Political Philosophy for Keith Gainey

Candidate for
Governing Board Member Term Ending 2000; Mojave Unified School District

Although half of my school years were spent in other school districts, I experienced much of what MUSD students are experiencing today. When the subject comes up, I'm still proud to say, "I grew up in California City".

Having lived in California City while attending Joshua (Jr. High) and then Mojave High School, I understand local issues like, busing students and temporary classrooms from a student's perspective.

I have also gained an understanding of what the parents in California City have been struggling with for years. The need for a High School in their City. Students endure each day losing valuable time and, like myself, have no idea of what it is like attend High School in their City.

There is a current need and near future need for additional space at the elementary level, in addition to the need for improvements to existing facilities in Mojave. The time has come for the district to re-invest in our children, their future and their education.

I believe that it is just as important for us, in Mojave, to support California City in this endeavor as it has been to California City to sustain Mojave campuses for all these years.

As an athlete at Mojave High, I saw that, for many students, the academic + athletic equation was the answer to continued education. Extra-curricular activities are the glue that holds students interest in the educational system. Many students look forward to activities that allow them to bond with friends and to the school through individual and group accomplishment.

A diverse offering of these programs keep kids in school and allows the district to educate them. Education may be the livelihood of the district, but it is not what students live for. For many students, education is the most valuable by-product of extra-curricular activities.

I also know, and understand the uncertain direction that many local students experience after graduation. I had no clear direction after high school. I worked locally and coached the Junior Varsity football team for two years, before realizing that I was being left behind, and needed to make a decision.

I attended Antelope Valley College and played football for two years, then received an athletic scholarship to Graceland College (Iowa) and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration.

Guidance counselors, in assisting students prepare for life after high school, can not possibly direct students who have no idea of what they want to do. The entire curriculum must help students find and focus on their future. It is important for all students to have a goal, a dream, an ambition that they are working toward with the support and teaching of the school district.

It is equally important for teachers to know all their students hope for the future in order to provide examples in the instruction that they can identify with. Students personal goals for the future are constantly changing because of what they learn and how they internalize that information. The core lesson does not have to change for each student, but each student must be able to recognize how the lesson applies to their dream. For me, this is the essence of the phrase, "Teaching is the profession that makes all other professions possible".

We cannot be praised for the success stories of our district without sincere acknowledgment of those that we have failed.

Professionally, I know that all things have a cost, and have learned to look at issues in terms of the cost / benefit relationship. The Mojave Unified School District is a multi-million dollar per year business, and it is the duty of the school board, and the administration, to ensure that every dollar received benefits the educational development of the students.

To this end, I favor positive changes that make sense in terms of the economics as well as the intended result. I like multiple bids, and firm, fixed-price contracts with timelines and milestones to track progress.

When I hear words, "natural attrition" in school board meetings, I want to see the rate on paper, with an explanation of the assumptions made to calculate "natural attrition". When I hear the words, "economies of scale", I want to see the calculation, on paper, explaining the break-even point, a list of the factors that will positively or negatively influence the scale, and the plan for achieving the break-even point.

Also, in terms of business, it's time to realize that education is a service industry in which students are the customers. I believe that focusing costs on customer service is the key to ensuring customer satisfaction and creating the benefit of an environment that stimulates learning. Kids, who can't wait to go to school, will learn.

It is the districts responsibility to create that environment for the students. I have seen this type of environment, first hand, and know that it takes time, effort and a true commitment from the school board, administration, faculty, staff, and community. It cannot be achieved or even coexist in an environment where the employees would rather leave than speak their mind, or are too concerned with loosing their job to focus on the welfare of the students.