Name: Rob Holston AKA Capt. Rob
Age: Chronological= 78; Biological= 42
Occupation: Retired Ketchikan School Teacher, Retired Business Owner, Currently owner-Tourism Hospitality & Entertainment, LLC – Consulting
Where are you from? How long have you lived in Ketchikan?
Montana, Ketchikan since August 1981
What is your community involvement, past and present?
Past: FVCC Student Body President, 6 year Vietnam Era Vet (rank 2nd Lieutenant, RedEye Missile Commander), Volleyball Coach, Girls Basketball Coach, Youth Soccer Coach, Calamity Triathlon 1st SOLO participant, Ketchikan 40 Days 4 Life Chair; Present: Tongass Historical Society-Lifetime Member, 30+year Director of The Singing Christmas Tree, Founder-Health & Longevity-NonProfit, Ketchikan Community Concert Band, Ketchikan Community Chorus, Guard Island Heritage, Inc.-Founder & Secretary, Jazz’N’Cabaret participant, KRBD sustaining member, 1st Assembly of God Church member, State Director of Gideons International, weekly volunteer @ Ketchikan Pioneer Home, Scattered Sunshine Trombone Choir, Salmon Gumbo Dixieland Band.
Have you previously run for public office? When and what office?
Yes, circa 14 years ago: Assembly KGB.
Why are you running for school board?
I want to challenge the KGBSD’s status quo of current graduation requirements & curriculum offerings to insure each student’s best interests in academic achievement, health & longevity, career/technical/industrial arts and fine arts are balanced: THUS insuring each student’s best chance at enjoying a long, healthy & productive life. I have completed 100+ Continuing Ed Units & Professional Development Hours mostly focused on School Administration. My success in business, past experience as a public school teacher and my post-graduate education has prepared me to be a positive contributor to the direction that our school district should pursue.
What are your top priorities if elected?
Balance the budget while paying off accumulated debt & ALSO enticing home-schooled & on-line students to return to public education so allocation from funding sources based upon enrollement will be bolstered. We need to improve course offerings, isuch as Career & Technical Education, home economics to include Family and Consumer Sciences, Health-Wellness & Longevity knowlege & skills, Personal Finance, Maritime, Family Economics & Budgeting.
The district has struggled in recent years to maintain a balanced budget. What do you think needs to change going forward, if anything?
I will look closely at non-essential/non-teacher positions currently employed as part of the central office staff and school administrative staff for possible elimination or consolidation as a means of cost savings. In the 1980’s enrollment was 25% greater than today’s and the administrative staff/central office staff was measurably less!
After recent consolidation and cuts, what measures can or should be taken to support staff and students in these changes?
I will ask our new Superintendent to put forth an array of proposals with each proposal showing cost &/or savings and predicted outcomes for the benefit of current staff & students.
What is your position on technology use in the classroom? Should the district develop policies fully or partially restricting cell phone use in schools?
I very much favor the use of technology in the classroom. Calculators, computers & cell phones have replaced the “slide rules” of the past, HOWEVER we need EXTENSIVE RESTRICTIONS on cell phone use and screen time. We need to encourage good old-fashoned communication skills also.
What is your position on use of Artificial Intelligence, or AI, in Ketchikan schools?
Artificial Intelligence needs to be embraced WHILE teaching students academic integrity and honesty. Learning is more than arriving at the correct answer, but understanding the process that leads to that answer should be a major part of each student’s growth and development.
How do you plan to handle public criticism or pressure from the community?
I like to listen to differing points of view and asking them for their solutions. Showing concern for complaints and individual points of view is part of being a good public servant.
How can the district best support students in their post-secondary goals?
The school district has no system of “customer satisfaction surveys”. I propose that the district solicit response from 30, 40, 50, 60 & 70 year old community members to determine how their public K-12 education prepared them for a long, healthy , productive and fulfilling life. As one example: The State requires 4 years on English to graduate yet does not prescribe specific topics or bibliographies. Our local district has the latitude to determine topics and bibliographies that may be more appropriate for preparing students for LIFE rather than attempting to prepare them for a university future.
