Five Pillars
Mark's Platform
Putting students at the heart of all we do.
Schools exist because there are students. As a school board member, I will take great care to keep students at the center of our decision making. Every classroom, cafeteria, playground, and bus ride must be safe and nurturing. The climate and culture of a school is created and maintained by the staff. As a school board, we need to model the expected civility, professionalism, tolerance, and passion that we expect from the staff.
Ensuring fiscal responsibility for stability.
Education is a people-centered business. Decisions need to be data-driven, and human-centered. I am proud that the school board and superintendent have recently led the community through a strategic planning process. The vision, mission, and beliefs are important as we decide what to do next. Whether programs and opportunities are expanding or contracting due to available funding, the community’s intentions and desires will inform the school board’s decisions. I have experienced several deep budgetary reductions. A school district must operate within its means because over spending will cut into the funding capacity of future years and beget a feast and famine cycle. This is no way to run a business.
Bringing a systemic vision and creative-thinking.
As we serve the students that are in school today, we need to be cognisant of the complex world that they will enter as a graduate of Hastings High School. This year’s kindergarten students will graduate in 2039. As a school board member, we need to consider the pressing needs of the students that we represent, the desires of the families that we serve, the broad spectrum of “future ready” skills that our society needs, and the unintended consequences of our decisions. With the rapid pace of change, it is likely that the majority of jobs that the class of 2039 will have will be jobs that do not even exist today. Strong instruction in the basic skills, exposure to different exploratory courses, access to the arts, and a wide assortment of extracurricular sports and activities is critical.
Supporting all students, staff, and families.
We often hear the phrase, “treat other people the way that you want to be treated.” This statement does not go far enough… consider “treating other people the way that they want to be treated.” As school board members, we need to constantly try to see and feel the school experience from a multitude of perspectives. Not what is best for us, but what is desired and needed by another person.
The present teacher shortage is real and will continue for many years. The public’s trust and faith in schools has been needlessly diminished by outside forces. As a school board member we need to continually find ways to express our gratitude and pride with all of our staff. Teachers, paraprofessionals, cooks, custodians, administrators, nurses, secretaries, and counselors are all essential staff. It is as easy as slowing down and expressing our gratitude for the service that they provide. School board members also show respect to staff when we honor and appreciate their wisdom, talent, and experience.
Leading with experience and compassion.
With more than three decades of experience in Hastings Public Schools, I know the school system and the community very well. I understand the multitude of agencies and governmental bodies that the schools collaborate with. My experience as a principal, teacher, and superintendent inform my perspective. I am creative, and I am knowledgeable about school finance and school law. I understand the relationship between school law, policy, procedure, and practices. As a school board member, I know how to “stay in my lane” and focus on policy level leadership.
I care deeply about the children of this community. I have chosen to run for the vacant school board position because I am passionate about dedicating my skills and leadership experience to the most important cause… our children. I am emotionally intelligent. I am a good listener and I am a natural consensus builder and collaborator. The true gift of collaboration is not only that ‘many hands make light work’, but that collaboration begets a better outcome and broader buy-in from all that have contributed.