Issue Position: Education & Local Control

Issue Position

Our children are our future, the future of our state, and the future of our country. It is time to support our working teachers by advocating that "No Strings Attached" education block grant funds go directly to local school districts. I am committed to preserving local schools with local control.

Every child deserves the opportunity for a good education. A solid education will help ensure that every child has the opportunity to become all that they choose to be. Local school districts should be required to maintain high "academic" standards for students. Taxpayer dollars should not be spent on mandated administrative functions, but on improving classroom instruction.

Though not many like to take tests, testing is necessary and the only way to know if our teachers and students are being successful in their instruction. Locally-selected, random testing options will prevent teaching for improved scores and will help insure instead that instruction is for the gaining of knowledge.

When serving on the school board, little could make me more frustrated than the amount of time that had to be spent making sure funds were spent in compliance with federal mandates. I could not justify, but could clearly see, the amount of control that federal agencies had in deciding what was best for our local schools. I will work with the Idaho State Department of Education with a goal of returning full local control to our community schools.

Working together we can improve our education system and the impact it makes on the children of Idaho.

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