As superintendent I have successfully managed over half a billion dollars in public funds. Our district with the hard work and dedication of our parents, teachers and administrators has done more with less funding than virtually any other school in the state. Our fiscal responsibility has led to Moody's assigning our district an Aa3 enhanced credit rating which is consider prime high quality very low credit risk. We are consistently rated one of the 10 districts in the state that spend the least per student yet we have the highest educational achievement. While I did not accomplish that on my own it is a record I am proud to have led the effort to achieve.
Our country, state, county, and communities have many important and worthwhile needs including but not limited to:
Schools - Although Northeast Arkansas has some of the top schools in the State and Region, we must strive to continue to increase our students opportunities to compete in the world wide job market. We cannot allow our schools to lag behind due to lack of funding. Great schools are the reason for the continued growth in our economy, population, and industry.
Roads - Roads are also vital to the continued growth of our community. It is imperative that we continue to work on getting Int. 555 as a connecting artery through Jonesboro.
Healthcare - Our citizens must be covered with a comprehensive yet affordable healthcare plan. We all must look at options that reduce the cost of such healthcare plans. Competition between healthcare providers is one way that we can make sure we get the best program for the least cost.
Farming - Arkansas farmers are a vital part of our economy. Without our family farms we lose the ability to feed our nation. Farmers deserve the help of the state and national legislators to make sure our farmers can provide the best product without risking financial ruin because of natural disasters.
Tourism - The economy is dependent on tourism in Arkansas. We must continue to promote Arkansas and all it's natural beauty to increase the tourism dollars. Arkansas has an abundance of natural springs, lakes, rivers, caves, and mountains the will continue to attract tourist.
Parks - One of the best kept secrets in Arkansas is our own Craighead Forest. The city of Jonesboro, with the help of past legislators have provided the children of this area an outstanding environment for exercise and fun.
I have a big problem with the trend for government to spend money irresponsibly and in particular borrowed money. I was raised that if you didn't have the money you didn't buy it except for land, housing, transportation, and equipment which were all large expenditures and necessities. Everything else you saved for or did without.
What many don't understand is every borrowed dollar results in interest which reduces the services that can be provided. So spending money you don't have, borrowing it and paying interest is short-term thinking at best and limits what future generations can do to provide for needs while placing ever increasing tax burdens on productive working individuals.
Saving does just the opposite. It underwrites future needs by earning interest and putting the money to work for you rather than working against you.
There will always be more wants than the money to pay for them all so managing money gets down to setting priorities, reducing waste and improving efficiency.
I don't believe in unfunded mandates because there is no such thing to the organization or individual tasked with implementing the mandate - the funding may not be provided but it has to be found. If something is important enough to mandate it is important enough to fund.
I am a fiscal conservative who will strive to manage the public's money the same way I have Valley View School as well as my own, only going into debt when it is a true need, not just a want and saving for the good but non-essential until it can be afforded.