Good evening, I would like to thank the League of Women Voters for hosting this forum tonight and for everyone coming out tonight. My name is Aaron DeVries and along with my wonderful wife Regina we have two kids in the Austin School District. Aidan is in Ms. Carroll’s 3rd Grade class at Neveln and Cece is in Ms. May’s 1st Grade class and Ms. Schoen’s class at Southgate. I have heard that some people think I only stand for kids with special needs and that is not true. I want to make sure all kids continue to get the supports they need to be successful in school whether they are in special education, in a regular classroom or in the GATE program. Cece being in special ed caused me to become more involved in the education process but I soon realized that all kids need to have a voice. All kids have different abilities which require some to need more supports than others to allow them to learn at their full potential. Starting this year Aidan is in the GATE program and I have already seen how important this program is to the district while at the same time realizing that it stands in line with all the other programs to receive funding.
I am running for school board because first and foremost I am a parent who wants to make sure all children get the best education we can provide. Secondly, I feel that things happen to us for a reason and we bear a responsibility to use our experiences to make the world better for others and if we do not use what we have learned we are wasting what we have been given. I have experience working with a variety of district staff from teachers to former Superintendent Anderson on various issues to do what is right for the students. We do not always agree with the final outcomes but it is vital that everyone is able to have their voice heard and feel that the process is fair. When I am on the school board I will work to allow everyone to have their voices heard. I will work to make sure the policies and procedures are fair and they are in the best interest of the students. I understand not everyone will agree with the school board but I will do my best to make sure that the school board is not viewed as Mark Twain suggests in the following quote “In the first place, God made idiots. That was for practice. Then he made school boards.”
As you know in November we will be voting on a Levy Operating Referendum that would increase taxes on a $100,000 home by $84 per year. According to an August 20th article in the Austin Daily Herald “If the referendum is not approved, they will be forced to cut programs, which includes staff, because of inflationary costs.” While I understand the times are not the best to be asking for more money from the taxpayers I think it is in the best interest of the children to approve the referendum. Since the district receives a portion of their revenue from local taxpayers I feel they bear a responsibility to show us that they are spending the money wisely. I feel the school board should make sure the district is being fiscally responsible in all areas including but not limited to buildings and grounds, technology, staff compensation and transportation.
I look forward to sharing more of my ideas and beliefs tonight. Thank you.
Good evening, I would like to thank the League of Women Voters for hosting this forum tonight and for everyone coming out tonight. My name is Aaron DeVries and along with my wonderful wife Regina we have two kids in the Austin School District. Aidan is in Ms. Carroll’s 3rd Grade class at Neveln and Cece is in Ms. May’s 1st Grade class and Ms. Schoen’s class at Southgate. I have heard that some people think I only stand for kids with special needs and that is not true. I want to make sure all kids continue to get the supports they need to be successful in school whether they are in special education, in a regular classroom or in the GATE program. Cece being in special ed caused me to become more involved in the education process but I soon realized that all kids need to have a voice. All kids have different abilities which require some to need more supports than others to allow them to learn at their full potential. Starting this year Aidan is in the GATE program and I have already seen how important this program is to the district while at the same time realizing that it stands in line with all the other programs to receive funding.
Posted by admin on September 9th, 2009
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Remarks given to the Austin School Board – 02/09/09
Chairperson Fox, members of the board, Superintendent Anderson I want to thank you for the opportunity to speak to you tonight. My name is Aaron DeVries and along with my wife Regina, we have two children Aidan in 2nd grade at Neveln and Cecelia in Kindergarten at Southgate in Mrs. Schoen’s Special Education class.
Tonight I am here in my position as parent facilitator to share with you about the Special Education Advisory Council or SEAC. I plan to talk about what SEAC is, why I joined, and details about how parents, district staff, school board members HINT HINT and general community members can join SEAC.
Posted by admin on August 24th, 2009
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