OPED: Two clear choices for Jeffco School Board
SUBMITTED BY: Linda Sasenick, Jeffco voter
It’s election season for Jeffco Public School Board, with three of five seats up for election. Sadly for the democratic process, the candidate for one of the seats, current board appointee Robin Johnson, is running unopposed. However, the contests for the other two seats offer clear choices.
The two contests are incumbent Sue Marinelli, being challenged by Laura Boggs, and last year’s board appointee, Rick Rush, facing Paula Noonan. (Although the candidates must come from geographical districts, all Jeffco residents vote for all board positions – I believe these candidates are from districts 2 and 5, but, as a voter, it doesn’t matter to me.)
I attended a recent candidate forum to learn more about each candidate’s experience and general philosophies about district leadership. First, I found all four candidates are clearly dedicated professionals, and I really appreciate their stepping up, as volunteers, to be educational leaders. Second, my personal perspective is that the status quo isn’t good enough, and my bias is to support candidates with a focus on fiscal responsibility, looking to do more with what’s available.
From my kitchen chair (it’s a mail-in election), I will be voting for Laura Boggs and Rick Rush.
Ms. Boggs and her husband have been deeply involved in Jeffco Public Schools for a number of years. I see her as a demanding business professional and parent, questioning everything, and I believe that perspective will be of tremendous benefit to the district in these times. For instance, in a general discussion about budget, Ms. Boggs champions re-thinking the district – start with what you want the classroom to look like and how it should operate, then build the support for the classroom around those parameters. I personally love this “bottom up” approach; I’ve seen people get so involved with percentage cuts or dollar reduction methodologies, they miss the opportunity to re-evaluate the big picture.
Mr. Rush was appointed last year to fill a board vacancy, and it’s my belief we Jeffco residents are incredibly lucky to have such an accomplished “numbers guy” volunteering for us. Mr. Rush is an actuary whose business is financial risk management. He also was involved with various district committees for years prior to his appointment last year, and besides appreciating his thoughtful approach to problem solving, I want someone who knows numbers inside and out on a board overseeing $700 million in annual operating expenses.
Tough times present challenges and unique opportunities. I believe Jeffco voters who are not satisfied with the status quo have an opportunity to bring a fresh and demanding perspective, along with fiscal responsibility, to the Jeffco school board by voting in candidates Laura Boggs and Rick Rush.
A vote for Sue Marinelli, Robin Johnson, and Paula Noonan is simply a vote for the unions that support more of the same and oppose transparency at the state capitol. Laura Boggs is a successful businesswoman, active in PTA, and sits on the Jeffco Facility Usage Committee. Rick Rush is a successful businessman, current school board member, and sits on the Financial Oversight Committee. Both have the creativity, “out of the box” thinking, and business acumen to navigate Jeffco through the difficult financial maze ahead. The vote couldn’t be clearer if the Hubble zoomed in onto the ballot. It’s Boggs and the Boy for the new leadership needed in Jeffco.
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Well I always like to look at both sides of an issue to the best of my ability. And I have to say that I really like Rick Rush as a board member. I’ve been to several board meetings and study sessions this last year and I like his perspective on many issues. However, his opponent Paula Noonan is an extremely well educated individual and I’ve been to several events where she has been a speaker and she is an extremely entertaining and engaging individual. I have to say that if I just compare them on the basis of their credentials I believe Paula has the upper hand.
Now I’ve never met Laura Boggs but I looked at the website and she is described as a daugher of a school teacher, she holds a degree in business administration and a business woman. On the other hand Sue Marinelli has been a school teacher for 30 years and she has a BA in Psychology and Elementary Education and an MA in Reading. The school board has had to make some tough choices in these difficult economic times but because of wise management of the past the school district has reserves to help them weather the storms of these troubled economic times. In addition, the Jeffco Schools CEO Lorie Gillis has made great strides at improving financial transparency(http://www.jeffcopublicschools.org/financial_transparency/reports.php) during this period.
Perhaps there is an underlying issue in this decision in that Marinelli, Thomas and Noonan are all active demcrocrats in Jefferson County. Personally I’m not one to vote purely on the basis of political affiliation however in this case I prefer to not hold that against them.
Did Marinelli or Rush vote for yet another pay increase for R-1’s parttime employees (teachers) when revenue was down? Did they pressure the Assessor to jack up property values when values were really going down?
Who approved the destruction of Golden High (didn’t we spent a bundle with a massive remodel a couple of decades ago?) and the construction of an entirely new school? Look at East Denver High, South Denver High, West and North. Still in use and cranking out educated kids! Hmmmm. My Dad went to East and he was born in 1916, then I went to East and I was born in 1941.
I think these people are too loose with our bucks. This isn’t the roaring ’20’s last I looked. Thor
Meet Laura Boggs at Liberty On The Rocks (Red Rocks) this Monday, October 19th, at Old Chicago, !45 Union Blvd., Lakewood, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Details at RedRocks.LibertyOnTheRocks.com