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Timothy Renner reflects on his Newport School Board service

By ARCHIE MOUNTAIN
NEWPORT — With his three-year term on the Newport School Board about to end, Timothy Renner made a decision not to seek re-election to another three-year term. Based on that information, the Argus-Champion asked Renner five questions about his three years of service. His responses follow:

 

Why did you decide not to run?

This was a very personal decision for me that ultimately came down to finding balance in my family, my personal, and my professional life. My time on the Newport School Board has been enlightening, I have learned so much about local government and our district. I am walking away with a new perspective that will serve me not only in my personal life but will be useful in my professional life as well. 

Additionally I personally feel that no board should be permanent. One of the key attributes I brought to the board was a fresh perspective, one that I no longer have after three years of service. In order for the district to continue to move forward the board needs an occasional refresh with new perspectives and ideas.

 

What were any major goals you had as a member that were reached … or not?

When I joined the board I felt that the district was headed in the wrong direction. I joined the board with two major concerns that I wanted to address: the district’s finances, and the climate and culture of the schools.

Regarding finances; I am leaving with a more informed view of the district’s finances than I had when I joined. I now understand the complexity of the school budget and the difficulties that come with developing a forward-looking projection that is dependent on factors that are (ultimately) out of the district’s control. I don’t feel as though I made any progress improving the process and certainly it was/is not in my control to determine what the district needs (financially) to operate. I found budgeting to be heartbreaking; on one hand sitting on the board with the understanding of the hardship Newport residents face every day, on the other, a strong desire to provide my children with the very best education has to offer. I’ve traveled to schools in Lebanon, Sutton, Claremont, southern New Hampshire, Massachusetts; it breaks my heart to see the wonderful possibilities that exist (full-size auditoriums, advanced technology, best-in-class athletic facilities) but to know that Newport simply can’t afford them.

Secondly I wanted to focus on the climate and culture of the schools. I came to the board fully aware of the reputation of the Newport school district; my wife and I decided to move to Newport six years ago despite having heard about the school’s reputation. I saw an opportunity to make a difference and I feel as though I have made a small impact by joining my fellow board members and asking the school administration to begin cataloging and tracking discipline issues. 

The reports we have received are beginning to shine an unfortunate light on some of the incidents that occur in our schools, but only by raising awareness of these incidents can the board and the district continue to work together to address them and (hopefully) improve the overall culture of the school. In my six years in Newport one thing has become evident to me, the teachers and staff in the Newport School District are some of hardest working, most dedicated teachers I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. My children’s education is a team effort; I am grateful every day for their dedication to setting them (my children) on the path to success.

 

Is being a board member too time-consuming…I’m thinking of all the meetings the board has.

Being a board member certainly takes dedication and time out of your personal life; definitely one of the difficult decisions I faced when deciding whether to run again. My time on the board was valuable to me; for the reasons I’ve listed above I feel as though it is time for me to move on. 

 

Looking ahead, what do you think are the two or three most serious issues for the board to focus on that have not been reached yet?

In my opinion the most serious issues facing the Newport School District continue to be opinions regarding the local education tax rate, the climate and culture of the schools, and increasing special education costs. The district budget (in my opinion) is sound; the town of Newport however cannot sustain increases to the tax rate under its current model and tax base. 

As with many residents I hope that the town can do more to bring businesses and residents to Newport, increasing the tax base, or develop a model that allows for tax rates that support the school more equitably when compared to the municipal tax rates. My family and I do not live on a fixed income,  however, like all residents of Newport, increases to property taxes are difficult to sustain and affect my family’s ‘bottom-line’. I am of the opinion, however, that I would gladly adjust my personal budget in support of the school and my children’s future.

 

During your three-year term … what are the three most important things the board accomplished affecting education in Newport?  

First and foremost is the continued implementation of competency-based education systems. Education in the 21st century is rapidly changing and evolving; our children’s future depends on the ability of the district to deliver relevant content in a way that supports their transition to secondary and post-secondary education. 

Even more important is competency-based educations’ ability to prepare students for the workforce and challenges they will face entering it. Secondly the board’s commitment to addressing and improving the climate and culture of our schools. Linda Wadensten’s presentation regarding continuous improvement is exactly the direction the district needs. Additionally, the request that the administration provide metrics in-and-around discipline in the schools provides the district with the data it needs to begin to address disciplinary issues in a targeted and meaningful way.

Reflecting on the past three years I am grateful for my time on the Newport School Board and for what it has taught me. My sincere hope is that another caring individual can step-up and step in to the open Board seat with fresh ideas and perspectives. Progress in any system requires change be made, and it is through change and evolution that we collectively improve and grow. 

I am grateful to my fellow board members for their support through good times and bad, and for working as a team, even through our differences. At the end of the day, the students, the children, their future is what matters most.

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