She finished a six-city sweep in her hometown Wednesday afternoon, on the steps of Target Range Elementary School, where she's taught for 26 years. She said that career, combined with four terms in the Montana House of Representatives, qualified her for the top education post.
“The very first thing the superintendent does is get the budget passed for the next two years for schools,” Raser said. “You've got to have someone who knows the process very well. That's what I bring to this position: the background and knowledge to do this on the very first day I'm in office.”
“Our schools would have been far worse off, except we had strong superintendents with that classroom experience,” she said of her predecessors, McCulloch and Nancy Keenan. “I know how to work with the Legislature, the governor's office and the education community. I've seen it from the ground up - from the taxpayers associations saying there's too much money going to schools, to educators saying they don't have the money they need.”
Although Montana consistently ranks near the bottom of national reviews of education policies and programs, Raser defended the state's tradition of local control on school issues.
“I don't believe we are failing our students,” Raser said. “The needs of Two Dot are different than they are in Red Lodge or Billings. I say that's one of our strengths. We rank well worldwide when we look at our student achievement.”
She also supported the Montana Quality Education Coalition's legal efforts to redesign the state's school funding mechanism. While she regretted it required a lawsuit to force the state to act, she supported the continued push to “re-fund” education after years of stagnant budgets.
The Wednesday afternoon gathering drew both local Democratic and Republican party members. Fellow Rep. Robin Hamilton, D-Missoula, a Hellgate High School English teacher, introduced Raser.
Missoula County Public Schools Trustee Jim Sadler, who is active in area GOP organizations, said he also came to support an old friend.
“The Office of Public Instruction really should be a nonpolitical office,” Sadler said. “It's too important to get tied up in politics. I'm still looking to see who's running, but I think she's a qualified person. I've known her for a long time.”
Former Missoula Education Association president and Sentinel High School teacher Dave Severson said his union hadn't made any endorsements yet. But he was there to personally support Raser.
“Holly has proven herself in Missoula as a teacher and a legislator,” Severson said. “We'll do what we can to help her out.”
Reporter Rob Chaney can be reached at 523-5382 or at rchaney@missoulian.com
|
 |
 |
Add your comment now! Write your comment in the form below.
(Email address is for verification only. If you'd like to email a story, look for the link above)