Candidate's Statement

By JIM WELSH

I know about schools, am connected to schools, and have proven my commitment to education over and over again. I am experienced in school matters and willing to use my experience to benefit the community.

As a board member my responsibility is to see that every student, regardless of his or her background, who attends Arcata High School or McKinleyville High School gets the kind of education and scholastic experience that they can qualify to enter Humboldt State University, the University of California, or any other advanced training, and be able to succeed when they get there.

I am a teacher; all my adult life I've been a teacher; so I have a teacher's concern for the welfare and the education of students. I have a teacher's concern for the content and quality of the curriculum and of the opportunities available to all students. I have a teacher's wariness of administrators since they often come to problems with a perspective other than that of teachers and students. I have a teacher's affection for and identification with these two high schools.

I know the education system inside-out and upside-down. I know how to get things done within this system. For example, when money gets tight a knee-jerk reaction is to cut things like field trips. But to teach Geology or Biology or Art in an area like ours without field studies would be a mistake and a tragedy. I know enough not to let this happen and I know where to find the money to fund activities like this. None of us know how serious the budget problems will be in the next two years, but I know how to get us through whatever comes without layoffs of teachers and staff and the cutting of programs.

We are the outstanding district in this area, with two equally exemplary high schools. We are the only district without financial trouble; we have just remodeled both schools without raising taxes; we have not had to shut down any school or program. We have the best trained, best paid staff, the newest, most innovative and the most comprehensive programs. Our students perform top in the state by every measure. Our schools run smoothly and there is a cooperative, inter-dependent relationship between administrators and staff.

Why mess with success?

Jim Welsh Incumbent Board Member, NHUHSD