Another prospective candidate for October’s municipal elections told members of a committee on which she sits Wednesday that she intends to run for the Juneau School District’s Board of Education this year.
Clinical psychologist Destiny Sargeant took advantage of the slightly delayed start to Wednesday’s Juneau Local Emergency Planning Committee meeting to pass around her nominating petition, seeking signatures from fellow committee members and meeting attendees.
“I don’t want anyone to feel like they have to do this if they’re at all uncomfortable, but I decided to run — re-run — for school board after being off for two years, and I would like to send around a sheet,” Sargeant said. “If you are a registered voter and would be willing to support me, it would be very helpful.”
Sargeant made her mind up to run this week, she said.
“I decided this just yesterday, and so I’m throwing my signatures together very quickly so I can turn them in,” Sargeant said with a laugh.
Sargeant said she was hoping to have enough signatures by Wednesday night, although she noted she has until 4:30 p.m. next Monday to turn in her nominating petition and file with the City Clerk’s Office in City Hall.
“I don’t have 25 signatures yet, but I will by tonight, I think,” said Sargeant. “So if I have it by tonight, I can for sure get it in by Friday.”
Anyone seeking to appear on the October ballot for either school board or the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly is required to submit 25 signatures from qualified Juneau voters.
Sargeant previously served on the school board from 2007 to 2010.
“I was on the school board and loved it, and the only reason I went off the school board was because I had to get my son through his own graduation and my daughter started in middle school,” said Sargeant. “And now I’m really excited about coming back.”
The only certified candidate for school board this year as of the close of business Wednesday is Andrea Story, the incumbent vice president. Three seats are up for election this year.
• Contact reporter Mark D. Miller at 523-2279 or at mark.d.miller@juneauempire.com.
Comments (20)
Add commentViews?
Are we just filling seats?
It would've been nice to get one quote about her views/hopes/stances...?
I support Sargeant
Her record speaks very loud. She has done a great job on the School Board. She has my vote, again.
It is unfortunate that Mark Choate is stepping down. I thought they worked well together and were instrumental on making the JSD Budget process open and understandable.
scary
I also love the "just vote for me cuz i want it" platform.
Isn't she the one who thought pushing back school start times to help more kids make their classes was a brilliant way to prepare out highschool students for real life? All they'll have to to when they have a job is tell their boss they like to stay out late so starting early just doesn't work for them...and their boss will adjust their work times to whatever makes our students happy.
It also makes me shudder at the quality of behavioral health given in Juneau. Giving kids whatever they want is NOT healthy and creates really selfish, entitlement filled adults.
In our world today
there are a great deal of jobs that don't start in the morning. Places that are open late, and even 24 hours, need people for all times of the day, not just 8am. Not being prepared for a morning job is, at this point, a lame argument.
Alaska beginnings
Susan Sargeant, Susan Swift Deer, Destiny Sargeant; Alaska is a place to reinvent oneself, perhaps exactly as people do on this Empire blog. I do not know what a clinical psychologist does but I sincerely hope it has nothing to do with drugging disruptive children; I entirely buy into the description of drugging children as portrayed by Buddy Tabor in one of his songs.
JSD probably does as well as any school district would given society today. Still, the results are extremely poor compared with earlier times. Parents (using the term broadly) drop children off at school very early for breakfast. Children have lunch at school, and then stay long after school and have a snack. I wonder if those children would be better off if JSD built dormitories and kept the children overnight?
I would like to see a comparison of the number of JSD employees per pupil and the amount of square feet of facilities per pupil in 1960, 1980 and now.
Glacier Dog
You might check Wkipedia or a good dictionary to learn what a "Clinical psychologist" is and does. They are not medical doctors and cannot prescribe drugs, as a psychiatrist can do.
Once you discover the meaning the designation "clinical psychologist" your fears may be alleviated.
A vote of no confidence
Based on personal experience from her past service as a BOE member, I will not be supporting Ms. Sargeant for school board. Of course, since it looks like she's running unopposed, that matters very little.
I will continue to take steps for both short- and long-term planning to ensure my child has alternatives to being forced to accept what this district considers fair and equitable educational opportunities.
While I have been a life-long supporter of public education, the board under Mr. Choate's presidency and the district under this administration had me supporting any candidate calling for the dismantling of the Department of Education. Until I see a substantial change (and with the recycling of current and past board members, that seems extremely unlikely), I will do what I have to to protect my family from the destructive and despicable policies of the juneau school district.
Thoughtful and caring
I have been on Parent Group and Site Council committees with Destiny and I think she is a thoughtful and caring individual willing to listen to both sides of various issues. I think the later start time was a good idea for the high school. Destiny will have my vote.
Lulz
"I will do what I have to to protect my family from the destructive and despicable policies of the juneau school district." - Really? What are the despicable policies. I double-dog dare you to name three despicable policies.
"I do not know what a clinical psychologist does but I sincerely hope it has nothing to do with drugging disruptive children." Again, really? Your view of what it takes to run for public office is amazing. Tell me Glacierdogs, what public servitude does your insight come from? I know you're always on here, what do you do for society?
