This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2008, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Candidate profiles in contested races for both the existing Jordan School District and the new, as-yet unnamed district will appear starting today in Close-Up. Subsequent profiles in other races, compiled from candidates' answers to questionnaires sent by The Tribune will appear in the June 6 and June 13 issues of Close-Up. The elections take place June 24. What appears inside is a portion of the candidates' responses. For complete answers to all the questions of each candidate, visit http://www.sltrib.com and click on the http://www.sltrib.com/education
New Jordan Board precinct 7 candidates
Name: Tracy Bennett
Occupation: Marketing
Education: Bachelor in political science,
University of Utah, 2007.
City: Draper
Why are you running for office?
As a mother of four children, I have spent countless hours as a volunteer in my local schools and am currently serving as a PTA board member at Indian Hills Middle School. As a recent graduate of the University of Utah, I was able to focus a number of my research papers toward education in general and local educational issues specifically.
What do you consider the top three issues facing the east-side Jordan School District?
Retain our quality teachers through the transition process; restore the balance in our neighborhood schools' populations and re-establish a true feeder system to our schools; we must address the need for school improvement projects.
What three opportunities do you see in forming a new district?
We have a unique opportunity to create a school district that truly reflects the community and one that will serve us well into the future.
This is an opportunity to evaluate the programs that have been offered by the Jordan School District and determine those that are truly beneficial to the student and those that are simply tradition and need to be eliminated or modified to better suit the new district.
How big of a priority is it to update and improve the conditions of east-side buildings and schools?
The safety and well being of the students is of vital importance. Many of the east-side schools are in serious need of improvement. This needs to be a priority for the new district. This was a major reason for splitting from the Jordan School District and needs to be addressed in a timely manner.
What is your stand on having to raise taxes to cover costs?
If we want to provide quality education and nice facilities, there will be a need for tax adjustments to cover such costs from time to time. Resources must be well managed, and any tax increases need to be carefully evaluated before any decision to increase taxes is made.
Name: William E. Rappleye
Occupation: President and CEO, Draper Chamber of Commerce
Education: AA Graphic Art, LaSalle University; BA Business Administration equivalency, Telecommunications Corporate management program
Why are you running for office?
We have a chance to create a new type of school district that can have a flat, more efficient administrative structure. By pursuing this flat model, we can trim administrative costs and thus have more money for teacher pay and student programs. My corporate experience gives me the organizational expertise to lead the development of this type of high performance district.
What do you consider the top three issues facing the east-side Jordan District?
1. Money is an issue and the asset split figures are not even firmed up yet.
2. Higher level parental involvement.
3. Aging schools and the neglected need for new schools in Draper.
What do you see as three opportunities in forming a new district?
1. A blank sheet to design the new district.
2. Forming partnerships with the teachers, parents and community.
3. Forming an administrative structure that is flat and more bottom driven.
How big of a priority is it to update and improve the conditions of the east-side buildings and schools?
Years of neglect have caused this issue, and it will take creativity to bring these schools back to an acceptable level of condition and function.
What is your stand on raising taxes to cover costs?
Raising taxes is one option. I would support this only after all options for saving money through a flat administrative model, and less costly methods for school maintenance and construction have been explored and rejected. Private sector sponsorships are another avenue to study.
Name: Paul McCarty
Occupation: College professor and school district office administrator
Education: University of California at Berkeley (BA); St. Mary's College (Elem/Sec Teaching Credentials); Brigham Young University (MA & EdD-counseling & educational psychology)
City: Draper
Why are you running for office?
I have over 30 years experience in making sure children's education gets what it needs to succeed. I have been an elementary and secondary teacher, principal and district office administrator. I believe the key to our new district success is our strong, educated parent base.
What do you consider the top three issues facing the east-side Jordan School District?
Mutual respect and trust among all stakeholders in our children's education. This includes parents, teachers, school board members, district staff and administration. Teacher salaries and benefits with appreciation for their dedication to our children. Construction of a new middle school in Draper.
What do you see as three opportunities in forming a new district?
A. Better utilization of our parents and teachers.
B. Empower local schools with increased community site-based decision making
C. Downsize district office personnel and purpose to that of support to schools instead of the mandating programs.
How big of a priority is it for you to update and improve the conditions of east-side buildings and schools?
he school's physical environment can be considered "another teacher." It can motivate students, enhance learning and reduce disruptive behavior. The update and renovation of east-side buildings and schools to at least acceptable standards, such the need at Alta High School, is of the highest priority.
What is your stand on raising taxes to cover costs?
I say "No" to raise taxes. We must explore and implement alternative ways to cover costs and funding education. We are in the best-case scenario with a high-educated parent base and equally impressive business community resources. I will strive to form more school-businesses partnerships locally and with national businesses for alternative funding sources.
Name: Steve Chambers
Occupation: Customer service manager for Medicare Part D Plans at RxAmerica.
Education: Utah State University, BA Business
City: Draper
Why are you running for office?
Children and parents in our community deserve better than what they've become accustomed to. The vote to split the school district allows the residents a unique opportunity to start with a clean slate and effect change. I wanted to give back to the community and felt my skills and experience managing large scale implementations in the business world will help this process be successful.
What do you consider the top three issues facing the east-side Jordan School District?
1. Managing the change and morale concerns that tend to come from these major changes.
2. Prioritizing the needs of the various communities within the new district.
3. Unification of thoughts.
What three opportunities do you see in forming a new district?
Change is the biggest opportunity. The ability to change the rules and do things differently than they've been done in the past. The opportunity to improve the facilities that are in such desperate need of repair would be next. Finally, the opportunity to create the best district in the state.
How big of a priority is it to update and improve the conditions of east-side buildings and schools?
Many of the east-side schools have been neglected while money has been spent on the west side of the valley to meet the demands of a rapidly expanding population. This was one of the driving forces behind the split. I feel our children deserve better.
What is your stand on raising taxes to cover costs?
In order to make sure all the needs of the new district are covered, the Board must be creative in its thinking and will need to consider all options of funding. This may include raising taxes. Raising taxes is never an easy or popular choice. I believe raising taxes should only be used as a last resort, when absolutely necessary, and only after all other avenues have been explored.