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IN YOUR VIEW, WHAT HAS THE SCHOOL BOARD DONE WELL OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS? WHAT HAS THE SCHOOL BOARD DONE POORLY THAT YOU WOULD CHANGE? I’m very pleased with the diversity of the current board. I think a board with a range of age and experience does better work, especially when it serves a diverse population like the 3,300 students from a variety of backgrounds and socio-economic situations in the Mandan schools. I think the new schools were vital and well-vetted, and I’ve been very pleased with the reading programs at Lewis & Clark. Ensuring that every child gets the support she or he needs at key points in the learning process is right and important. I know that 18 teachers left Mandan for better paying jobs in Bismarck this past year. That is too many. That brain drain is one of the reasons I decided to run – Mandan should be able to keep its teachers and pay them a competitive salary. I know that is being addressed and I want to help. We need to do our best to keep good teachers – their work is invaluable. We will see the benefit of that effort in the classroom and in the community for years to come. WHAT ARE THE FACTORS ON WHICH YOU WILL BASE YOUR DECISIONS AS A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER? My decisions will be based on my experience in educational boards; my observations as a parent and community member; fiscal balance and big picture thinking. Strategy is vital to decision making. You have to know where you’re going to make good decisions in the day-to-day. I’m really impressed with the vision set forth by the district – I believe we do best if we carefully consider the vision at every step of the way HOW WILL YOU BALANCE QUALITY OF EDUCATION WITH A FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY – PROVIDING A QUALITY EDUCATION WITHOUT OVER- BURDENING TAXPAYERS? I believe that doing what is right for education is in the best interest of the whole community, but that must be balanced with the fiscal realities of the community. As Mandan grows, the tax base too will grow, that helps. I think we need to be the best possible stewards of taxpayer dollars, leveraging every dollar wisely within the district. I believe the district does that now. I believe that fiscal stewardship, well communicated, inspires trust. Then, if and when the taxpayer is asked to do more, he will understand the necessity and trust in the board’s process.
SCOTT HALVORSON - BISMARCK SCHOOL BOARD WHY ARE YOU RUNNING FOR SCHOOL BOARD AND WHAT QUALIFIES YOU FOR THE POSITION? I am running for the School Board because I have devoted my whole life to the education of kids and I wish to continue in that capacity. My background in education and the fact that I have served on the board and helped guide BPS through the challenges of unprecedented growth. IN YOUR VIEW, WHAT HAS THE SCHOOL BOARD DONE WELL OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS? WHAT HAS THE SCHOOL BOARD DONE POORLY THAT YOU WOULD CHANGE? I believe we have done a good job of planning and taking action to address the challenges that we have faced with the tremendous growth in our student population. We have been very open and transparent in our approach to address these challenges. Community input has been a critical component of the process . While I wouldn’t do anything differently, I believe we always need to look to improve as a board and a board member. WHAT ARE THE FACTORS ON WHICH YOU WILL BASE YOUR DECISIONS AS A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER? Before any vote that I make as a board member, I always ask myself how will it impact student learning and is it financially sound. HOW WILL YOU BALANCE QUALITY OF EDUCATION WITH A FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY – PROVIDING A QUALITY EDUCATION WITHOUT OVER- BURDENING TAXPAYERS? With our mill levy and cost per student compared to other large schools in the state I believe we have done a good job of being prudent with our budget and are not falling behind in providing for educational needs of our students. I have always believed education is an investment and as in any investment we must make sure we are getting the highest return. The bond vote was a strong indication of the tremendous support that the people of Bismarck have for education. As a board member we cannot do anything to jeopardize that support which means we need to continue to scrutinize expenditures to make sure they are financially sound.
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