Candidates for District 911 School Board, Cambridge City Council share their goals.
What will candidates do if elected?
Those running for District 911 School Board and Cambridge City Council seats talked about just that during a candidates forum held on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008. The event took place at the Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Cambridge. It will be followed by a second forum on Thursday, Oct. 23 at the same place, which will feature those running for county commissioner seats, as well as state positions.
Candidates discussed issues such as Highway 95 congestion, a possible community center, top issues, rewarding teachers for student achievement, the No Child Left Behind Act, and classroom enhancements.
Present were city council candidates Bob Shogren, John Klossner, Joe Morin, Lisa Iverson and Joseph Brown; and District 911 candidates Phil Rodriguez, Anne Nelson, Gary Hawkins, Jeanette Polzin, Stuart Hazard, Darcy Winsor and John Carlson.
Serving as moderator was Bob Edstrom of Cambridge State Bank. The event was organized by the Cambridge Area Chamber of Commerce.
City council candidate questions
WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE ISSUES?
For Bob Shogren, his top three priorities are taxes, economic development and rail – with Highway 95 running a close fourth. Shogren pointed out that since he joined the council the tax rate in the city has been steadily decreasing, and this year was held to zero. He also aims to continue to attract businesses as they provide a good tax base. "If we don't get passenger rail, we would be passing up such a huge economic development opportunity," said Shogren.
Taxes are the number one issue for John Klossner, followed by Highway 95 congestion and commuter rail. He believes that economic development and either passenger or commuter rail will bring additional money into the city.
"Taxes are the main thing people are upset with," said Joe Morin. He noted that the current city council (on which he served as a member for several years) has brought them down through a concentrated effort, although it hasn't been easy. He thinks that traffic along Highway 95 is getting better. If the city can bring in more economic development, such as Lowe's and Kohl's, taxes will go down.
Lisa Iverson thinks it's important to ask community members what they think is important and what the issues are. She agrees that the city needs more economic development. "We need to sell our city," she said. She also hopes to battle drug use and crime.
"My goal would be to lower property taxes in half within five years," said Joe Brown. The taxes are a turn-off to people considering a move into Cambridge, he pointed out. He also thinks that the lack of entertainment is a huge issue, and the lack of it leads to other problems. He also hopes to increase the number of local jobs.
HOW SHOULD THE CITY HANDLE HIGHWAY 95?
Brown agrees that the city's current plan to widen it is a good option. He also suggested cutting off access onto Highway 95 from other streets, such as Emerson. As the worst congestion is caused by the rail tracks, Brown suggested considering a bridge or rerouting the tracks altogether.
Iverson isn't sure she's yet heard all the options, and thinks the answer lies with community members.
Morin praised the work done last year by the Highway 95 Task Force which studied various options and reached a conclusion. He agrees that widening it is the best and cheapest option. He also stresses that people should take alternate routes through town, including taking advantage of Opportunity Boulevard.
"Widening the road gets you the most bang for your buck," said Klossner. Other options, such as an underpass, may be appropriate for the future. He pointed out the city needs to balance the hassle or drivers with the benefit to retailers along the busy stretches.
Shogren pointed out the roadway is managed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and they're ultimately responsible for fixing it. He noted that the city has worked with MnDOT on the timing of the lights on Highway 95, and worked to improve traffic flow by offering alternate routes, such as the Garfield Street extension. He noted that an underpass needs to be looked at as a possible solution.
DO YOU SUPPORT A COMMUNITY CENTER JOINT VENTURE WITH THE YMCA?
"It's a good idea," said Klossner. His only concern at this time is how much the city would be responsible for paying.
Shogren agreed that it is a good idea and would encourage the partnership. "It's a good alternative instead of the city having to come up with all the money."
Morin also feels that a YMCA would be a good fit in the community.
Iverson, too, supports it, and thinks it would help people get fit.
"A YMCA is exactly what I was looking for to keep people occupied," said Brown.
School board candidate questions
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT CHALLENGE FACING THE DISTRICT?
