Thread originally posted last night.  Reposted/updated 8.22.12.

In a final 3-1 vote, the CdA School Board chose Jim Hightower to replace Sid Frederickson.  Mr. Hightower will be sworn in at the next board meeting in September.  

The CdA Press article here, reports Trustee Jim Purtee, who, like Hightower, is a restaurant industry veteran with decades of corporate experience, said he has a good understanding of what Hightower brings to the table.

"He knows the kids in the (employee) applicant pool, and if it's a fraction of what I experience, he'd be desperate to change the system, because something is broken," Purtee said. "I think he has the budgetary experience that will also be helpful because we have some serious financial issues staring at us."'

CH:  I was present at last night's meeting.  Mr. Hightower expressed his priorities if he were chosen to represent Zone 5 on the school board.  His first priority was to be pro-active regarding safety and security in our schools.  He stated he supported the Aug. 28 school bond and that he had toured our schools.  He also stated that another priority is to "affect the curriculum to introduce practical experience" that he sees missing as an employer.  He would like to see our children be able to "read cursive, understand the value of credit, and be able balance a checkbook."   

Mr. Hightower has a steep learning curve in front of him.  What are issues that you see as a priority for this new board member to quickly understand?

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