· Debra K. Mullins, School Board Seat 3, Nikiski;
· Victoria E. Pate “Vicki,” School Board Seat 3, Nikiski;
· John Nels Anderson, School Board Seat 4, Soldotna;
· Debbie Holle Brown, School Board Seat 7, Central; and
· Wayne Wong, School Board Seat 7, Central.
Ninilchik is part of the area included in the Central district.
Collectively, the candidates’ responses to questions asked by the Homer News included availability of resources, home schooling, small school class offerings, vocational classes, community support, contract negotiations and funding. A response was not received from Brown.
“In order to address these issues adequately, I need to first understand all the facts,” said Wong, who lives in Clam Gulch and is a first-time school board candidate. “I am certain that these challenges have been looked at previously. Nevertheless, I have a strong desire to serve and believe where there is a will good things can happen.”
Representing the unrepresented is the reason Pate, also a first-time candidate, said she chose to run for the board.
“Parents who educate privately — either at home or utilizing a private school — plus childless taxpayers who object to forced subsidy of government schooling are currently not being represented by the school board,” Pate said. “I am running to give them a voice.”
Mullins served on the school board from 1981 to 1987, and from 1996 until the present. Anderson, who is running uncontested, has been on the school board since 1993. Brown was elected to the board in 2003.
Adequate funding of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District was a top issue identified by several candidates. Using statewide area cost differentials, a recent study prepared by the Institute of Social and Economic Research of the University of Alaska indicated the need for a $10.2 million increase for the peninsula, the single biggest increase for any district in the state.
When asked what board members can do to ensure adequate funding, Anderson said, “In honesty, the board has limited ability to affect funding period.”
Mullins turned the spotlight on the public’s responsibility in waging the funding fight.
“I would encourage parents, retirees and general taxpayers to join with school board members in testifying before the legislature regarding the cost differential study that is currently under review,” she said.
Support from outside school walls also was highlighted when asked what can be done to help schools meet adequate yearly progress targets as required by the federally mandated No Child Left Behind act.
“Turn off the TV one night a week and read books as a family,” Mullins said.
The candidates’ widest-ranging responses came when asked how, if elected, they would benefit the people of their districts. To that question, candidates addressed being guided by what is best for kids, pointed to longevity on the board and years of public service, committed to integrate experience in the professional arena with school board responsibilities, addressed church-sponsored educational programs, offered to facilitate parents’ choice to remove children from government schools, pointed out the benefits of an entrepreneurial attitude among teachers and promised to do their best.
Voters have much to consider before casting their vote on Oct. 4.
McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckibben.jackinsky@homernews.com.
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