There are four candidates running for three seats on Upper Arlington City School Board. Pencilstorm asked each of the candidates five specific questions centered around issues that impacted Upper Arlington residents and questions that were being raised by fellow voters. Pencilstorm will be posting their complete and unedited answers individually leading up to the election and reposting all their answers together the last week of October. Answers will be posted in order they're received. Our final candidate, Nicolas Fortkamp, is featured below.

Nicolas Fortkamp
https://fortkampforua.com/

In 2018, the school conducted a safety audit and implemented the recommendations.  Safety continues to be a top priority in our district. What additional measures would you advocate to keep our students and staff safer?
Student and staff safety in our schools is an undisputed priority.  I will advocate ongoing conversations among students, staff, administration, and board members, to continually seek the most innovative, effective safety methods available, including appropriate building features, safety techniques, and policies.     

I will advocate for growing a stronger culture of safety within our schools.  To accomplish this, we must increase dialogue to deepen the trust among students, staff members, and families.  We need to talk about safety awareness and procedures openly, making it a part of student life without overwhelming the students and staff.  By encouraging a safe, trusting culture within our school system, students and educators will be free to focus on positive educational experiences.

What technology projects would you propose as a school board member to better prepare our students for the challenges of the near future?
One of the greatest challenges facing our world today is sustainability.  To better prepare our students, I would propose focusing on technology projects related to environmental and economic sustainability.  Business and industry, including academic institutions, are investing time and resources in the sustainability sector.  Our students need to be equipped with knowledge and experience in sustainable technologies to succeed in whatever paths they choose, as it will ultimately impact their lives, both personally and professionally.

Careers utilizing these technologies, including renewable energy sectors such as wind, hydro, geothermal and solar, and the environmental sciences, will require students with a strong foundation in these areas.  The challenges of the future will need to be analyzed and solved though new technology and perspectives; our students will create a better future by being better prepared.

Between higher property taxes and the cost of students participating in various school activities, the expense of having a student in the school system seems to be ever increasing and can be challenging for some in our community.  What are some ways to lower the cost of our children taking advantage of various activities Upper Arlington schools have to offer?
As a board of education member, I will initiate conversations among school associations, programs, and clubs to enlist their help in finding ways to lower costs for student participation.  By providing discreet financial assistance to students in need, utilizing payment schedules instead of an upfront lump sum, and tapping other organizations for financial assistance, we can help more students take advantage of more activities. 

Finally, from a city and community perspective, a community center could be a catalyst for increased and affordable student activities and programs.  This initiative is still in an exploratory phase, we must utilize spaces currently available in Upper Arlington, perhaps partnering with the city, local businesses and community organizations, to locate affordable, appropriate space for additional student activities. 

What’s the one thing our teachers need to help them be better educators?
I believe teachers would benefit most by having a consistent system relaying an extensive, individual profile for each student, year to year, passed on from one teacher to the next.  I would like to see teachers enter their classroom each year, with a comprehensive understanding and academic history of each child.  If this is done correctly, teachers will be provided the best information to reach and teach each student.  Our teachers are excellent and deserve all the support and financial resources we can afford. 

Everyone at Pencilstorm is a musician. To that end, what would you do to support the arts and music education at all Upper Arlington’s schools?
I believe the arts and music are essential at all stages of learning.  I am a fervent supporter of the arts and music education in our schools and I understand the power they have to enhance all aspects of a child’s education.  I will advocate for integrating music and the arts into nonrelated classes, as a tool to expand the educational experience.  I will support more live performances and hands-on experiences for students, as well as performance partnerships among different age groups, to give a broader, deeper understanding of the arts.  Finally, utilizing our community as a resource, and the high school program, UA IDEA Day, we can share with our students the music and arts from the globally diverse cultures represented in Upper Arlington.         

Pencilstorm would like to thank Nicolas Fortkamp for taking the time to answer our questions.  Learn more about Nicolas at his website: https://fortkampforua.com/. Pencilstorm is an independent news source and does not endorse any individual candidate.

Local UA Politics coverage provided by Wal Ozello. You can email him at Pencilstormstory@gmail.com or try to catch him at Colin's Coffee. 

Check out coverage of all the candidates we've received responses from by clicking here.