Politics & Government

Solon School Board Election 2011: Chris Bryant

As part of our election coverage, Solon Patch will provide profiles of each of the candidates for local office

Editor's Note: As part of Solon Patch's local election coverage, we will provide profiles of each of the candidates running for office. These profiles will offer biographical and issue-oriented details about each of the candidates to help you, the voters, make more-informed decisions at the ballot box. We also will have a short video of each candidate that will help you learn more about them.

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Name: Chris Bryant
 

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Age: 39

Occupation: Domestic Engineer (Stay-at-home Dad)

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Education: I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Education with a concentration in Mathematics from John Carroll University. I also earned a Masters Degree in School Administration from John Carroll University.
 

Educational Experience: I was a classroom teacher for 9 years collectively in the Orange City Schools and Euclid City Schools.

Political Affiliation: I view myself as an Independent that leans conservative. Living in the nasty divorce between the two parties is not a fun place to be right now.

Office Sought: Solon Board of Education
 

Previous Political Office Sought or Held: I have never sought a political office.
 

Candidate Statement: In talking to many people in Solon this Summer and Fall, most ask what is my stance? Here is the short answer. My family moved here because of the schools, and I want to ensure that our Solon schools continue to lead the way, as they have, and provide for future generations of Comets so that when they graduate they are either sought after by Universities for further education, or are ready to enter into the world as a model citizen in whatever endeavors they choose. How this is accomplished can become a longer answer.

Funding: I would be VERY proactive in regards to securing either the TPP funds or at least the amount we had received from the state under a new formula. I would explore forcing the State to set out dates beyond, or at least equal to those for which our schools are required to forecast. Right now, all school districts are being forced to live with what could be compared to a variable rate mortgage relationship with the State. It was great when Ohio had a surplus, but as of late almost every district is feeling the squeeze from a brand new set of rules and amounts. Solon was able to weather this storm this past Spring, but it was not automatic, and it also was not an easy road. I would work for a more consistent answer from the State. Last Spring our elected representatives, administration and residents rallied and received a reprieve, but it wasn’t perfect. In fact, it was not equitable across the State, and especially to those communities that have planned with large commercial bases in their city, like Solon. There are roughly 40 districts in Ohio that are similar to us in this way.

The State’s funding formula must be addressed, and I want Solon to be a part of creating the solution. We do a great deal of things right in the Solon school district, and Solon can be a model to other districts. Shouldn’t we want to be part of the funding solution? I feel if we aren’t part of the solution, we may be forced to operate with others’ problems! We need to insure that the lack of planning and failure to address this logically on the part of the State, does not become Solon’s emergency.  

Exceeding Academic Excellence: I think  a major component to the success of our students, is the Solon schools’ ability to plan for what will be demanded of them after they graduate. Our students are offered an amazing myriad of classes, experiences, training with technologies, networking and team building opportunities that is second to none. For those that are willing to engage in these challenges, put forth their best effort and follow through with their responsibilities, the possibilities are truly endless with a diploma from Solon High School. I will continue to push for accountability and support our programs and offerings that enrich and ensure learning and the development of critical thinking. To see proof of how truly amazing our kids are, look at the list of prestigious universities our students are accepted into,  the number of students (238) that earn AP Scholar awards, and the number of students that are recognized as National Merit Semifinalists and National Merit Scholars. While we may have lost the State’s title of “distinction” because they measure for it differently now, I feel very confident in our ability to produce students that not only competing nationally, but also ultimately win. I not only want to see this excellence continued for your children, but for my 7 year old son in the district as well!

New Ideas: I do not think either of these ideas above are unique to me, or exclusive from the others running in this race. So in regards to an original idea I will suggest from my seat on the board, it ties directly to some of my own involvement at Solon City hall.  I would like to foster a closer and different relationship with the city to ensure that new students to our district are residents of our community. With accountability and performance rightfully expected by our residents, it is only right to expect that our schools be using their time, energies and funds on our residents. What many see as a tragic case in Copley where a mother was sentenced to jail time for falsifying her children’s residency, it is really a matter of services provided being stolen by others at the cost of the taxpayers of another city. Only 35% of Solon homes have children in the schools, yet 100% of our residents and businesses pay into our schools. Early last year I spoke to our Superintendant Joe Regano and asked him if the schools would want to share a database with the city to have another layer of accountability to insure our students’ residency. Seeing one of many benefits as another residency tool, and safeguard for taxpayer resources, I then went to council and brought it forward to them. Individually, and with some other residents, we went to many members of our city council to express this as a benefit to our schools and accountability to the residents. I was able to coordinate many residents to come out in support of this legislation, and while it was not an easy or quick process, it finally passed, 5-2. I would hope that this could now be a tool where the schools can insure that we are using our time and resources to educate and provide for only our students.

In closing, the seats on school boards are contested through a nonpartisan election. The elected officials are asked to represent Independents, Democrats and Republicans alike. They are also elected to represent and make decisions impacting those that cannot vote yet, our city’s children who will become the professionals of tomorrow. It would be an honor to represent the residents of Solon, collaborate with our talented staff, and bring my qualifications and accountability to the Solon School Board.


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