"Isn't she the one who thought pushing back school start times to help more kids make their classes was a brilliant way to prepare out highschool students for real life?" Oh wow! Another great insight into the problems of schools from Juneau's finest.
Here's a better question: How many school board meetings have you been to in the last year, because I've been to a lot. How many hours do you three spend helping kids who aren't your own? What do you three offer to help out this district. If you don't like the district, go get 25 signatures. I can't run for school board because I'm a teacher. The three of you can. Can you get 25 signatures is the real question; my guess is no.
Copenhaver and JnuKara are the only two people who had any substance, and they're met with the ol' "thumbs down" from monosyllabic dolts.
Run for office on your stances of "What's a clinical psychologist" or "I don't know what adolescent development is, but I know kids do best at school at 7:30 AM." You three are the problem with education - apathy mixed with the inability to research your own views.
Have a Nice Day!
Adam Berkey
You GO
...Mr. Berkey! :-)
Mr. Berkey
Thank you for giving your comment. What I liked most was that you didn't use some pseudonym like "DingDongDaddy" or "Glacier Watcher."
I like how you quote statements and then ask question. To me this is what discussions or debates should be.
I respect the Empire's right to let people comment anonymously. But it is refreshing to me to see at times people comment openly and say who they are and then state their opinions.
Support Destiny
Glad to have her back. She is intelligent and cares about all the students. The times were pushed back for high school based on recent studies that it increases overall GPA for high school students. Now, don't bother telling me it has made no difference for your child, studies are based on large scales with thousands of students. There was also the complication that some elementary schools had to start after 9am and go home after 3:45. Buses cost money, not everyone can start at the same time. Destiny, you have my vote.
Mr. Berkey
1. Diversity targets for the oversubscribed optional programs. Many folks are probably unaware that the so-called lottery for the 2 oversubscribed optional programs are actually a carefully monitored selection system conducted in secrecy and at the sole discretion of the administration. This has resulted in an inequitable process that has over-loaded unsupported programs with students who legally should have para educators but don't as well as discriminates against students who aren't as valued by this district.
2. Cutting EL program to bare bones. Research shows that kids on either end of the spectrum need additional resources but this district operates under the assumption that EL students will be fine and a disproportionate amount of funding goes to the other end of the spectrum.
3. Spending scarce resources on the voluntary drug testing program which has resulted in what, exactly? So we cut school nurses but keep this program?
These are off the top of my head ... I'm sure I could come up with more if I put some effort in it.
I didnt disparage Ms. Sargeant. I simply said I would not support her based on my experience dealing with her. My spouse and I felt patronized and misjudged by this administration and the members we had direct dealings with. I am sure they are well-meaning but we feel that the policies they support are discriminatory and, in my opinion, despicable in an organization supported by public monies. I may be guilty of melodrama and i admit I feel very strongly about this issue.
I hope that answered your concerns. Despite my choosing anonymity, I try to adhere to the dictates of civility in this forum.
Spiff
All I see are three reasons to get rid of our current governor. Reasons 2 and 3 are pure funding issues. Reason 1 is a conspiracy theory concocted by, I'd guess, you.
These answers are just off the top of my head. Don't try to justify your anonymity while throwing weak excuses to cover the poor behavior of yourself and others.
I too find the drug testing to be a poor use of funds; I find the entire War on Drugs to be an utter waste of funds. The choice to go to drug testing was due to a vocal outcry from scared parents. Right or wrong, the board did what they thought was best based on input from their constituents.
You have yet to offer solutions.
Adam Berkey
By the way
The drug program costs, if I remember correctly, $30,000. That wouldn't cover the cost of one nurse. Look, I'm not a giant fan of our school board, but you're not even hitting real points. I wonder why the board seeks to hire the most expensive outside administrators. We are paying top price for our administrators, but not seeing happy teachers, happy students, and happy parents. However, none of this matters if we continue to have abysmal voter turn-outs.
I see people arguing over a school board candidate who is running unopposed. Were you so vigilant when Sean Parnell refused to talk about education, but extended legislature so he could continue to push tax cuts for oil companies? If you want to throw in your two bits, put your name on some paper and send your thoughts to the governor. Good luck getting a response. I'm pretty sure he'll only listen to picketing.
Good Night!
Adam Berkey
Mr. Berkey X2
So, your main gripe with me is that I choose to post anonymously? And your response is to attack the character of an anonymous person whom you don't have to treat respectfully simply because I don't put my name to paper. As we can see from your posts, using one's name doesn't guarantee a civil exchange of ideas.
There are plenty of people involved in the lottery program who do know what I'm talking about. I guess they're all wearing tinfoil hats as well. My solution is to make it a true lottery with no special preferences thereby eliminating discrimination based on factors beyond the applicants' control.
Funding is an issue, but prioritizing is the school board's function and their priorities don't match their lip service.
Yes to all your valid points about the Governor and overpriced administrators, especially the ones who come to Alaska to get their high three as well as the ones who, upon leaving, won't have their positions filled - so really, how effective and necessary were they to begin with? Add to that moving ineffective administrators from schools to the central office because we don't want to deal with the fallout if someone was actually fired.
