are under way in Lansing to eliminate the personal property tax, which will further encumber our operations and potentially lead to an increase in property taxes. As this issue impacts the entire community, it is the responsibility of all to contact our legislators and voice displeasure over their potential actions. In the meantime we must learn to live within our means. There has been some fear mongering regarding the take over of the district by a financial manager, we are far removed from that possibility.

The second issue is to ensure that our schools continue to provide a safe and nurturing environment in which all students can maximize their potential not only in the classroom but in the wide array of extracurricular activities afforded to them. This is the responsibility of the entire board as policy makers.

The third issue that needs to be addressed is the continued maintenance of our facilities. The heating system at Liberty School dates to the 1960s, Pleasant Ridge has been in service for over 20 years and our bus fleet is the oldest in the county. As the intent of Proposal A was to provide operational funding the only logical way to address capital projects is through the bond process.

What needs to happen with the next teachers' contract and how do you plan to get it done?

As a current board member, addressing this issue is somewhat subject to the Public Employees Relation Act. Once again, as an individual board member it is not prudent to make claims that one can not achieve. We have a Board of Education, not a me or an I.

Upcoming negotiations will be subject to the economic realities, that have been dealt to the district by the State.

(This page will be updated as we publish the candidate's answers to the questions we posed.)