Answers To Candidate From The Minot Education Association (Part 2)

4. What do you believe is the purpose of a free public education?

The purpose of education in general is to teach students to think critically and freely, to improve their opportunities to contribute to our society and culture and to become a self-reliant member of the community in which they choose to live and work.  Public education isn’t free…it’s paid for by tax dollars.

5. With the current teacher recruitment and retention situation, the importance of recruiting highly skilled teachers is more evident than ever before. One way to attract quality teachers is to ensure they are paid accordingly. How would you approach negotiations to ensure the district can attract the best teacher candidates?

Anybody answering this question by suggesting “pay more” is simply pandering while the current proposed budget is showing a spending deficit.  Recruitment and retention in the education industry is similar to health care, first responders, public safety and other needs in our community today just as it was ten and twenty years ago.  A current interim committee at the state legislature is working on this very issue and finding that satisfaction and appreciation in the workplace is just as important as increases in salary over time.  With regards to paying accordingly, a review of what other school districts of similar size are offering as a full compensation package should be performed each cycle.  All parties know that the school district does not have an unlimited source of funds so it must be understood what can and can not be done in the next cycle.  As the question references highly skilled teachers, the board should look at some merit based pay options for those deserving.

6. If elected to the school board, what is your long-term plan or vision for the district? How would you ensure MPS has funding for these plans? Please be as specific as possible.

I believe no other candidate has demonstrated a long-term plan or vision for Minot Public Schools any clearer than I have.  Approximately five years ago, I approached the Superintendent with the opportunity of a generation;  the building that is now becoming Minot North High School.  There were a number of potential new owners for that property, but my vision was to see a second high school in MPS and that has been achieved with the opening of the school this fall.  Through that process, I advocated for the bond issue (all three questions) and then, probably very much under the radar, worked in the 2023 legislative session to secure previously unavailable funds to help cover the inflationary costs of construction, labor and materials.  I introduced HB1185 and HB1186 that were coal conversion trust fund and revolving loan fund related bills that eventually passed in the final OMB budget.   Further, I prepared a bill draft this upcoming session to require the state to cover the current 60 mills paid through property tax with an inflationary increase year over year on the per pupil payment of 3%.  In all legislative sessions, I have voted for the per pupil increase as part of the funding formula and believe one of the most important functions of the state government is the obligation to provide educational opportunities.  I even advocated at the school board for the colors of the Minot North, envisioning Vegas Gold sharpening Metallic Silver between the two high schools.