Question 1 for School Board Candidates: Why Are you Running?

There are four candidates competing for two seats on the Board of Education in the Nov. 8 election. They are incumbent David Friese, David Holden, Patti Tanner and David Zimmer. Trustees are paid $30 per board meeting and generally meet twice a month.

Why Are You Running?

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

We have, without question, an elite school district that ranks as one of the best in the state. Contributing to the elite status are parents and taxpayers who value education, students eager to learn and a passionate faculty. I am running for school board because I want to see that elite status maintained. However, it is at risk and we have passed the tipping point. The trend of the past several years must be reversed in order to provide our children with a quality education and maintain our property values.

We have seen a financial decline that has led to draining the reserve fund, increasing student fees burdening parents, staff lay offs, and increased class sizes.

My priorities will be to serve the “customers” of the district.

I am running for school board because I want to avoid gridlock in the district and keep the lines of communication open with all stakeholders. Saline families deserve decision makers who have the students’ education as their highest priority, not pushing an agenda where financial cuts are the stated goal. The school board requires experienced and balanced leadership to maintain SAS (Saline Area Schools) excellence.

I was involved in the creation of the Long Planning Committee concept beginning in 2003 and have worked tirelessly since that time to see this roadmap become a reality. Unfortunately, our actions taken are not as the long range planning effort envisioned.

Today our financial position is unsustainable, our classroom student size is unacceptable, and for the first time in my memory we are beginning to see evidence of a decline in our academic performance.

I remain committed to the objectives of the Long Range Planning Committee. I believe a balanced approach of academic excellence, fiscal excellence, commitment to our community and ensuring a positive and constructive work environment for our teachers, staff and administrators of the district is still within our reach.

(Tuesday, the candidates will identify what they believe to be the most important issues facing the school district. Saline Patch hosts a candidates' forum at the media center at 6:30 p.m. Monday. The public is invited to attend and ask questions.)