Funding an issue for school board candidates
Funds for education – including support for capital improvement bonds – remain a common theme among school board candidates this fall.
Voters in the Spokane Valley have choices in two school board races on Nov. 6. Meanwhile, five school board candidates are running unopposed.
In Central Valley, incumbents Debra Long and Cindy McMullen are running unopposed. For CV’s District 4, incumbent Lynn Trantow faces a challenge from veterinarian Keith Clark.
East Valley candidate Mitch Jensen is running unopposed to replace Jerry Shaw. For another slot on the East Valley School Board District 2 incumbent Michael King is running against Trentwood resident Mike Harris.
Two West Valley incumbents, Bob Wentworth and Debbie Hjortedal, are both seeking re-election without challengers.
Here is a glance at school board candidates in races:
Central Valley
“Trantow, 53, has served five years on Central Valley’s school board, first appointed in 2002 and then elected to a four-year term in November 2003.
In addition to her work on the board, Trantow is an office manager who received a communication science degree from the University of Washington. She has volunteered in schools since 1991.
“I’ve also been very active with St. Mary’s Catholic Church and serve on the parish council,” said Trantow. “I have two daughters who graduated from the Central Valley School District.”
Among key issues, Trantow listed the need to listen closely to recommendations for school facilities.
“We need to take stock of what our facilities options committee says. For example, if the state deems that we need all-day kindergarten throughout our district, we’ll have to come up with 33 classrooms.”
However, a number of education issues need constant attention, she added. Trantow is proud of the district’s new strategic plan, enhanced professional development for staff and the board’s legislative advocacy work regarding funding, curriculum and assessment.
“We have to address all the issues in education. The strategic plan gives us that road map. As board members, we’re spending time talking to our legislators, talking about unfunded mandates and the laws that may be coming down that affect education. We are always working on so many things.”
When asked why voters should consider her, Trantow said she has the time to do the work required of board members.
“I put in 12- to 15 hours a week into this work, sometimes 20 hours at the beginning and end of the school year. It’s all volunteer work because I believe in education. I have no hidden agendas. Everything I do is in the best interest of the students of the Central Valley School District and staff, and for that I think I should be re-elected. It’s been a privilege to represent the Central Valley School District.”
“Clark, 49, is a Spokane Valley veterinarian and father of seven children ages 5 to 23.
He received his bachelor of science degree from the University of Idaho and his DVM from Washington State University.
Clark served as a member of an earlier school facilities committee when Central Valley first started seeing growth in the east side of the district.
“That was before the crunch of growth we have right now,” he said. “They were trying to get ahead of the curve.”
His other community work includes being involved in Boy Scouts for 12 years. Raised in the Boise area, he has lived in the Spokane area for about 12 years. Previously, he had a practice for one year in Arizona, and then in Fruitland, Idaho, for about seven years. He bought his current practice in Spokane Valley in 1995.
Among key school issues, Clark listed the need for adequate school facilities and a return to a more traditional math program.
“A big flash issue with voters is the math issue. People want change. Our current math system just isn’t preparing our students for college. Parents and families want things moved back to a more traditional math approach. I do support that.”
He also cited responsible use of any bond money.
“Voters really want to know where any money is going. They’re not willing to give blank checks any more. There are certainly some needs, crowding in some schools. We’re getting up against a crunch here to make sure kids are educated. We have to gain that trust in order to get over that hurdle.”
Clark said people should vote for him because he wants to be a part of change.
“I felt it was time to be a part of the process of change rather than sitting back and complaining,” he said. “I’m hearing from people that some of these things I want to see changed, they also want to see.”
East Valley
King, 57, said he wants to be re-elected after two terms because he still has work to complete.
A part-time Spokane County Library clerk, King had four children attend East Valley schools and now has four grandchildren in the district. A Scoutmaster for Troop 497, King graduated with an associate degree from Spokane Falls Community College, where he later earned an associate of applied science degree in library sciences.
King served in the Navy for six years and the Washington Air National Guard, from which he retired after about 14 years. He also was an electronics technician for Spokane Research Center, part of the Bureau of Mines.
For King, the “key issue is trying to get the best education for the kids, and the means to do that is trying to get as many dollars into the classroom as possible.”
“The dollars are getting less and less,” he said. “Everyone wants a piece of the dollar pie. Almost all our budget from the state goes for salaries and about all we have left over are levy monies.”
About 10 percent is already earmarked for such items as extra staff costs, special education overages and curriculum purchases, he said.
“That leaves about 5 percent that we can use to fund all the extra stuff such as libraries, extra bus routes, field trips, sports, fine arts.”
King also lists the quality of teachers as a top priority.
“Our job is to oversee the selection and retention of really good teachers, and that is really difficult. The one thing is they don’t get paid very much, not initially. East Valley does have some really good teachers.”
He wants to continue overseeing that process as well as others.
“I want to see that we are fully curriculum-aligned, that when students go into another grade, they have a linear progression from one grade to another,” he said. “We have a good curriculum committee going now.”
“I would like to see the school district get very efficient with its dollars. We still have a superintendent search coming up that I would like to be a part of. “
“Harris, 42, is active in the Trentwood Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization and wants to bring forward new ideas in his bid for a school board seat. “I think it’s time for a change,” said Harris, who has two children, one in preschool and another in fourth grade at Trentwood. He owns a business manufacturing devices for the hearing impaired.
Among key issues for East Valley schools, Harris cites the need to brainstorm solutions.
“I think a person with a fresh perspective on the board is going to help the district continue to grow and develop,” he said. “One of the problems we have obviously is we have inherited a large financial deficit, and we have a declining enrollment issue.”
“I’m very excited about getting the opportunity to be a part of the selection of a new superintendent to bring the district to its full potential. I think we need a superintendent who is a strong leader.”
Harris graduated from Eastern Washington University with a master’s degree in business administration. A Spokane Valley resident for 30 years, he also graduated from East Valley High School, in 1983.
He volunteers in the community for different groups, including food drives and dog rescue work.
“Owning my own business gives me time to put in to different organizations,” he said.
When asked why voters should consider him, Harris cited his ability to think outside of the box.
“I consider myself good at brainstorming. I come up with a lot of ideas and perspective, and I think I can contribute to turning things around a little faster for the district. East Valley has in the past been a stellar district, and we have all the makings to become a stellar district again. That’s a goal. I want East Valley to be the top district and admired for innovative programs and the things we can accomplish as a district.”
“I’m sincere about this. I know it involves a time commitment.”