Kari Bake: Candidate, San Juan School Board, District 2

About half of the students in our district are proficient in Math and Science. At one of our schools only eight percent of the students are proficient in Math and Science. I love San Juan County and I know we can do better than this. My name is Kari Bake and I am running for school board because our children’s future is important to me. I am passionate about education, and I feel that I can be a voice for our children.
I have four daughters in the elementary school and my husband teaches at the middle school and the high school. I am currently the chair of the School Community Council at the elementary school, and I help in the school three days a week. I know what is going on in our schools, and I have a vested interest in what occurs there.
Children are the future parents, leaders and business owners of our world. I will put the students’ needs first. We need to give them the tools necessary to be contributing members of society as adults. They must have someone willing to think deeply about their needs and then be a voice in their behalf.
Our teacher’s needs must also be a top priority. Our teachers are the district’s greatest asset because they directly affect the children. I will support successful teachers through pay and benefits. I will include them in more district conversations as I believe their input is very valuable. We have so many awesome teachers who I respect deeply, and I thank all teachers for their service.
I will work to inform the public about issues being addressed in the district and will consider all public input. I believe that with input from a whole community rather than just 5 board members we will find better solutions.
I will not vote to increase property tax during this four year term because we have had a 40% increase since 2006 and our economy is too fragile. I understand that a tax increase may not affect families much but it greatly impacts business, and the majority of our funding comes from businesses. As a district we can find a way to “live within our means.”
Now is the time for a new approach. I have not been on the school board so I am not tied to old, outdated ideas. I am not partial to previous policies or procedures. I have no political ties to anyone or anything. This allows me to think outside the box and bring new ideas to the table. If we elect the same people we will most likely get the same results, and 8% proficiency is not what we are looking for.
My educational philosophy is that the most important part of school is learning how to learn. Our first priority must be literacy because without it learning is very difficult. I believe children then need a basic foundation in math, science, social studies, and technology. I feel that we need to offer a variety of subjects for our children so they can discover areas in which they have interest and can succeed. Success and interest foster a desire to learn more and a feeling that what is being learned is useful. With technology today children have the ability to learn almost anything if they know how to find the information they need.
We have the opportunity now to improve our education system. You have the opportunity to elect someone who will work hard to find new ways to improve the education of your children and grandchildren. I would like to be that voice. Let’s try a fresh approach! I would appreciate your vote for Kari Bake on November 6. Thank you.

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