Browne and Weathers vie for seat representing fast-growing Airway Heights, nearby areas
CHENEY – The race for School Board Director 3 position pits incumbent Henry Browne against James (Sonny) Weathers.
1. Cheney Schools are facing huge growth projects over the next 10 years. This will cause impacts to facilities. What is the best way for the district to address this growth and its impacts to its facilities?
Henry Browne — Growth is a good thing, especially when gradual and measured. The West Plains and especially the city of Airway Heights has seen a growth explosion in the last few years and that trend is expected to continue. The best way to address this growth and be better prepared for impacts to the district’s facilities is to be proactive rather than reactive. It is in this vein that the district hired Davis Demographics to prepare a comprehensive report about expected growth trends over the next 10 years. It is why the district included money for possible school sites in our last bond measure and why additional money is being requested for land in the levy scheduled to be on the November 2019 ballot.
James Weathers — Data should drive decisions. Cheney Public Schools recently hired a demographer to provide it with good data, and now the decisions need to reflect that data. Cheney School District geographically covers more than 375 square miles with four different and disconnected population centers growing at different rates. With a projected 90 percent increase of students in the next 10 years, I believe that we will need schools to be built where the greatest number of students can benefit (e.g. neighborhood schools in the population centers of the district versus schools in between population centers). The challenge will be in uniting a diverse population of registered voters to see value in supporting new facilities that might not directly impact the majority of the district.
2.A. In what ways do you think this growth could lead to changes in the demographics of the student population?
James Weathers — Smart growth will result in a more balanced and equitable demographic outcome that doesn’t stack the deck against disadvantaged population segments. Neighborhood schools located in the population centers they serve often result in students who are more connected to their community and their schools.
Henry Browne — I think the growth could definitely lead to some changes in the demographics of the student population within the district. I see changing demographics as a positive thing for the district and believe we are well placed to embrace those changes.
2.B. How should the district deal with these impacts?
Henry Browne — The district should deal with these impacts by embracing all those within our borders. There is strength in diversity and we can use those strengths to our advantage by becoming a district where parents want their children to attend school precisely because of our diversity.
James Weathers — Since we don’t know how growth will occur until it happens, taking time to keep current in our understanding of the population we serve will help to inform our greatest needs as they arise. Maintaining a good working relationship with city and county officials is essential in having a good read on what demands are forthcoming in order to posture the school district for the best possible outcomes.
3. What role do you think the school board should take in addressing changes coming from growth and from legislation at the state and even federal levels?
James Weathers — The school board should be well versed in defining and resourcing a safe and caring environment where all students learn at high levels and succeed with options for post-secondary pursuits (the Cheney Public Schools mission statement). The school board should put adequate energy and effort into educating legislators and advocating for lawmakers to represent the best interests of local districts. Federal and state money can tend to come with strings attached that sometimes proves to be more of a liability than benefit, so it is imperative that the school board carefully weigh in on all legislation that has the potential to affect our ability to accomplish the mission.
Henry Browne — The school board needs to take an active role in addressing changes coming from growth as well as legislation at the state and federal levels. While the board does not manage the day-to-day operation of the district — that task is delegated to the Superintendent by the Board — the Board still sets the general direction through its policy making authority and function.
John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].
Johns, Swenson contest district that includes new developments around Marshall, Latah Creek
CHENEY – The race for School Board Director 5 position pits incumbent Mitch Swenson against Bill Johns.
1. Cheney Schools are facing huge growth projects over the next 10 years. This will cause impacts to facilities. What is the best way for the district to address this growth and its impacts to its facilities?
Mitch Swenson – We have been making very positive strides to make sure that there are adequate facilities. This is a huge concern for all in our area. The unprecedented growth we are experiencing in our region will continue to put pressure on our school system, thus we will need to continue to search for sites that fit into the areas of need. This process has been underway for quite some time by our school administrators, and I will continue to promote this going forward. Building schools and acquiring appropriate school sites in a timely manner is the best way to stay ahead of the curve.
Bill Johns – The district needs to withdraw the current levy and present one that supplies the needed funds to buy land for two new elementaries, a new middle school and a new high school as indicated by the just released demographics study, instead of the 3,000 Chrome Books, a bus facility, clocks, laptops, conference room upgrades and vehicles as in this levy. Growth is used in the mailings you just received promoting the levy but this $4.2 million levy has little to do with growth needs and should be voted down.
2.A. In what ways do you think this growth could lead to changes in the demographics of the student population?
Bill Johns – Looking at the wages paid by much of the new job producers such as Amazon paying just above the minimum wage, the children will come from lower-income families. The steady rise in assessed valuation and accompanying increased taxes are forcing many out of the single family market and into apartments. Our free and reduced meal rate will go above the about 50 percent mark which is the benchmark for many government programs. The growth rate may slow as single family prices and rents rise.
Mitch Swenson – As our school district grows we will see our district become more and more diverse. I believe strongly that this promotes even greater opportunities for our teachers and staff to embrace all our kids. The Cheney School District has a mantra that I whole heartedly support, “All kids means all kids.”
2.B. How should the district deal with these impacts?
Mitch Swenson – I concur that the current school administration and teaching staff continue on the path of welcoming and working hard to guarantee success for all kids in our district, both kids new to our district and those whom have long history of family in Cheney Public Schools has been the norm. I fully agree with and commend Rob Roettger, our superintendent for Cheney Public Schools, for whom this has been an overriding goal that embraces growth for all our kids in our area.
Bill Johns – The district budgeted for land purchases in 2015/w2016 for $500,000, in 2016/17 for $500,000 and in 2017/18 for $750,000 but did not use the money when prices were lower. Now comes the crisis of growth indicated by the recent demographers report, but we do not have the needed land. This proposed $4.2 million levy needs to be turned around and used for land purchases.
3. What role do you think the school board should take in addressing changes coming from growth and from legislation at the state and even federal levels?
Bill Johns – The school board needs to request variations from the growth boundaries for school sites. New schools need to be designed frugally with an emphasis on academics over extracurricular activities. State law in conflict with federal law should not be enacted locally jeopardizing federal funding such as the recently board-passed policy allowing marijuana to be infused to children in school facilities, events and even in buses.
Mitch Swenson – Currently our school board and those whom have served before have done an outstanding job of addressing and as much as possible planning for our district’s future. Working with demographers and local experts, the Cheney School District has been positioning itself for this potential exponential growth. All the members of the school board annually meet with legislators in Olympia to pass along what the relevant issues are being dealt with locally. This continued presence and communication makes sure our elected officials in Olympia and beyond hear how policy affects our local school district, administration, teachers, staff, parents and most importantly of all our children.
John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].
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