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Age
(
Demographics / Personal Info )
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46 |
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Family
(
Demographics / Personal Info )
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I have been married to my wife, Kim, for 20 years. In addition, my son, Andrew, is nine years old and a third grader at Bentwood Elementary in the Olathe School District. |
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Occupation/place of employment
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Demographics / Personal Info )
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Director, Global Supply Chain; Garmin International |
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Education
(
Demographics / Personal Info )
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B.S. Mechanical Engineering; School of Technology; Purdue University. MBA, Rockhurst University; Executive Fellows Program |
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Number of years you have been a resident of the city
(
Demographics / Personal Info )
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12 years. |
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Political Background
(
uncategorized )
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Olathe Board of Education- 2005 to present;Precinct Committee Representative |
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Civic involvement
(
Demographics / Personal Info )
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• Member; Kansas Family Policy Council;• Head Start Policy Council; 2008;• Coordinator; Johnson County Unemployment Support and Transition Group;• Executive Strategy Council; North East Business Association;• Sunday school teacher and youth mentor;• Executive Leadership Council; Christ Lutheran Church;• Youth sports coach; Olathe |
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Would you support an increase in the LOB (Local Option Budget) to enable the district to increase staff salaries?
(
uncategorized )
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Yes, I proposed the LOB increase to the board in 2007 for the purpose of increasing teacher’s salaries. This was unanimously supported by the board and favorably voted upon by the public. |
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Do you believe that the cash balances of the school district are too low, about right, or too high?
(
General )
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The cash balances of the school district are within the operating parameters established by the board and are adjusted as dictated by economic conditions and K-12 funding needs. |
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How do you feel about the district’s consideration of moving ninth grade students to the high school?
(
uncategorized )
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The community has voted in favor of this initiative and I am in support of ensuring a successful design and implementation. |
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What is your position on charter schools/vouchers that allow for public funds to be spent for private schools?
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uncategorized )
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I support the current board legislative position of being opposed to vouchers, tuition tax credits or choice plans that would aid private elementary or secondary schools which are not subject to the same legal requirements as public schools. |
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What is the role of a Board member versus the role of the Board? What do you see as the major role of the board of education?
(
uncategorized )
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To support the Board vision, guiding principles and strategic direction. |
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What do you see as the major priorities of the school district for the next five years?
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uncategorized )
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To continue to responsibly provide for the standard of excellence that defines the Olathe School District and to provide a quality education for all children in the Olathe public schools. |
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What changes, if any, would you recommend in the school finance formula?
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uncategorized )
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Any change that provides improved local control. |
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Do you support recent actions by the Kansas Supreme Court to increase school funding?
(
uncategorized )
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I support legislative actions taken by the legislative body of the state. |
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Why do you want to serve on the Board of Education and what makes you especially qualified to do so?
(
uncategorized )
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1. To serve the families, parents and students of Olathe in providing a quality education;
2. To support teachers and ensure their equitable compensation;
3. To increase funding directly into the classroom;
4. To represent the community in a fiscally responsible manner. |
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If the Olathe District Schools Board of Education is called upon to make significant budget cuts in the 2009 and 2010 budgets, what approach you would take? (For example, should cuts be across the board or should they be more strategically targeted? If the latter, please list the first 5 budget items or categories you would examine to reduce, prioritized from 1 to 5.)
(
Education )
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My approach will be to work closely with staff and other board members so as to determine the most appropriate approach in an effort to minimize any impact to the district. |
Our local school districts are facing the potential of cuts in previously proposed FY2010 funding increases due to the lack of revenue being generated, and projected to be generated, by the state. As a locally elected member of our school board, please explain your perspectives on the following issues:
i. Should statewide tax rates be increased?
ii. Should local tax levels (i.e. property taxes) be increased?
iii. Should the Legislature grant greater taxing authority to school boards to utilize the Local Option Budget?
iv. Should the local school district simply absorb the loss of revenue through spending cuts?
v. Other thoughts/ideas?
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uncategorized )
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Not knowing the actual magnitude of any potential funding reductions for FY 2010 I will not speculate as to what the potential solution may look like. |
