"Student government is a crock," says Dimond High senior Kelly Haney. She explains it's not because the body lacks political power, but because the people in student government win based on their connections to powerful, high-profile cliques, and voting decisions are based on popularity."It's a total popularity contest. If you're not a pretty, thin beer drinker, you can't do it," she says. Haney is clearly not into that scene, where sex and drug use are seen as legitimate forms of recreation, and traditional high-school clique social practices run rampant, a grim reminder of the dangers to be found when the shallowest form of acceptable human interaction threatens to become the norm.
Haney may disdain student politics at Dimond, but her commitment to education is strong. "I like to whine about things that bother me," she says, "and one day I was talking to my history teacher and she suggested if I had constructive suggestions I should run for School Board." Haney feels that, if elected, her presence on the Board will add a vital perspective that's been sorely lacking in the past- the student perspective.
Haney has been involved in the Army's Junior ROTC program since she was a freshperson, and is currently serving as Battalion Commander. In this capacity, she is responsible for 130 people, "the best friends I've met in my life, including my boyfriend," she says. Haney feels the leadership skills she's learned are a tremendous asset in all aspects of her life.
"I'm socially conservative but fiscally liberal," she says. When asked about her views on sex education policy, she responded, "Abstinence should be stressed. Most teachers teach `if you're going to have sex, use a condom,' but they should be teaching, `don't have sex.' Stress it more, and people will listen."
"I'm a conservative person, so I don't think books dealing with homosexuality should be in the school library. But if someone's having a problem with it, I think they should be able to get access to it through a teacher or something. Books like that have the potential to corrupt early on through legitimizing the behavior."
Haney would like to see funds directed to lower class sizes. She explains that the Anchorage school district is required to keep its student to teacher ratio at 1:25**, but believes the district is painting a rosier picture through the inclusion of personnel like school nurses in the official figure. She also complains that teachers are forced to buy educational materials out-of-pocket, a sacrifice many teachers are unwilling to make, and wants to establish a fund to provide these materials.
- "... becoming a voting member isn't so easy when you're 18 years old, campaign headquarters is in your parents' house, and your budget consists of a small amount of money picked up on various summer jobs."
A more active parent body is also crucial, she says. "In elementary school, you've got an active PTA and lots of parents are involved. In junior high, you get a big dropoff. Kids are trying to get their parents out of their lives, and parents distance themselves from school. In High School, there's practically no parental involvement except for student-teacher conferences." Haney believes that parental involvement promotes greater educational resources for students, like computers and lower class sizes, and also promotes students' interest in their own education.
As a school board member, she says she will be committed to publicizing gifted, vocational/technical, and other special programs, as well as promoting more parental involvement in the higher grade levels. She also wants to institute a policy of teacher evaluations done by students.
Haney showed up to our interview with a copy of the school district budget, a document she says she's been studying heavily since she decided to run. "It's really complicated," she said, "but I'm studying my butt off to get a handle on all of it." Although she has little experience with political positions or committee work, Haney feels she can do a capable job. Most importantly, she feels she can contribute a viewpoint that has been notoriously lacking on the school board- the student perspective. While student government has some effect on the school board, it's nothing like having a student as a voting member of the body.
But becoming a voting member isn't so easy when you're 18 years old, campaign headquarters is in your parents' house, and your budget consists of a small amount of money picked up on various summer jobs. Her opponent, Joe Marks, is a well-heeled incumbent, with enough money and name recognition to practically guarantee that when most people think of School Board Seat A, they'll think of him.
- Haney feels her guerrilla campaign tactics and grassroots base will make her known, but gaining acceptance as a viable candidate will take a little more work.
Marks has a "stay the course" philosophy. He feels the school board has made strides towards getting the budget under control, and is on the right track in reducing overcrowding. In reference to his campaign, he said, "We're going hard, fast, and furious. It's a capital-intensive project, and money is tough to raise."
"My campaign is being run by high school students," says Haney, "which is kind-of scary, because it's working really well." Most of the funding comes out of her personal savings account, which her parents match. Donations have also been pouring in from other family members and a few organizations around town. Publicity will consist mainly of flyers and whatever news coverage she can attract.
Haney feels her guerrilla campaign tactics and grassroots base will make her known, but gaining acceptance as a viable candidate will take a little more work. "I've gotten a lot of support from the school administration, members of the school board, and Mayor Mystrom, but sometimes it's hard to gauge how people will react," she says. "Many of them think a student's voice would be really valuable, but some are turned off by my lack of experience" What Haney lacks in experience, though, she feels will be equalized by her enthusiasm, perspective, vision, and hardcore commitment to doing the job well.
Career-wise, Haney hopes to attend UAA after she graduates this spring, and major in political science. If she wins the School Board seat, she'll study part-time to allow time for her duties. From there, she hopes to attend law school in four years under the ROTC program, "I give them four years of my life, and they give me an education," says Haney, "It's a good deal."
"But who knows," she adds. "Just four months ago, I wanted to be a fighter pilot."
Epilogue: Haney won the election. Though a narrow victory, she currently divides her time between the School Board and baggage handling for Pricess Tours. -CR