Five Questions for Carson City School Board Trustee Candidate Adam Heinz, Ward 1
In March, all candidates for local and state positions filed their intention to run for office, in everything from the senate to the school board.
The 2022 Nevada Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, June 14.
*Early Voting begins on Saturday, May 28 and runs through Friday, June 10.
The 2022 Nevada General Election will be held on Tuesday, November 8.
Early voting begins on Saturday, October 22 and runs through Friday, November 4.
Each candidate will be asked five questions relating to their position as a part of the Five Question series from Carson Now.
Adam Heinz is running for School Board Trustee of Ward 1 in Carson City.
The questions are as follows:
1) What is the greatest challenge our schools are facing currently?
Like many running for School Board, our intentions are likely similar — to make our educational system better for our students. Our schools face many challenges, from a lack of substantive funding, campus safety, mental and emotional health, teacher recruitment and retention, among others. That said, I believe that one of the single most threats to our current education system is the politicization of matters that ultimately affect our children. I have no aligned interest other than what is best for our students. Commonsensical solutions for many commonsense problems, irrespective of political or personal belief.
2) What do you think is the solution to that challenge?
Ensure those interested in representing the constituents are doing so without an aligned bias by electing individuals to the board that have the best interest of our students and our district, not necessarily committed to a red, blue, or other personal agenda. Children today unfortunately are faced with many more challenges compared to 20, even 10 years ago and it remains our responsibility, as community members, parents, and board members to ensure that we are available, actively listen, are transparent, and conduct ourselves with integrity and make the best, informed decisions with our students in mind.
3) What is the best decision the Carson City School Board has made in the past year, and why?
COVID-19 proved to be challenging for those in our community, the families, students, teachers, and our schools. There was no playbook, many times difficult decisions were made based on information available, which especially in the beginning was evolving. The work that our teachers, administrators, and board did to re-open our schools, in the beginning part-time and gradually working to full-time, was incredible.
When some districts remained partially/full remote, CCSD was committed to having students back in seat. In addition, for those families that remained uncomfortable or students that were immunocompromised had the option to participate in distance learning. Some in our community were frustrated that life was not “back to normal” and students were required to wear masks and some programs were temporarily unavailable, of course less than ideal, but the board, our administrators, and teachers were committed to working within the confines of the federal, state, and local requirements to ensure students and safety were put first. Safe, open schools are what is best for Carson City’s children — the board and our teachers have worked hard to make that happen this year.
4) What in your background makes you an ideal candidate for the school board?
Born in Carson City, a graduate of Carson City schools, and a part of family who live here in Nevada’s greatest city — the people, our community, and the quality of life bless us. A proud father of two, one in first grade, another starting Kindergarten in the fall, I have a long term, vested interest in the success of our students. A product of Carson City public schools and a son of a middle-class family, I am one of many examples and a testament to the hard work of our public educators and the opportunity that exists for our students.
I believe it important that individuals with “skin in the game” have the privilege of representing the constituents on our School Board. With over two decades of health care experience, as a provider, as well as an executive leader —I believe I have proven that I am accountable, transparent, have compassion, and able to actively listen, all effective qualities of a member on the board. In essence, I truly believe: Your Board. Our community.
5) What is the top priority project or idea that you like the school board to implement in the next five years?
Although there are many competing priorities, almost all are contingent on proper funding. A safe environment is essential for student learning and our valued partnership with the Carson City Sherriff’s department — requires continued funding. The ability to retain our talented teachers and recruit the best to our district - requires funding.
As our community expands and we outgrow our facilities — we will need funding. Coupled with inflation and the need for additional monies for existing services some grants, and funding sources will sundown, further complicating and putting additional pressure on the district’s limited dollars. The board will need to work closely with Superintendent Feuling, the Nevada Legislature, and our representatives in Washington D.C. to allocate more financial resources to our schools to ensure we are strategically positioned to best prepare the future of our State.
You can follow Adam Heinz on Twitter.