Salem-Keizer School District 24J
Director, Zone 1

CHARLES ARNEST

OCCUPATION:

Retired

OCCUPATIONAL BACKGROUND:

Salem-Keizer teacher and substitute; (1993-2005); Advanced mathematics/physical science;

US Navy nuclear submarine officer; 30 years (1962-1992).

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND:

Willamette University; MA Teaching, 1993.

United States Naval Academy; BS Naval Engineering, 1962.

PRIOR GOVERNMENTAL EXPERIENCE:

Director Navys Submarine Manpower and Training, 1990-1992.
Two + billion dollar budget

Commanding Officer Navys Technical Intelligence Center, 1987-1990. 1000 personnel; 65 million dollar budget

Nuclear attack submarine captain, 1977-1979.

I have evaluated our educational system as a parent of a Salem-Keizer student, a consumer of high school graduates in the submarine force, and as a classroom teacher in Salem-Keizer schools. A small percentage of students are motivated and move through our system to benefit significantly from the experience. However, an honest appraisal finds that we are not hitting the mark with the majority of our other students.

One has to look no farther than state testing summaries to see that the excellent results in the third grade wither away. Only a third of potential high school graduates are proficient in tenth grade mathematics and less than half in English language skills. Many high school students are engrossed in use of walkmans, cell phones, text and graphic instant messaging, even in class. Standards of dress and grooming are not universally enforced. Systems in place to encourage attendance, promptness, and discipline are frequently not effective. I conclude that directed student attention in learning is in last place.

A high school principal frequently stated that the singular and most important primary activity of learning takes place in the classroom and that his primary purpose was to ensure that the classroom teaching was facilitated to the maximum extent possible. If elected, my primary objective would be to focus district activity to facilitate classroom teaching.

Our problems are systemic. I am running for election, because I am prepared to dedicate my ideas and energy to be part of solutions. I am ready to propose and support actions to promote incremental improvement.

(This information furnished by Charles Arnest

and is printed exactly as submitted.)