David Nees - School Board Seat D |
Occupation: Math Teacher, 27 years with ASD
Registered Political Party: Green. My wife says I am A CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN!!!!!
Why are you running for the School Board?:
I'm running for School Board because I believe the ASD budget is out of control. I want to see a budget that directs as much money as possible to the schools. I would like to see a reduction in overhead cost. It only costs $380 million to keep the schools open, with full staff, transportation, and school lunch. Why does it cost ASD $800 million to do this?
What one sentence best describes your philosophy of how the school district should be run?:
Like NASA, it should be, transparent, faster, and cheaper.
What letter grade would you give the current school board, and why?:
I would give them a "D" for failing to make the budget process simple.
An "F" For instituting Everyday Math and Mathscape against the objections of teachers who see the result first hand.
An "F" For not setting clear expectations for the core subjects
An "F" for allowing social promotion.
An "F" For not setting consequences for students and teachers who do not meet education goals,
And finally a "C-" for not implementing a non college track in our schools.
What letter grade would you give Superintendent Carol Comeau and school administration, and why?:
I would give Carol Comeau and the school administration a "C".
"A+" for Carol for a great job of getting funds from the legislature and the city,
A "C-" for overseeing the extravagant explosion of growth in jobs at Administrative headquarters as the departments have over doubled in size.
We have 5 million dollars alone of overhead in salary and benefits going out to 30 supervisor positions at Boniface.
They all have 50 thousand dollar secretaries.
Mrs. Comeau's benefits, legal costs, and the cost of her secretary alone add up to $2 million dollars annually for the ASD.
What are your thoughts on the 2011-2012-school budget approved by the school board? Is the budget too big?
Yes, it's way to big and mismanaged.
What school services would you like to see reinstated, and how would you suggest they are paid for?:
I would like to see competitive sports at the Middle schools reinstated. Swimming, Soccer, Basketball, Hockey and Gymnastics were all eliminated in the 1980's. There is plenty of money to reallocate them. An example is: The savings from cutting non-departmental jobs would be 2.4 million dollars. This is a simple line item, and I would make a motion to cut this item at the first School Board meeting if elected to serve.
Are property taxes too high? Explain your answer:
The popular answer is yes. However, since most of the school budgets money is from the State the district needs to ask as little from the Anchorage taxpayer as possible. On another note, I think the property tax amount should be based on the amount the property was bought for. The property tax valuation amount should then stay at that level until the home resells, this would give the homeowners a more level tax. For example an individual who bought their home in 1974 for 40 thousand dollars has seen the value of their property go up every year for 36 years. Now that same individual pays taxes on 2 hundred thousand dollars more value than they can liquefy without selling the house.
What is the most important issue affecting the school district as a whole?:
The negative PR of school performance. If all of the schools performed like some of the model ABC Optional schools the public would be much happier.
What are your thoughts on the three school bond propositions in front of voters?:
YES on Proposition I. This proposition is for the final installment for renovating Service High School. My wife and both my children went to Service, same theater. It is almost 40 years old and is the only theater in Anchorage high schools that has not be redone.
No, on Proposition 2. I would not support this until the district brings maintenance labor costs inline. The district should be sharing services with the City and establishing a reserve fund. Why do roof repairs need to be bonded, because you deferred maintenance, everyone knows roofs wear out.
Undecided on Proposition 3, although it is step towards reinstating Voc Ed. it is not a policy change just a request for more money.
All bonds are not designated toward the projects they go in a fund and sit until they are allocated.
The last municipal election had the lowest voter turnout in at least 20 years. Why should people head to the polls and vote on April 5th?:
As an educator I believe in the value of a good education, not everyone will go to college but the school district has not listened to the parents. We have a wait list of over 1000 kids for charter schools again the ASD has not listened to Parents. Taxpayers complain daily on the radio taxes are too high, but they support schools because they know the value of education. School is a very personal experience, for some it is a game changer, for all it is a place to learn about America and our values. The most basic value is the right to vote. If you want change in the ASD or the city government you must vote, if you want to keep it the same you must vote. If you do not care please don't vote.