Weston County School Board Election #1: Jason Jenkins

NLJ: Please tell us why you want to hold this office, and what you intend to accomplish if elected. Please be specific about your goals and objectives, so our readers can measure your progress over the course of the term. Also tell us what qualifications and characteristics you possess that will help ensure that your stated goals can be achieved. (The same question was posed to all candidates for the General Election.)

Jason Jenkins 
I am a Newcastle native who graduated from Newcastle High School and I am now raising my three children with my wife, Kim.
I am always looking for opportunities to serve my community, either through my service in the military, the fire and sheriff’s department, correctional officer and drill instructor at the Wyoming Honor Conservation Camp.
I have a vested interest in the direction of this school district, as I have children of my own enrolled in this system. My interests are not only for the future of my children, but others as well. Children make up 20 percent of our population, but are 100 percent of our future. 
My goals are finding ways to assist at-risk students, improve school safety, and expand our vocational studies. Due to my current and past employment, I have a unique perspective of these types of students. With the rise of these issues at our school, I feel I can help improve the school district in these areas.
An at-risk student is one who is in danger of failing academically, could drop out of school or is struggling with disciplinary issues. My goal is to give the school the resources it needs to help these students succeed. This could include an at-risk counselor and in-school or after-school programs. It is important that we make innovative changes to classroom instruction and school environments to include bringing support personnel into the classroom rather than taking the student out of class.
With the ongoing issue of bullying and school violence, it is imperative that all students have a safe learning environment. When violence is a part of the school environment, all students are affected in some way. As a school board member, I would like to meet with teachers, parents, and students to listen to their concerns and suggested solutions to any problems our community is facing.
Not all students will attend a college or university. One of the advantages of vocational training is that it focuses on practical skills that students can put to use in a job immediately. Some students are able to learn easily through reading, discussion, and lecture; while others may excel at learning through hands-on training. I would like to see our students have an opportunity to achieve a degree in Applied Science through Eastern Wyoming College. I would like to expand on our high school programs and a program through EWC where students can work toward those vocational degrees.
As a school board member, I feel one of the most important jobs is to support school staff. Meeting teachers’ needs can only increase student performance in our schools. Remembering that data is only one indicator of how our schools are performing and to look at the whole system and what it is providing our children to be successful adults is imperative. Providing quality training, funding for rigorous curriculum, and appropriate technology is a great way to support our teachers in meeting school/district goals. These are aspects that I will uphold as a school board member.