Mr. Mark Ives is one of two candidates running for the remaining seat on the Board of Education.
This year there is a special election on Tuesday, June 19th to fill one remaining seat on the Board of Education. Two candidates are running for this seat. I submitted written questions to each candidate running for the school board. I explained to each that I would run their answers as they submitted them on the Huletts Current. The questions are entirely my own and hopefully you will get a better sense of who the candidate is after reading their responses.
Today, I present Mr. Mark Ives answers to my questions.
Could you please tell us about yourself and why you are running for the school board?
“I am running for the school board because I have a great concern that all children in this district receive a quality education and one that the taxpayer can afford. I think my financial and school board experiences will be helpful to the Whitehall School District. I am a college graduate, with a BS Degree in Accounting. I retired as Director of Medicaid Fraud & Abuse for the Health Department in NYS. I served on the Fort Edward School Board for 17 years in capacities including Financial Chairperson and President of the Board.”
You said that you served on the Fort Edward school board for many years. Could you tell us what you consider to be the successes of your tenure on that school board?
“I am most proud of raising the graduation requirements for High School students from 16 credits to 20 credits. In addition, we required all students to take Regents level courses versus just High School level courses. I am also proud of the fact we required all students athletes to be drug “tested” before they could participate in any sport. They were also randomly tested during the season for further compliance. Finally, I am proud that for 8 (eight) consecutive years, as Chairman of the Finance Committee, we presented a budget to the taxpayer that had no tax increase.”
Most people look back fondly on some aspects of their high-school education. Could you tell us what your favorite book from high school was? Why was it your favorite book and should it be required reading today?
“My favorite book from high school was: The Last of the Mohicans. I would recommend it for reading today because it identifies the challenges of a by-gone era that, remarkably, still exist in our global society today.”
The job market today is a highly competitive one. Should the school district be doing something that it is not already doing or should it be offering additional classes to see that its graduates have the skills and education necessary for success?
“It is apparent to me, with the ever changing global economy, that in order to be successful, most high school students will need to pursue a high school curriculum that would give them access to a college education be it either a two year or four year degree. I feel the school district should offer strong programs focused on today’s job market and encourage all students to do well in these courses as these areas appear to lead to successful careers. I think all school districts need to re-evaluate course offerings to stay current with the changing needs of the student in today’s society.”
I’m sure you wouldn’t be running for the school board if you didn’t care about children. What is the biggest issue that children face today and what realistically can the school board do to address it?
“One of the larger issues and most publicized is “bullying” of students. I think most districts are making a sincere effort to address this issue.
The second biggest issue is how and where do “I” (Average Whitehall Central School District Student) get a job once I graduate from High School. The best option, which I previously stressed, is continuing education. However, not every student has college aspirations. I think the school district needs to provide as much assistance as possible to help these students pursue a field of work that would help them be successful in life. Locally, the students and school districts have access to BOCES. School Districts should always be monitoring BOCES to ensure that current, updated programs, putting the students on track to successful, gratifying careers in today’s global society, are accessible.”
Thank you, Mr. Ives, for taking the time to respond to these questions. I know the readers of the Huletts Current appreciate your responses.