Election 2011: Meet Mark Spurr, District 197 School Board Candidate

Editor's Note: Each candidate for the submitted their answers to the following questionnaire. The candidates had 125 words or less to respond to identical prompts. Those answers that exceeded the word count will be edited for length.

The Basics

Name: Mark Spurr

City: West St. Paul

Education: B.A. Environmental Studies, Macalester College, Graduate Studies in Public Affairs, University of Minnesota

Where do you work? President, FVB Energy Inc., an engineering and management consulting firm.

Questions for District 197 School Board candidates:

Patch: Why are you qualified to sit on the District 197 School Board?

Mark Spurr: I have been an independent voice on the board, asking hard questions about proposed decisions to ensure that we are spending the public’s money cost-effectively to achieve demonstrated educational results. I pushed hard, and successfully, to change our budget development process to bring greater transparency and public involvement in budgeting. I have demonstrated leadership in making complex and difficult decisions, setting forward proposed resolutions and working with other board members to compromise and reach decisions. I have decades of experience in running successful businesses, making payroll and paying taxes. I understand complex budgets and other financial information, have experience in marketing services and goods, and have strong communication skills.

Patch: Where do you stand on passage of the operating referendum that will be on the ballot?

Spurr: Yes. I believe passing the levy is essential to maintaining quality education, because state and federal funding constraints will only get worse.

Patch: What is the most important step the district must take to address financial pressures?

Spurr: In the long term, we must implement innovations in how we educate our kids so we can achieve educational excellence more cost-effectively. I am now chairing the SRAC, an innovative process bringing administrators, teachers and the public together in an open and transparent way to evaluate strategies to boost achievement for every student while reducing costs.

Patch: Aside from the budget, what is the most important issue facing the school district?

Spurr: In 2012 the most important decision the board will make is hiring a new Superintendent.

Patch: What area of education are you particularly passionate about?

Spurr: I feel strongly that we can and should find ways to better engage students in their education. If we harness their interests and passions they will be more motivated to learn.