Phil Rodriguez believes the biggest challenge is funding. He noted that 16 years ago the district had small class sizes, a gifted and talented program, and foreign languages in elementary school. But four times since 1991, the district has had a 0% increase in its state funding. "As a result of this, we've had to cut every year," he said. He vowed to go to the legislature to fight for school funding.
Above all, it's about students and their future in a global economy, noted Anne Nelson. She pointed out that the school district must pay for mandates from the federal government. She will push for alternative delivery methods, as traditional methods have not changed over time.
Gary Hawkins agreed that the biggest challenge is funding, yet with the markets tanking he doesn't know how the district can ask people for more money. "We need a stable funding position for Cambridge-Isanti," he said.
Jeanette Polzin stresses that the district could save money on energy costs, and urges that the district look at alternative methods. A school district in Pipestone, Minn. installed a wind generator, and now creates so much energy that it's sold back to the community.
Stuart Hazard stressed funding adequately and funding equity. He pointed out that federal mandates for special education have never been fully funded by the federal government as they are supposed to be.
Darcy Winsor, too, pointed towards funding and subsequent cuts.
John Carlson believes the district needs to become more agile in order to adapt to the reductions he believes will continue to come.
IS THE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT IN NEED OF REFORM?
Carlson believes the act was part of a shotgun approach commonly followed by the federal government. He thinks it is the responsibility of people now to tell the government what is really needed. "It needs to be reformed," he said.
Winsor agreed, pointing out it doesn't factor in English as a Second Language or Special Education students, but sets the same goals for every one.
Hazard doesn't think tests address all the problems students are facing.
Polzin doesn't believe in standardized testing, but favors individuals being tested throughout the year to measure progress. "Tests once a year don't help students," she said.
Hawkins thinks how the tests given show success and failure needs to be re-evaluated.
Nelson believes the act is demoralizing for students, teachers and administrators, as it doesn't take into account progress individuals students have made. "It is unrealistic to believe that 100% of the student body will be 100% proficient," she said. "The No Child Left Behind Act treats all schools equally, and in this country we are all different."
Rodriguez pointed out student achievement and progress varies, and thus standards should take that into account.
DO YOU SUPPORT ASKING VOTERS TO APPROVE A LEVY REFERENDUM?
All the candidates agreed that a levy referendum is important and should be supported.
SHOULD TEACHERS BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR STUDENT PERFORMANCE?
Rodriguez thinks that they should, although he pointed out the difficulty in applying standards to special education instructors. He supports Q Comp, and the idea of paying teachers for what they accomplish.
The biggest problem with this type of system, according to Nelson, is how to measure progress. Yet paying for performance is a system that works well in other professions.
Hawkins doesn't think it is fair to reward one teacher over another based on how well their students do.
"I believe that teachers are accountable, but I believe parents are too," said Polzin.
Hazard pointed out that people tend to criticize teachers, but he thinks the administrators need to be held accountable.
Winsor agreed that parents should be involved, and thinks that students should be evaluated.
Carlson thinks that every teacher wants every student to achieve, and feels it's part of their job. He doesn't think a teacher should be punished for getting a bad student.
HOW WOULD YOU GET CONTRACTS SETTLED?
Candidates all stressed that sitting down and talking it out with the negotiating groups would settle the contracts. As part of the district's current negotiating team, Rodriguez declined to answer.
IF YOU COULD ADD TO OR ENHANCE THE SCHOOL CURRICULUM, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
Carlson would enhance the basics rather than add anything.
Winsor believes the district already offers a wide variety of programs, but would enhance what it current has. She'd also like to see programs such as band that were cut last year added back in.
Hazard would add back what has been cut, and would add more AP classes.
Polzin thinks the district has a good variety of classes already, and would enhance the basic programs like math, reading and English.
Hawkins would make sure that physical education isn't dropped once students reach high school. He pointed out he's also involved in a program at the middle school called "Real Men Read," as well as a skateboarding program where kids walk one mile to the park.
Nelson agreed that she'd like to bring back the music programs that were cut. She'd also like to offer more foreign language classes at the elementary level.
Rodriguez would like to enhance math and science classes. He pointed out that 30% of all Minnesota graduates require remedial classes in math and science when they reach college.
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