Blaine school board district 2
Ben Lazarus
Ben Lazarus is a full-time instructor at the British Columbia Institute of Technology who teaches aircraft mechanics. He previously owned Westwind Marine boat repair in Point Roberts and has two daughters attending Blaine schools.
Q: If elected, what are your top three priorities for your first year and how will you work to accomplish those?
A: In my first year, my priorities will be to listen to as many voices as I can, learn how to be effective as a board member, and build as many collaborative relationships as I can. I think it is very important to listen and gather information before deciding what needs to be changed, because things often happen for reasons that we don’t understand before digging a little deeper.
I have been attending PTO meetings because they are a great place to speak to both parents and staff. My daughters and their friends (currently attending BHS) have provided me with insight from the students’ perspective.
Q: Blaine school district’s 2022-23 budget forecast a $14 million deficit by 2026 if expenditures continued to outpace revenues. How would you like to see the district balance the budget?
A: I want us to create a learning environment that attracts more students back into our schools, and the additional funding that would bring. The arts often bear the brunt of budget cuts, but I believe that our arts programs and sports teams are crucial to keeping students in school.
Trades programs can provide learning opportunities that are very difficult to replicate in homeschooling. For those who still want to choose homeschooling, I would like to find ways for our schools to support those students, and bring some of that revenue back into our district.
Q: What do you believe are the top issues facing the school district, and how will you work as a school board member to address those?
A: Other than seeking better funding from the state, I keep hearing about vaping/bullying in the bathrooms, and a desire for better engagement with our superintendent. A new bathroom coordination app is being implemented, and I will be listening to hear if it is effectively resolving problems. Regarding Dr. Granger, I have heard both support and opposition to his leadership.
I will be listening to teachers, administrators and Dr. Granger himself to form my own opinion so I can improve how we guide and direct him and I can make an informed vote when his contract is up for renewal.
Dean Berkeley
Dean Berkeley previously served as a North Whatcom Fire and Rescue commissioner, former Vice President of the Sedro-Woolley Fire Fighter Association and is president of a HOA in Blaine. Berkeley studied at Kwantlen Polytechnic University and British Columbia Institute of Technology.
Q: If elected, what are your top three priorities for your first year and how will you work to accomplish those?
A: Increase help/funding for IEP programs. Increase help/funding for trades and expand that into the 8th grade. Look for extra ways to make money for the school. Example: Open the concession stands for all school sporting events, small and large.
Q: Blaine school district’s 2022-23 budget forecast a $14 million deficit by 2026 if expenditures continued to outpace revenues. How would you like to see the district balance the budget?
A: We need to look at cutting the fat from the top and work our way down, working with the minimal [senior] management. Teachers/counselors/nurses would be the last to be cut.
The money provided to the district is all our money and needs to be managed properly to give our children the best education/experience in life. A new priority needs to be set for spending and I will work with the board on that.
Q: What do you believe are the top issues facing the school district, and how will you work as a school board member to address those?
A: Ask parents why they are pulling kids from our school? Ask why we lost so many teachers and psychologist. Ask why the teachers were forced by the superintendent to close their tutoring classes after school. We need to hear from the community and the students that can voice their opinion on classes and issues they are frustrated with. Then work with the board on how to fix the concerns.
This article was updated October 26 to list the candidates in the order that they appear on ballots.
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