The Anchorage Daily News asked candidates for the April 2 election to the Anchorage School Board to answer a series of questions on issues facing those bodies. We’re publishing select responses daily. The answers were fact-checked when facts were cited and edited for spelling, grammar and writing style. Go here to see candidates answers to all the questions. For Assembly candidate surveys, click here.
Q: Name two things the Anchorage School District does well and two things you think the school district needs to improve. As a school board member, what would you do about the two areas of improvement?
SEAT A
Margo Bellamy
Does well: Focus on world language and language immersion, parent choice. Need to improve: Focus on equity and the barriers to students; more student-centered approach to alternative program options.
Kai Binkley Sims
The district’s ability to provide a variety of accessible choices to meet the community’s demand for optional education is done well. From STEM programs to immersion school, parents are able to find something that fits the needs of their children. The district is good at forming partnerships within the community to provide services. For improvements, I would like to see a reduction in the amount of standardized testing. Another area for improvement is in the way ASD communicates to parents.
SEAT B
Starr Marsett
Two things ASD does well is our Middle College which provides students the opportunity to receive duel credit. Graduating from high school and also the possibility of an associates degree from UAA, and our offering of over 130 alternative programs. Two items to work on are reading proficiency and keeping our classroom sizes small.
David Nees
ASD does well at employing people both as their employees and as contractors. ASD has been investing for decades in modernizing facilities, stimulating the construction industry and is one of the largest employers in Anchorage, which stimulates the local economy.This focus on facilities seems to have detracted from the educational mission, with poor results in reading and math for most students. I want the ASD to refocus on its core business—educating all students.
Ronald Stafford did not respond to the survey.