News - Local News

POSTED: Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009

Doctor and business owner vie for Bellingham School Board

BELLINGHAM - A Bellingham doctor and a longtime educator are vying for the Bellingham School Board position 5 seat, one of two open in the November election.

Scott Stockburger, a family physician, is running against Michael Jay, the president of Educational Systemics, Inc., an educational technology company in Bellingham.

Stockburger's two daughters attend Bellingham schools, and Jay's grandson recently graduated from Squalicum High School while living with him.

Neither candidate has been elected to public office, but Jay ran against current board member Ann Whitmyer in 2007.

The candidates answered questions about the weaknesses and challenges of the district and why they're running for office.

Question: Why are you running?

Jay: He is passionate about education. With 25 years of experience, he thinks he can positively impact the district. He is running on four platforms: open communication with the community, focus learning on individual students, protect neighborhood schools and provide fiscally responsible governance. He would like to see more collaboration between schools and community resources, including colleges and the city and county councils, about how facilities can be used and programs can be implemented in ways that benefit all parties involved. "Responsibility for children doesn't just fall on schools," he said.

Stockburger: "Like a lot of people, I'm worried about what happens to schools if budget cuts continue." He was originally asked to run by friends but became more interested when he realized current board members don't have small children in the schools. He also believes it's important to have school board decisions made by a unanimous vote. "I ultimately think the most important thing for anyone elected to the school board is to build consensus and reflect the views of the community."

He recently changed his duties at St. Joseph Hospital to make time to serve on the board; however, he has not attended any board meetings in the last few months.

Question: What are the weaknesses of the district?

Jay: He believes there needs to be two-way communication between the school board and the community so people can discuss issues with the board rather than just provide input. "What is so critical to success in our schools is communication with the community. ... I don't think people are trying to hide anything, I just don't think they're being accessible."

He also believes the school board should help educate the community about education issues, including school finance. He sees limitations in the district's technology, both in a lack of availability for community members in schools and in how it's used districtwide. "We need to make sure it's a safe environment, but we also need to make sure there's easy access."

Stockburger: "I'm very concerned about a lack of an alternative curriculum for non-traditional and at-risk students, especially online courses." He believes by offering an online program, some students will be drawn back to the district, and specialized courses can be offered districtwide.

He also believes planning for new school locations needs to be done in close cooperation with city and county planning departments. He sees the Aldrich Road school site as a poor choice and that "Sudden Valley is more important." He also thinks communication about budget cuts and teacher layoffs needs to improve to keep stress away from teachers. "Preserving teacher jobs is a top priority for me. ... There's still a lot of fat in the school budget."

Question: Many education leaders in the state expect current budget issues to continue, if not worsen, over the next couple of school years. How will you help ensure that all students are being served while trimming expenses? (answers excerpted from questionnaires sent to candidates)

Jay: Although the District does an excellent job of putting monies to work in service of learning and teaching, this requires on-going vigilance and an eye to increasing efficiency. We have to be relentless in pursuing the State of Washington to ensure pK-12 education is fully funded rather than at the 70 percent levels that presently exist. ... Key to my campaign is the focus on the individual rather than the institution. We have the beginnings of an infrastructure that allows us to hold ourselves accountable to address the needs of every child and not just a population of children. A community is best judged by how it supports its children and Bellingham has been very supportive. It will be my responsibility as a School Board member to protect that investment and ensure we get quality for every dollar spent."

Stockburger: "In addition to trimming expenses, we must also identify other sources of funding for the school district. Even if a new income for the district can be obtained, we will still face spending cuts for the near future. To protect students and ensure that all students are being served, we must recognize that different students and different schools have different needs. It will be necessary to focus resources on schools and students who are not meeting grade level expectations, schools without passing WASL scores, schools with more students on the free school lunch program. As new curricula are being phased in, as all-day kindergarten is phased in, as we make choices about buildings and infrastructure, we must first care for the most vulnerable students in our district."

ABOUT THE CANDIDATES

Michael Jay

Age: 48.

Family: Wife Mary LeDonne, two grown children and a grandson, Cameron, 18, who lived with them for several years.

Education: Bachelor's degree from University of California, Santa Cruz; master's in education from UC Berkeley. Also has California teaching credentials in physical and biological sciences from San Jose State University.

Work experience: President of Educational Systemics in Bellingham; former high school science teacher and longtime consultant and manager of various educational software and technology companies, including Apple Computers, Inc.

Civic experience: Squalicum High School PTSA president for the 2008-09 school year, former member of the Bellingham Technology Planning Committee and the Parent's Advisory Committee to the Superintendent.

Web site: jay4education.org.

Scott Stockburger

Age: 45.

Family: Wife Andrea McMillin and daughters Sophia, 11, and Clara, 7.

Education: Bachelor's degree from Hampshire College; medical degree from University of Arkansas College of Medicine.

Work experience: Family doctor with Stockburger Family Medicine and a member of the medical staff of St. Joseph Hospital. Has also worked for Sea Mar Community Health Center in Bellingham and Area Health Education Center and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Arkansas.

Civic experience: Has served on boards with St. Paul's Episcopal and Christ Episcopal churches; Lowell, Happy Valley and Fairhaven PTA/PTSA; Family Medicine Executive Committee, St. Joseph Hospital.

Web site: stockburgerforschoolboard.org.

ABOUT THE POSITION

Each of the candidates is vying for the Bellingham School Board Director Position 5, which is a volunteer position and represents all of the Bellingham School District.

Whoever wins the race would become one of five members of the Bellingham School Board, which sets the district's budget, creates policies and votes on resolutions affecting the district's 10,000 students and hundreds of staff.