Research educator says he will work with school board to restore ‘spirit of trust and collaboration’
Published in the April 27 – May 10, 2016 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Staff Report
Tom Arnett, candidate for MHUSD school board
Tom Arnett works for the San Mateo-based think tank The Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation. He is now running in the June 7 special election for the school board to fill the seat of Trustee Amy Porter Jensen who left the position in October.
Morgan Hill Life asked Arnett why he is running and about various issues important to the school district.
Why are you running for the school board to fill Amy Porter Jensen’s seat?
I care about our community and the success of our school. I’m an alumnus of the Morgan Hill Unified School District, and my children will be attending district schools. I want to work collaboratively to foster innovative approaches to personalize learning, close achievement gaps, support our teachers and provide students and their families with options for meeting their individual learning needs.
What’s your background in education?
I work as an Education Research Fellow for a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank called the Clayton Christensen Institute. We study how school systems can successfully develop innovative instructional models that personalize learning to meet students’ individual needs. Prior to my current job, I was a middle school math teacher in Kansas City, Missouri, and then later worked with a school in Connecticut to design and lead an innovative summer school program.
Candidate Tom Arnett (right) at the April 19, 2016 MHUSD board meeting.
Photo by Marty Cheek
How often do you attend school board meetings?
I have attended every school board meeting since I decided to run. Although I was not heavily involved in school board meetings prior to running, I think my lack of involvement is an advantage because it means I have not been entrenched in the board’s recent controversies.
What are your thoughts on the atmosphere of “discord” now pervading the school board and what might you do to change that?
Research shows trust and collaboration are the most important distinguishing features of well-governed districts. If elected, my first and primary objective will be to work with the other board members to restore a spirit of trust and collaboration so the board can regain its focus on doing what is best for students. Although board members may have ideological differences, we need to be willing to consider the perspectives of others and work together to find solutions.
What are your thoughts on the sixth-grade reconfiguration to middle schools?
Middle school is a critical time when students develop their sense of individual identity and self-esteem. During these years, students need communities where they have strong, positive relationships and feel a sense of safety, confidence and belonging. In my opinion, elementary schools are the ideal settings for providing students with these types of communities. I would work to ensure these types of communities exist at all campuses serving middle-school-aged students. I also think parents should have the option of picking the school they feel is best for their student.
hat is your opinion of Superintendent Steve Betando?
I personally do not know him well, but based on my interactions with him I trust that he was selected to lead the district because of his professional expertise. My focus will be to work with him in developing and implementing policies that best support our students.
What are you thoughts on charter schools — particularly Voices — and their role in the MHUSD?
Research shows charter schools on average are no better than neighborhood schools. At the same time, there are some charter schools that do incredible work. I am in favor of the district exercising its authority to both manage neighborhood schools and authorize charter schools in order to provide district students and families with options. Charter school applications and renewals should be considered on an individual basis based on the strengths and weaknesses of the charter school’s application.
What are your opinions on Common Core and its role in the MHUSD?
I think the Common Core State Standards are a positive step forward. They raise our expectations for the deeper learning skills — such as critical thinking, problem solving and creativity — our students need to master in order to be prepared for the 21st century. That being said, there are a number of challenges that need to be worked through as we implement the standards, such as adopting standards-aligned resources, preparing teachers to teach to the standard, and refining the new standards-aligned assessments to ensure they are valid and reliable.
