Dover School Board candidate: Amanda L. Russell

This is one in a series of responses to Foster's questionnaire sent to Dover School Board candidates. All responses will be published at fosters.com/topics/dover-school-board-election-2019.

Name: Amanda L. Russell

Address: Cranbrook Lane

Education: Master of arts in music education

Occupation: Music educator

Past civic experience: In addition to nearly eight years of School Board service, I have volunteered for several youth sports organizations and parent teacher groups.

1. Why are you running?

We’ve made excellent progress in many areas of our educational system, but the work is not yet done. I would like to see the Dover High School and Career Technical Center Joint Building Committee through to the end as well as the implementation of the strategic plan through its first five years.

2. If you are an incumbent candidate, what do you feel are your biggest accomplishments in office? If you are running for a position you haven’t held, what accomplishments and experience make you qualified for office?

Working to expedite the DHS CTC building project and to secure additional funding for the project from the state is one of the biggest accomplishments I’ve been a part of as a board member.

3. What is the biggest issue facing Dover's school district, and what specifically would you do to address it?

As with any public school system, funding is our biggest issue. Without sufficient funding, we cannot pay our employees a competitive wage, we cannot update our technology or curriculum, we cannot properly staff our buildings, and we cannot maintain and upgrade our facilities as we should.

4. Do you feel the tax cap is still working for the city and school district, and how would you help manage the tax rate as a member of the School Board?

The tax cap has not worked for Dover. If we were not adequately funding our city departments prior to the implementation of the tax cap, the cap has only made the deficit greater. We have made some much needed gains in recent years. I will continue to question spending and prioritize the needs identified by the strategic plan and by our staff while balancing those needs with the weight of the tax levy.

5. Please provide at least one concrete idea for how you can play a role in improving Dover's educational system and the supports and resources for students and staff.

I will continue to advocate for the needs of our students. They need qualified educators, access to technology, research based curriculum, as well as safe and secure facilities.

6. Educational funding has been a frequent topic of discussion over the years, as has its impact on the tax rate. Please provide at least one concrete idea for how you can balance student, staff and district needs with the interests of local taxpayers.

In addition to advocating for changes in the state’s educational funding formula, working with city departments, city leaders, and the district’s administrative staff to prioritize the district’s and the city’s most pressing needs each year.

7. Are there any capital investments you're concerned about, or would like to see made in the coming years?

I am troubled that the necessary dehumidification system was not included at Dover Middle School when it was constructed. The cost to install it as well as to replace the ceiling grid that has been damaged by the excessive humidity is an expense we must pay for, but should have included in the original building project. Our athletic facilities need significant upgrades and investments from grass to drainage and bleachers to fences.

8. Do you believe Dover’s government is open and accessible to the public, and what specific steps would you take to make it more open and accessible as a member of the School Board?

I believe the board and the council are transparent. We welcome people to speak at meetings and to contact us by phone, email, or social media.

9. What other issue(s) does the school district face, and what specifically would you do to address it/them?

We made a significant gain in our teachers’ contract last year. The remaining two years of that agreement must be funded and we must work to provide our other collective bargaining units with fair and reasonable contracts. We must also make discussions that are a balance of today’s needs as well as the best interests of our future.