Election 2014: Carson City School Trustee, District 1

Jim Bathgate

Residence: Carson City

Occupation: Adjunct professor of economics and math/statistics tutor at Western Nevada College and stay-at-home dad.

Age: 43

Education: M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Connecticut, B.A. in Mathematical Economics from Providence College.

Honors: Endorsed by the Carson City Republican Central Committee.

Platform: I have a passion for teaching and have worked with students of all ages and backgrounds. My experience as a professor and tutor has given me insight into the skills children need to excel in college and the workplace. As an economist, I understand the need for efficiency when dealing with scarce resources. I will advocate for taxpayers and make sure our taxes go to support student achievement while minimizing administrative overhead and waste. My economics background will provide a new perspective for evaluating district planning, personnel and school finance issues. My focus if elected: Preparing students for college – All families should have high academic expectations for both their children and the schools they attend. Schools need to focus on proven methods of education and hold students to high standards. Preparing students for 21st century jobs – For students who are not college bound, I would continue to support and, if possible, enhance Career and Technical Education opportunities by strengthening ties between local business and schools. I love Carson City and want to contribute to the community. I will provide a perspective that is not currently represented on the school board. I would appreciate your support on Election Day.

Contact: 775-721-1698, jbforschoolboard@yahoo.com, www.jimbathgate.com.

Ron Swirczek

Residence: Carson City

Occupation: Retired from the State of Nevada

Record of service: Retired from State of Nevada; Deputy Legislative Auditor, Legislative Counsel Bureau; General Manager, Office of State Controller; Supervisor, Local Government Finance (including School Districts), Department of Taxation; Administrator, Division of Industrial Relations; Deputy Director, Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation workforce education and job training programs; Part-time accounting instructor, Western Nevada College; Former Business Owner: Carson Bike & Ski Shop; U.S. Army, 1960-1963; Carson City School Board Trustee, 2010-present; Carson City School District involvement, 2009-present; Participant, Strategic Advisory Committee; Member, School District Master Plan Committee; Community Relations and Education Sub-Committees; Bond Oversight Committee; Community Partnerships strategic planning sub-group; Regional Workforce Education Committee, Northern Nevada Development Authority; Carson City Board of Supervisors (1987-1991); Mayor Pro-Tem; Liaison, Carson City School District; Member, Finance and Legislative Committees; Carson Water Sub-Conservancy District; Carson City Capital Projects Advisory Committee (Public Safety Complex).

Education: M.A. Degree, Public Administration, University of Nevada, Reno; B.A. Degree, Sociology, California State University, Long Beach; A.A. Degree, accounting emphasis, Long Beach City College.

Honors: New School Board Member of the Year, 2013, Nevada; Association of School Boards, for contributing to student achievement and success; School Board of the Year, 2013, awarded to the Carson City School District Board of Trustees for the consistent use and development of skills and programs focused on board-superintendent cooperation and teamwork to improve student achievement.

Platform: In 2010, I observed that Carson City did not have a forward-looking strategic plan to create the extraordinary schools needed for our children’s futures. I believed instead that our community should define educational goals and bring a plan to the school board. Though state and federal mandates define minimum standards, I believed that the community, with the school board and superintendent, should plan for goals that surpass the minimums and include new skills required for student success, such as technology literacy, global awareness and real-world practical application. In order to begin that process, I ran for School District Trustee and was elected in 2011. Within nine months, the community built and presented to the school board a 5-year strategic plan, Empower Carson City 2017. If re-elected, I will work toward full implementation of this strategic plan, which requires continuous community input and oversight to: 1) connect students with the real world; 2) engage families with their students’ educations; 3) promote optimal student wellness; 4) create curricula that combines the strengths of traditional learning with evolving technology; 5) nurture community partnerships; 6) graduate career/college-ready, civic-minded students; 7) provide early childhood education for all students; 8) support innovative teachers, administrators and staff.

Contact: rcswirczek@pyramid.net.