Candidate Questionnaire: Jim Link

Radnor Patch has reached out to local candidates to find out more about them. Here is information from Jim Link.

Name: Valentine James Link, Jr. (Jim)

Running For: Radnor Township School District Board of Directors

Party Affiliation: Republican

Positions Held Previously: No elected office held previously

Why are you running for office:  In my professional life, I advise state and local governments, including school districts, on a wide array of financial, investment and governance issues.  In many cases, I am the professional who helps to ensure that the right decision-making process is used, the right data is evaluated and that the process is transparent.  I decided over the past year or two that my expertise was needed in my home school district.  My three children have been, or still are being educated in the school district, so I have a vested interest in making sure the school board operates effectively.  I can add value to the board in a manner that is currently absent from the experience of the board members.

What do you think are the biggest issues you would face in office: I have become concerned that the board has no long-term strategic plan for financial and facilities management or for dealing with operational and educational issues; instead we operate year to year using unplanned budget surpluses to plug holes in our capital and facilities plans and make decisions based on the emotion of the moment rather than sound public policy.  The first challenge is to develop a long-term strategic plan, so we can effectively articulate how we are being good stewards of the public’s money and their facilities.   

The second challenge is to have the board use the strategic plan to facilitate sound data driven decision-making about all types of issues.  If the board can operate and govern in a more transparent and effective manner, all constituents will be better served.  Finally, taxpayers are expected to pump more than $80 million into the district either directly or indirectly each year, but the financial reporting that would allow them to effectively inspect the books is sorely lacking.  A major challenge would be to improve the clarity of financial reporting.

If elected, what would you aim to accomplish: My primary goals if elected would be to develop a long-term strategic plan, to push for real transparency in financial reporting, to help facilitate real curriculum development, and to improve the avenues of input parents have in their students’ education.

Website/other information to promote: http://radnorexpectmore.com