Elections Database
Tacoma school district director position 4« Go back
Kurt Miller
Residence: Tacoma
Contact: 253-952-8850
E-mail: electkurtmiller@gmail.com
Occupation: Porgram Director

Experience: • 1999 - Current -- Served on numerous school district and community committees • 1999 -- Current Chairing school district bond & levy campaigns • 2003- Current Serving on the Tacoma School Board • 2007-2009 Serving on the Tacoma College Success Network for two years. • 2005 --2009 Tacoma 360, a systemic approach to bring community resources to students and families

Education: 14+ years of education

What do you see as the three top issues facing the district?
Higher student achievement Providing extended learning opportunities Students not being provided necessary resources due to budget issues

What measures would you support to keep the district living within its means?
Currently, the district has 2 effective measures in place. Because personnel costs are responsible for over 86% of the district budget a committee was formed that meets weekly to discuss the various job openings and decide if the positions are vital and need to be filled or eliminated or leave vacant for a determined amount of time. The second is Sound Partnership, which assists in controlling health care costs for district staff.

What more should the district do to improve student achievement?
The district should ask the community and staff that question since they are the ones that are affected by the type of education our children receive. The district is about to embark on a strategic plan process that will include the various stakeholders. The main question will be; where should the district be in 5 years and how can it get there. Student achievement begins in kindergarten and continues until they graduate.

Personal Statement:
During the past 6 years I have advocated for more transparency in the selection of the superintendent and the workings of the district. The district must be answerable to the citizens of Tacoma by asking them to be more involved in the decisions made that affects our students. I strongly believe that the school district must encourage collaborations with community groups and agencies that can provide support systems in order to increase student achievement.

Stan Smith
Residence: Tacoma
Contact: 253-503-1412
E-mail: wsmith@wamail.net
Website: www.stan4schools.com
Occupation: Retired U.S. Army, stay at home dad

Experience: North End Neighborhood Council 2004 -- Present Tacoma Area Commission on Disabilities 2006 - Present Tacoma School District Consolidation Advisory Committee 2007 Co-Author City of Tacoma Americans with Disabilities Act Self Evaluation and Transition Plan 2007 - 2008 Adopted 2008

Education: B.S., Psychology, Seattle Pacific University. 2002

What do you see as the three top issues facing the district?
Children deserve an education in a safe academic environment. Students must be protected from bullying and the adults they interact with during their school day must possess sound character. Tacoma has a culturally and economically diverse community. Students from all backgrounds deserve every opportunity to achieve academic success. Teachers currently choose from two math programs to teach math curriculum. This creates disconnect for students as they learn mathematics from grade to grade.

What measures would you support to keep the district living within its means?
Given the current economic climate, I would be willing to discuss all available options with members of the community, district staff and students. I will not be afraid to ask the difficult questions so that we can keep budget cuts as far away from academic success as possible. Budget cuts that directly impact the classroom are not an option.

What more should the district do to improve student achievement?
There are a number of small changes the school district can make to achieve lasting improvements without enormous cost. This includes unifying the district math curriculum and ensuring that current school district policies are being followed

Personal Statement:
As School Director, I promise you that prior to making any decisions, I will always ask myself one simple question, "Will this decision be good enough for my own children?" If the answer to that question is no, I will always respond, "Why should it be good enough for anyone else's children?" The children of Tacoma are our future and we must give them the best education possible.