If we actually cared about education, we'd not be one of the 10 states with no pre-K public program. There is no controversy over the research that pre-K programs have a return on investment from a conservative figure of $7 for every $1 spent to $17 for every $1 spent. And that is an enormous and extremely shameful failure on the part of our legislature and governor.
I'm assuming this will be our last exchange since I am not behaving in a way in which you would approve of. Here's to a great day and a weekend of "fish on!"
Spiffy
No, my main gripe is not that you post anonymously. My main gripe is that you are throwing all of your problems on someone running unopposed. As you, yourself, point out:"that is an enormous and extremely shameful failure on the part of our legislature and governor." What does that have to do with Destiny? I don't even know Destiny, but I'd bet she'd listen to your ideas if you put your name on them and proposed them to her.
I dislike that you hide behind your anonymity, but I've done the same. I won't judge you for bad behavior that I've also committed. I don't see what you're attempting to help here. How many emails have you written to the governor? It takes just as long to write to the governor. Before you ask me how many times I've written this week, the answer is once.
Trust me, you can't be disliked more by the Juneau School Board than I am, I called them bigots at a school board meeting last year. I understand going to battle with the board. But I don't know what you're upset about besides a lottery program, which you could easily write a "My Turn" about or a letter to the editor.
Destiny Sargent is not your enemy. Apathetic parents, teachers, and administrators allowing poor practices to go on unnoticed - these are problems. A governor who thinks that free public education (which predates our constitution in this country) is a drain is a REAL PROBLEM. Destiny Sargent is a lady who is trying to give back to her town. If you think she's not the choice for school board, RUN FOR SCHOOL BOARD.
Maybe you could run with the name Spiff. More seats open.
Adam Berkey
P.S. I volunteered at a free lunch program at a church today, and I'm an atheist. What have you been up to?
To Mr. Berkey
Hello. Perhaps, like Spiff, I do not deserve your regard since I post under an assumed name. However, I don't think my parents or students need to see my responses to items in the paper under my own name, as I carefully try to keep politics and personal statements/pressure out of my classroom. My job is to teach concepts, ideas and a love of questioning and learning. Period.
I, too, have seen the "back-door" dealing with the two "lotteries" in our district. I see one program operating in the red while shunning district policies, capping classes at the Board-recommended PTR while 100 yards away in Harborview sits a classroom with 8 over recommended PTR-- with some of those children on the 'waitlist'. Inequity abounds.
The two programs (which I believe are overrated but some parents think 'alternative' means 'better') do not operate under the same transparency as other schools.
It sounds, actually, like you and Spiff have a great deal in common. Instead of belittling him for saying he was dissatisfied with Destiny in the past, allow him to express his opinion as I have seen you do (loudly) in School Board meetings. He did not like the way she voted/worked on the Board. That's his right.
While you are espousing how wonderful you are and how much you are helping the community, you perhaps overlooked that you were alienating someone who cares deeply about public education and you might have better chosen to highlight your similar goals instead of trying to embarrass him or put him down. He was very polite in his posts.
Working together with positive views, we can make things happen.
Back to Berkey
Just re-visited the Empire today and saw your follow-up. I will point out that I do not think posting anonymously is bad behavior. In fact, I think it's an American exercise similar to the printing of anonymous pamphlets that criticized the British government leading up to the Revolutionary War - but that's just me. Don't get me wrong - many folks who post are so obviously lacking in grace and courtesy, not to mention basic grammar skills that nobody would have picked up their pamphlets a second time ... but I digress.
I think AKeducator said it best. I, for one, have a difficult time remembering I am my own worst enemy. In being reminded by AKeducator, I realized we have a lot more in common than we probably think (I'm an atheist too, but do not volunteer at a church) ... so, I hope some day to meet you in person and perhaps work together on some issue about which we both feel strongly. Maybe we can work out a secret handshake so you'll know it's spiff you're talking to.
Until then: "May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields."
Spiff
I wish you no ill-will, and my students would assure you that's not my style. I'm just trying to point out that I need you there in person at meetings. I look like a lone nutball who is too passionate about education. I know I'm not. I talk to parents who want better. I talk to educators who want better. I talk to students who want better.
AKeducator, best to you. I'm sorry you find me to be belittling. Good luck on keeping your politics separate from your job. A lot of people are doing that and we're going nowhere fast. Maybe it's time people took their views a little more seriously and put their name next to them. I'm sure you believe in transparency. I certainly do. It's pretty easy to come after me. Will you go after the board members who make the decisions you find fault with with the same voracity? Or will you keep your politics separate? The politics are most definitely coming into your classroom whether you like it or not - student numbers increase, administrators continue to funnel in from other states to regulate ours, and your governor refuses to discuss changes to funding. When is it okay to bring up your beliefs? Do your beliefs matter if they are kept to you?
To me it seems like I'm doing the youth very little if I'm too scared to admit my true feelings about things. I ask them for truth, why should they be deserving of anything other than truth from me?
Thank you so much for keeping your class so free of political issues. I wonder though, do your students find you to be genuine? Follow up question: How do you know if they don't even know what you stand for?
Fair questions. Hope they're not too belittling.
Adam Berkey