Candidate for
Board Member; Union School District

Questions and Answers with Jim Thylin

Why are you running for School Board?

The early education that the State provides is instrumental in giving our children the best chance to succeed in the future. Union School District is doing an admirable job of educating our students based on test scores. But there are new challenges every day. The world is going to be a much different place when our children begin to find their own way. I have many goals to accomplish in working with an already well-run District, in making sure that we do everything possible to create, develop, and tailor educational programs that will give our children the best chance to succeed in the world 10 years from now

What makes you a good choice for School Board?

I've had lots of work and life experience working with and motivating groups. We need to bring many different groups together to work effectively for our students' education. I've been involved with the board, staff, parents, and residents throughout the District and I believe I can help bring them together in an even better way. The state's budget situation is still shaky and a key way for the District to be sustained through this difficult time is to leverage all of its resources, including its real estate resources. My experience in commercial real estate has given me a good background to help with these discussions.

What do you mean when you say you are "a positive choice"?

I have a positive outlook on life -- I believe that if you look for the good in every situation, you will always find it. There are many challenges ahead, but there are also many great people around the District who can help us meet them. I view the future not just as a challenge, but as a great opportunity. I want to plant shady trees that I know that I will never be able to sit under -- this is my chance to give back to the public educational system I believe in and value, hopefully benefiting future generations of students.

Where would you put special emphasis?

I think it's a shame that enrichment programs like Music, Computers, and Art have been lost. I would like to find ways to leverage all of the District's and community's resources to find ways to restore as many programs like these as possible. I already dedicate time every month as an unpaid volunteer in preparing and teaching art vistas classes in the classroom. This is a great program, but I believe we can find ways to do even more.

What about the recent closure of Athenour and Lone Hill schools?

It was tragic that any neighborhood schools had to be closed. That's why I worked so hard for the passage of Measure G, which would have brought millions of dollars into our District each year. In the face of declining enrollments, the board and District took the difficult step of consolidating schools in order to save money on open schools and allow the other properties to be leased for more revenue to avoid further cuts. I believe we must now try to make the best use of all the District's resources, including these closed properties, to help generate funds that will benefit all of our students. As Chairman of the District's Surplus Property committee, I worked with other members of the community to help the board and District make the best decisions possible in this area.

Why are enrollments declining in Union School District?

There are probably a variety of factors, including the realities of our economy and demographics. It's certainly gotten very expensive for young families to buy homes in our area, so they are moving further away. But there may be other factors as well. When I am elected to the School Board, I will urge my fellow board members to study the other factors that effect our enrollment, including home schooling and private schools, which may be taking students away from public school. Each student that we lose is less lost revenue for the District. There may be ways to more effectively market the positive news of USD's educational performance to bring some students back into the public system.

Why don't we ever hear when these big decisions are begin made?

I believe the District tries to meet the legal requirements for making the community aware through public notices, the District's web page, the Union Bell newsletter, etc. But in these challenging times, an even greater effort on communication is needed. I will work with my fellow board members to reach out more proactively to the entire community by urging the District to improve on the web page and other public outreach. We need to communicate even better to bring all concerned parties together so that they can be informed and can help. I will also make it a point to be available to parents and residents in the schools and in the community. I have often found that discussing things one-on-one is a great way to understand people's needs and discover new possibilities for working together. I want to list to and learn from everyone I can.

What do you think is the highest priority for the School Board and District?

I believe our students' education has been, and must always be, our first priority. We have dedicated teachers, staff and administrators, concerned and committed parents, and many opportunities to bring them together in new and more effective ways. With your help, I believe I can contribute to making that happen.