Reynolds School District races

One school board position is contested

The Outlook asked candidates for East County school boards to complete a questionnaire with biographical information and details about their candidacy. These are the responses for Reynolds School District candidates:

Position 4

Jake Woolsey vs. Joe Teeny

Jake Woolsey

Age: 19

Occupation: Real Estate Broker, RE/MAX Equity Group

City of residence and years in city: Fairview/Troutdale, OR- 13 years

Hobbies/ interests/ community involvement: Helping community members buy and sell real estate, Volunteer coach for Reynolds Little League, Classic Cars, and Travel

Link to a website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jake-Woolsey-Reynolds-School-Board-Candidate/180666108747185

Questions

Why are you running, and if you are the incumbent, what do you think you have achieved during your time on the school board?

During my time as a student in the RSD, I hated how the school board seemed so unapproachable. It seemed like a stuffy group of people who weren’t cooperative with their own constituents. I aim to change that. I want people to come to meetings, and bring ideas. We need to foster a culture of collaboration, not confrontation. I want to breathe new, young, and enthusiastic life into the district by making it a place where people want to be, and are proud to call their own.

What do you offer that your opponent(s) doesn’t (don’t)?

As a Reynolds High School class of 2012 graduate, I spent close to 10 thousand hours in our schools over the past 7 years. That gives me a unique perspective over what day to day operations look like. I have countless working relationships with teachers, students, and other staff members that Mr. Teeny just doesn’t have. I have a brother that attends RHS, and my mom is a secretary at Walt Morey. Bottom line is that I am invested in this district, and I will stop at nothing to see it succeed.

What is your political and budget expertise?

I picked up years of negotiation skills from negotiating my allowance with my parents. Although we came close a few times, I am happy to report that we always avoided a strike. I live life by the golden rule of “Treat others as you would want to be treated.” I stick to a budget in my personal life. I pride myself by helping folks with the biggest transaction they will ever make, buying a house. I am a vested community member that wants the best for our kids and tax dollars.

What are the three biggest issues facing your district and how do you intend to address them?

Our biggest challenges we need to navigate are lack of funding, closing the achievement gap, and re-creating a culture of collaboration between our board and staff. These are all solved by making schools a place where people want to be. It starts by repairing relationships and staff enjoying where they work and who they work for. We need to embrace technology as our future and implement systems that make our district more efficient and cost effective, and prepare our kids to use that technology.

Are there any particular initiatives you would like to see the district undertake?

I question how safe our schools really are. With our changing world, we need to take extra measures to create a safe place for our staff and students. I want to implement a safe entry and exit program to ensure that everyone is safe. I know our schools are lacking after school programs, and I want to work with the Reynolds Education Foundation to secure funding to grow them. I also want middle school sports back. This helps grow our high school sports programs, and also strengthens community involvement through volunteer coaching and spectating.

Joe Teeny

Age: 42 years old

Occupation: Internet/Fleet Sales Manager Alan Webb Nissan

Years in city: Lived in Troutdale 12.5 years

Hobbies/interests/community involvement: Enjoy Fishing, Target Shooting, Church, Boy Scouts

Website: facebook.com/TeenyForReynoldsSchoolBoard

Why are you running, and if you are the incumbent, what do you think you have achieved during your time on the school board?

I am running to continue the work that we have begun over the past four years. Reynolds had a leadership and financial crisis even before the economic downturn in 2008. We have turned that around. We have reviewed and revised all district policies, established efficiency and monitoring practices and stabilized the district while maintaining a full school year, half time PE, Career technical education opportunities as well as advanced placement and many other options. Now our main focus is able to turn to increasing student achievement and graduation rates.

What do you offer that your opponent(s) doesn’t (don’t)?

I am a husband, father and homeowner and offer a wealth of experience both in life and as a board member. I have traveled around the world while serving in the US Navy during Gulf war I and the conflict in Somalia. I have attended college and worked as an ICU nurse. In sales for the past 12 years I have learned to provide excellent customer service which is what I expect from those around me. I bring the hope and optimism for a better tomorrow and a school district that can and will be the “Move to” district in Oregon.

What is your political and budget expertise?

I have worked with 3 superintendents and 10 other board members over the past four years to make the changes that have been necessary to improve our district…This is my fourth year serving on the budget committee during the most tumultuous economic years in modern history. I manage a personal budget that is more uncertain than that of the school district with the ups and downs that come with commissioned sales. I also work with managing my wife’s home business.

What are the three biggest issues facing your district and how do you intend to address them?

Our biggest issues will be improving high school graduation rates, improving student achievement at every level and eliminating the gap in achievement between those within our diverse subgroups. These issues are currently being addressed by our hiring of Superintendent, Linda Florence, and the goals and action plans that have been adopted. I support staff training to ensure we are equitably providing learning opportunities.

Are there any particular initiatives you would like to see the district undertake?

I would like to see us complete a stadium project at the high school and be able to pass a bond that will allow us to provide for safe and modern school buildings and equipment and technology to accelerate learning.