Morgan, Dumolt run for school board

Six candidates are competing for three seats on the Sisters School Board in the May 22 election. Mike Morgan opposes Tom Dumolt for Position 2, a two-year term.

Morgan has a degree in Industrial Engineering and spent 20 years in the Silicon Valley working for various high tech companies as a corporate officer and director. In those positions he gained extensive start-up and turn-around experience. Later, he developed his own manufacturing company which sold products and services to the computer industry. He sold the company in 1999 and retired.

Dumolt is a native Oregonian with a degree in Political Science and Rhetoric and Communication. Directly out of college in 1990, Dumolt started his career in sales at Fred Meyer, later moving into management. From there he transitioned into outside sales for Globe Lighting. Four years ago with his wife Tamra and their two daughters, Dumolt moved to Sisters and took over the managership of Globe Lighting in Bend.

When asked to define excellence in education both candidates responded

similarly.

"An excellent public school system prepares all students to succeed in life consistent with their intelligence, aptitude and capabilities," said Morgan.

"Excellence in education means that every student is challenged to reach their full potential and beyond," said Dumolt.

Have Sisters schools attained excellence?

Morgan says, "We can do a better job across the board." In Morgan's opinion, too much attention - mandated by law - is given to students with special needs and to those who are gifted.

Morgan believes that more focus must be given to those "in the middle of the distribution who won't go to college but can become very happy and productive adults." Morgan contends that attaining excellence demands changes in the system.

"Self-esteem based education does not prepare students for the workplace, has been discredited and should be abandoned in all schools," Morgan said.

Dumolt said, "It is my hope that every student graduates with the education, training and necessary tools to succeed in life. Sisters School District has a lot to offer students. Even when we think we have reached excellence, there is always room for improvement."

The candidates were asked to list the three goals each hopes to accomplish, if elected, during his first year of service. Morgan wants to move controversial issues and decisions into the public view. He also wants to move the school board out of micro-managing the district, and finally he desires to "create a district-wide culture of performance and accountably."

Dumolt's goals are to improve communications between the school district and the community, to develop a 10- to 15-year vision for the district and to "see the elementary school renovation and upgrades through to completion."

Morgan states that district residents should vote for him because he has "experience turning around organizations that have stumbled. I will bring focus and determination to this task. I am not afraid to ask hard questions and I will demand responsive answers. I will not support raising taxes to build another showplace or to fill empty seats with out-of-district transfers.

"I will determine what people need versus what they want and put the focus on getting the best possible teachers in all classrooms. I will not support paying lawyers to exploit legal loopholes to get more funding or to improve test scores."

Dumolt states that residents should vote for him because "as a father of two children in this school district I am committed to excellence in education. I have been actively involved in this school district for almost three years, volunteering my time to the TAG advisory committee, the budget committee and most recently as a member of the school board."

Morgan and Dumolt agree that the role of the school board is to set policy. However, Morgan believes the current board is not doing its job because it is

micro-managing.

"This never works and the solution is simple: don't do it. Management and staff must be allowed to do their expected job," Morgan said. The board should be putting more "effort to get religion and personal politics out of the classroom. The board needs to develop 10-, 20- and 30-year property acquisition and facility plans."

For Dumolt the role of the board is to listen to all of the available information and recommendations of the superintendent and then set policy that is in the best interests of the students within the district.

Morgan states his strengths as "intelligence, common sense, hard work, honesty, integrity, accountably and plain speaking. You will never have to guess what I want, what I believe or why I believe it."

In defining his strengths Dumolt states: "I listen to and evaluate all of the available information before making decisions."

Each candidate was asked to add additional information he would like the public to know about him.

Morgan states: "My passion is flying. I've been a recreational pilot and airplane owner for almost 30 years. I currently have two that keep me busy. One goes fast, and we use it to go places. The other is a bush plane, goes slow and can land most anywhere. I've taken many local kids for their first airplane ride. I let them handle the controls, and they love it."

Dumolt states: "I have volunteered my time to Sisters School District in several capacities since I have been in this district. I have been attending school board meetings consistently for the past 15 months. In March, I was appointed to fill a vacant seat on the school board. My appointment to the board has only just begun, and I aspire to continue serving Sisters School District as a school board member."