David Solomonson kicks himself for not running in the last school board election.

Wednesday, September 15, 1999

David Solomonson kicks himself for not running in the last school board election.

"Had I known," said Solomonson, shaking his head. "I’d thought hard about it."

The retired Austin High School teacher and counselor describes himself as a self-thinker. He believes he could’ve helped the district avoid the budget overspending and subsequent mid-year budget cuts endured in 1998-99.

But since there’s nothing he can do about that now, Solomonson is looking to the future as he prepares for the Nov. 2 Austin Board of Education election, which features four open seats and 17 candidates.

If elected, he said he’d promote trimming the administration.

"It’s rather large," he said. "We don’t need to have so many. We need to get principals involved in hiring and teachers involved in curriculum, not a curriculum administrator."

Solomonson, a dedicated volunteer and board member with the Mower County Senior Center and the United Way, watched as his four children progressed through the school district.

"My oldest children had a better education than the younger ones," said Solomonson, who added that he believes it has become more and more difficult for teachers to operate in the system.

"There are creative teachers," he said, "but there are so many loopholes to go through before they bring about change."

Solomoson proposes looking at, and learning from, other school districts.

On the student end, Solomonson said he has no special interests and is dedicated to all students.

The most important thing a high school education can give a student, Solomonson said, "is the ability to go out and get a job."

Solomonson would push the district to include a student’s jobs on his transcript. That way, a student who, say, isn’t involved in school-sponsored extra curricular activities can be recognized for what he does as part of the work force.

No matter the outcome of the coming election, Solomonson said change will be a good thing.

"My hope is that we’ll get good school members who will improve the school system," said Solomonson, who believes he fits that bill. "I’ve had experience with boards. I want to do something for the people."