Part of the David Ford Fan Club.
The race for Position #4 on the Coupeville School Board features two strong contestants in incumbent Alison Perera and challenger David Ford.
Both are deeply committed to our local schools and put an emphasis on financial well-being for the district.
That being said, my personal support goes to Ford, a CHS grad whose family is deeply intertwined in the community.
His campaign sign is in my front yard, and the following is his personal statement for why he is running.
Do I think you should vote for him? I know I am.
The words of David Ford:
To state that I have an invested interest in the success of the Coupeville School District is an understatement.
Both my lovely wife and I were raised and graduated from Coupeville and five generations of my family have attended Coupeville Schools with two granddaughters currently in elementary school.
I am a software engineer for Boeing and have served in the Navy, both active and reserves, going on 29 years.
A lot of folks ask why I continue to serve and it’s a simple answer.
I live to serve my country and community and if I didn’t do it, one of our sons or daughters would have to.
A couple other questions that you may be asking yourself about me is why now and why haven’t you been more active in the schools previously?
To be honest, it has been a work/life balance issue.
During the week, I work for Boeing in Tukwila, so the daily four-hour commute with the unknowns of the ferries, left me little time to commit to my other interests and passions.
With that, I have focused on supporting our students and community via contributions and donations.
With my retirement from Boeing on the horizon, June 2024, I plan to take advantage of my free time to work on what interests and excites me.
And that is giving back to the community that helped raise me.
Also, you can’t bitch about something unless you’re willing to dig in and get your hands dirty!
As a candidate for the Coupeville School Board, I am a passionate advocate for the future of our children while ensuring that education remains the priority.
Our schools are not just institutions of learning; they should be a reflection of the community and the starting point for our next generation’s dreams, aspirations, and innovations.
Our community, known for its work ethic and compassion, deserves an educational system that is just as focused and equitable.
But how do we get there?
Listening First: A top-down approach doesn’t work in education.
It is crucial to listen to our educators, our students, and our parents.
Their unique daily experiences provide invaluable insights into how we can make improvements and ensure a student-centered learning environment.
Equity and Inclusion: Every student, regardless of their background, deserves an equal shot at success.
This means making sure that our schools are equipped with the resources they need to support students of all backgrounds and abilities.
It means fostering environments where every student feels seen, heard, and valued.
Transparency and Accountability: As your school board director, I promise to maintain a culture of transparency.
Every decision, every policy, and every dollar spent should be openly accounted for and justified to you, the community.
Why are decisions being made? How do they align with the district’s Strategic Plan?
I look forward to asking the hard questions and weeding through the “noise” for facts and data to help drive board decisions.
Mental Health and Well-being: The well-being and safety of our students and staff is paramount.
We need comprehensive programs that prioritize mental health, helping our children navigate the pressures and challenges they face while providing the staff with their own resources to cope with having to do more with less.
Continuing our districts support to the Social and Emotional Learning curriculum will help our students by promoting self-awareness, empathy, resilience, and responsible decision-making, while fostering a positive and inclusive school climate.
Finally, Support for our Educators: Our teachers are the backbone of our district.
It’s essential that they are given continuous opportunities for professional development and growth while ensuring that they have the time and resources to focus on our students.
I envision a community where our schools are not just places to pass tests but are hubs of creativity, innovation, and personal growth.
A place where all children are excited to learn, where they feel safe, supported, and nurtured, and where they leave ready to take on the world through the career pathway of their choosing.
Not one school board director has all the answers.
I have been encouraged by the hard work and dedication of the current board to set priorities, set expectations of accountability and transparency and I’d like to be a part of the solution.
I don’t have years of drinking the district Kool-Aid, but I bring diversity and a fresh look at old problems.
I will listen, be your voice and provide answers.
You may not like all of them, but you will know what’s going on and why decisions are being made.
I seek your partnership, your advice, and your commitment.
Let’s roll up our sleeves together to make education the priority and build stronger schools for brighter futures.
Vote Ford for Board!
DISCLAIMER: This is NOT a paid ad but can be taken as an endorsement of David Ford for Coupeville School Board.
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