JI: Why are you running for a school board position? What expertise, work experience or talents could you bring to the board?

TW: The last 3-1/2 years on the board have been both educational and rewarding for me. I was truly amazed at how involved running a school district is on many different levels. Now that I have that experience and feel I've made it through the learning curve, I'd like to continue working on the board to help lead it through the next four years.

JI: Why do you think that proposed referendums have failed in each of the past two years? Do you see a referendum passing during the next four years, or should the district rely on grants, increased tax levies, or other revenue sources?

TW: Property taxes have already gone up substantially in the last several years. Many people felt they are already taxed too much. If there are monies available through creative budgeting or other revenue sources, we need to be fiscally responsible and seek out those opportunities. We already made many cuts that saved the district hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. But if enrollment doesn’t increase and state funding declines, I feel a referendum could be warranted.

JI: If you had to cut from the school district’s budget, for what would you decrease funding?

TW: What should be cut from the school's budget is always a difficult decision to make. It is my feeling that anytime a cut needs to be made, it should be in areas that are furthest away from the kids and have the least affect on their education.

JI: With the growing number of students in the Jordan district, how do you feel the district and school board should plan for expansion?

TW: Planning for expansion? The district needs to have a plan in place for what it will look like 10, 20, and 30-plus years down the road. We currently have a substantial amount of land that holds our three schools. However, the board needs to determine if it is enough to support another school and if not, where can the land be purchased from. These discussions have already begun to take place within the board.

JI: How would you rate the school district’s and school board’s communication with the public? What do you think works and what would you like to see improved?

TW: Over the last several years, we’ve made great strides improving our communication with the public, which I have been totally supportive of. The Journalist newsletter mailed to every household in the district has had a total makeover to show details of what is going on in the district. The district's Web site continues to be enhanced. A new video and sound system was purchased to better the quality of the board meetings on cable.

JI: What do you see as the other major issues facing the district?

TW: I don't see any other major issues other than what was discussed above.