Candidate for
School Director; Northgate School District

It is important that the district as a whole works together to achieve the best scenario possible for the success of the community. That means, while the school board and the councils of Avalon and Bellevue are separate, they serve the same community. Decisions made by the school board should be equitable for all the citizens. Communication and participation continue to be significant for the success of the Northgate community, and as such, community support and involvement should be a two-way street. Intergovernmental meetings and committees could be established to address issues that might benefit from diverse viewpoints and expertise. Many of the same concerns exist across political subdivisions.

One key to ensuring the fiscal security of the district will be to hold the school board accountable for all spending, which has a direct impact on the community. The recent changes that have been announced are a sign that the school board and administration are assessing the sustainability of the district. As disheartening as it may be to lose a significantly high number of teachers, it's the result of past inaction and political will. While the funding source of local taxes is rather static and government funding is uncertain, it behooves the district to lobby politicians to ensure that available funding opportunities are fully exhausted. Likewise, the district should expand efforts to further seek out available grants that would allow the district to make investments in our schools and students which will not impact the community financially.