Changes in district on minds of 4 candidates

Voters in the North Little Rock School District will decide Sept. 16 whether experience or new blood will better navigate the district through a challenging time.

Early voting for two contested seats on the district's board -- Zone 5 and Zone 6 -- will begin Tuesday and continue through Friday and on Sept. 15.

The district is about a third of the way into a $265.5 million capital improvement program that will reduce 21 campuses to 13. New campuses are being built while others are to be extensively remodeled.

The 9,000-student district is paying for the construction with the sale over time of up to $200 million in bonds financed with the proceeds of a voter-approved 7.4-mill property tax increase and an anticipated $8.3 million in annual savings in district operating costs.

The district's finances have been affected by construction costs as well as the loss of $7.6 million a year in desegregation aid that will end after the 2017-18 school year. Additionally, the state approved about $27 million in aid for school construction, which is less than the $66 million that was initially sought.

In May, a financial adviser for the district told the North Little Rock School Board that it must cut $5.9 million in operating expenses in the next few years for the district to make its annual payments on construction loans. It would be necessary, the adviser said, to cut as many as 100 district jobs.

Incumbents for both of the zone seats said these challenges are why it's imperative that experienced board members stay in leadership.

"We've got two challenges that are a very high priority. We're 30 percent through our capital improvement plan. Getting through the next 70 percent will be a challenge. We've lost desegregation funding. These present extra budget challenges. It's very important to look at each of the candidates and ask 'Are they qualified to deal with these issues?'" said Scott Teague, who has served as the Zone 5 representative since 2005.

J.T. Zakrzewski -- who has served as the Zone 6 representative since 2011 and as board president since last year-- said "truly wonderful things" are happening in the district with the opening of new school buildings and higher ACT scores.

"Many folks I've spoken with have said, simply, 'why would we shake things up right now when so many good things are happening?' And I feel that way," Zakrzewski said. "We have a board that works together very well, and I worry about what will happen if we have new members coming in with an agenda to undermine what is going on in the district."

The newcomers vying for the unpaid, open seats, however, say it's because of the challenges and the growth in the district that new voices are needed on the board.

"I personally have a good relationship with the administration. I do think there are some areas of concern that I see," said Patrick Lander, who is running against Teague for the Zone 5 slot. "I want to ask questions and give input to shift the direction. Their hearts are in it, and they love our kids. But I think they need a different voice to raise questions that aren't currently being asked."

Sandi Campbell, who is challenging Zakrzewski for the Zone 6 seat, said it's important as the district is going through the changes that the staff and teachers be represented. Campbell retired from the district after 35 years as a registered nurse.

"Right now, there's so much construction and so much upheaval from within," Campbell said. "They're going to have to cut more employees to get the budget down. Well, I think they're going to have to think long and hard and make some readjustments."

Teague and Lander -- Zone 5 contenders -- say they bring qualities to the board that are vital to a successful school district.

Teague, 48, a commercial banking manager with U.S. Bank, has a master's degree in finance. Lander, 30, the executive pastor at First Assembly of God in North Little Rock, will graduate this fall with a master's in business administration.

A nine-year board member, Teague touts his experience and a deep working knowledge of the district's complex and wide issues. It will be difficult, he said, for a newcomer to have the confidence needed at such a crucial time.

"When I first got on the board, it was the status quo. There weren't a lot of tough issues. It took me about a year to get up the courage to know what's going on and speak up. Now let's add to that the capital improvement plan and budget cuts. That's a steep learning curve," Teague said. "While I don't have it all figured out, I know the systems and can speak up. I have a good understanding of what we're trying to do."

Lander said as a pastor he not only has extensive budgeting experience, but he has also overseen numerous church construction and improvement projects. Lander added that he was a huge proponent and active in the campaign to pass the millage for the district and has attended numerous board meetings to hear construction updates.

"You definitely need to have your feet on the ground and go to the sites. You need to see it and make sure nothing's overlooked," he said. "As we continue these remodels, we have to make sure they're done accurately. We have to look at it on a consistent basis."

Zone 6 opponents Campbell, 69, and Zakrzewski, 38, share the benefit of inside knowledge of the school district.

Both of Zakrzewski's children are currently students in the district, and the incumbent has spent many years in leadership positions with the district's Parent Teacher Association and other volunteer initiatives.

"I'm accessible. I have three years of proven experience. It's been a very, very busy past three years. I'm a product of the North Little Rock School District and brought my family back here to raise them in North Little Rock," Zakrzewski said. "I love this district, and I want every kid to have the same opportunities."

Not only did Campbell spend decades as a school nurse and as an administrator, but both of her sons graduated from the district.

"Working in the district and raising children in the district, it taught me how to deal with people in every walk of life. In North Little Rock, we had people who had lots of money and people who had none. We have to remember that they are children, and that's why we're in the business of school. They're all near and dear to somebody," Campbell said.

Metro on 09/07/2014