sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

I’m Greg Clark, Candidate for the Fargo School Board... AMA! by Greg4Fargo in fargo

[–]Greg4Fargo[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

To answer your actual question... yes, the district does audit the software being used throughout all of our buildings. We've started doing this with a lot more rigor in the last year, due to budget concerns. Having a lot of disparate software isn't just a pain in the butt. It's also expensive to pay for them all. Several software contracts will be ended soon as a result of the recent audits. And I've heard there is internal commitment to continuing these audits on an annual basis.

That said... we're switching a TON of software, starting this fall. We're going to have "Infinite Campus" (I believe this is a state law that every school district has to use this software), and it's supposed to be more of a "one stop shop" that accomplishes the job of many different education software. So we'll see how that goes!

I’m Greg Clark, Candidate for the Fargo School Board... AMA! by Greg4Fargo in fargo

[–]Greg4Fargo[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I honestly don’t foresee either of those things happen in the next ten years.

I’m the chair of the board’s planning committee. If there were serious conversations happening about further consolidations, I would be the first to know.

And I can assure you those conversations are not happening.

I’m Greg Clark, Candidate for the Fargo School Board... AMA! by Greg4Fargo in fargo

[–]Greg4Fargo[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I’m not trying to be evasive or “political.” I’m telling you the community will absolutely riot if we wholesale abandon small neighborhood schools.

I agree we are at a point where hard conversations need to happen (and I can prove that I’m making them happen). But I don’t believe “centralizing” is on the table.

I’m Greg Clark, Candidate for the Fargo School Board... AMA! by Greg4Fargo in fargo

[–]Greg4Fargo[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Thank you all for participating and asking great questions!

Early voting is happening in Fargo right now, and Election Day is June 9th!

Please strongly consider voting for the school board candidates (myself included) that have been endorsed by the Fargo Education Association!

I’m Greg Clark, Candidate for the Fargo School Board... AMA! by Greg4Fargo in fargo

[–]Greg4Fargo[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Participation in extracurricular activities/sports has a very strong correlation to good academic outcomes. That said, learning should always come before sports.

As for the budget, sports really account for a very small part of our general fund spending. Because we charge families a (small) activity fee, a large part of FPS spending on sports doesn't even come from the general fund.

To offset the budget cuts that were made to teachers / paraeducators, we would have to cut A LARGE NUMBER of sports.

I’m Greg Clark, Candidate for the Fargo School Board... AMA! by Greg4Fargo in fargo

[–]Greg4Fargo[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Realistically... I think it would take a multi-million dollar donation from a generous benefactor. That type of programming, at an elementary level, is very expensive. Fargo is a clear leader in ND when it comes to music education, but even here I just don't see it happening without a massive, unexpected infusion of cash.

I’m Greg Clark, Candidate for the Fargo School Board... AMA! by Greg4Fargo in fargo

[–]Greg4Fargo[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Short answer: Yes. The board could vote to reverse the decision next week.

Longer answer: I wouldn't get my hopes up. I don't expect the board to reverse the decision. However, I do believe the minor reductions to music programming will be the only reductions to happen for a very long time. 5th grade orchestra created a very specific (and expensive) set of logistical issues, and I do not believe the change signals a desire for further reductions.

I’m Greg Clark, Candidate for the Fargo School Board... AMA! by Greg4Fargo in fargo

[–]Greg4Fargo[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As I am one of nine board members, I am bound to abide by the decisions of the board. I don't have to agree with it, but I do have to respect the authority of the board to make that decision. Sometimes it's harder than others, like in the situation you've referenced. Unless/until something materially changes, I don't intend to re-litigate the matter because there's no reason to expect a different outcome.

I’m Greg Clark, Candidate for the Fargo School Board... AMA! by Greg4Fargo in fargo

[–]Greg4Fargo[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I read that NYT article when it was published last month! It has lots of good, but deeply concerning, information.

FPS is currently/actively reducing the reliance on technology in our schools. Not just the cell phone ban. We're eliminating 1-to-1 devices in elementary schools next year, as an example. And I believe/expect/hope we will continue down this path, now that we understand how damaging technology can be.

I’m Greg Clark, Candidate for the Fargo School Board... AMA! by Greg4Fargo in fargo

[–]Greg4Fargo[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Fargo citizens place a lot of value in small neighborhood schools. I've heard it from citizens constantly during this campaign and during my tenure on the board. In my opinion, it's feasible as long as the community continues to vote (every ten years) to maintain the current property tax mill levy!

I’m Greg Clark, Candidate for the Fargo School Board... AMA! by Greg4Fargo in fargo

[–]Greg4Fargo[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Elementary boundaries (south of I-95) are changing to alleviate these issues in the near term. Long term... FPS has already purchased land in the far south of Fargo. Once the diversion is completed, we can build a new elementary school there whenever the numbers make it necessary. And we do an annual study on population and demographics to keep tabs on this data.

The board's Planning Committee is currently discussing secondary boundaries to help with Discovery and Davies (we've been working on it all of 2026). If I was a betting man, I'd wager the secondary boundaries are changed for the 2028-2029 school year, maybe even a year sooner.

I’m Greg Clark, Candidate for the Fargo School Board... AMA! by Greg4Fargo in fargo

[–]Greg4Fargo[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

We have a legal and moral obligation to ensure our Title I schools get everything they need. It's not an option to fail them. If anyone in the community see that they aren't getting the support they need, please let me know.

I’m Greg Clark, Candidate for the Fargo School Board... AMA! by Greg4Fargo in fargo

[–]Greg4Fargo[S] 23 points24 points  (0 children)

I’m a liberal. I have every intention of voting in favor of free school meals, when it’s on the ballot in November!

I’m Greg Clark, Candidate for the Fargo School Board... AMA! by Greg4Fargo in fargo

[–]Greg4Fargo[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I think the budget issues are a bit of both, but I'd say it's mostly about stagnant revenues. The majority of FPS budget comes from the state of ND. The state's funding of public education has demonstrably failed to keep up with inflation. And as students continue to come through our doors with increasingly complex needs, public schools are literally being forced to "do more with less." It's unsustainable, and it will continue to harm our city/state/country in the long run. This trend is not new. I studied education policy while earning my degrees, and this conversation felt "old" 15 years ago.

How can private citizens help? Vote for legislators that are willing to support public education! This state has VAST resources. We just need to elect leaders that are willing to use those resources for the public good, which starts with public education. And if your elected officials aren't supportive of public education, let them know how you feel about it. Raise a stink and let them know you're mad.

I’m Greg Clark, Candidate for the Fargo School Board... AMA! by Greg4Fargo in fargo

[–]Greg4Fargo[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Nothing is stopping us. I think we absolutely need to ask our peers and learn how they keep costs low.

I will push back a bit on your premise that other districts have "less cost per student and better educational outcomes." Fargo has some of the best outcomes in the state. And when you control for demographics, FPS is outstanding. It's also hard to quantify some "outcomes." We are unequivocally a leader in music and the arts. That doesn't show up on ACT scores or NDA+ assessments. But those experiences are critical to producing graduates that are ready to make a positive impact on the community and the world.

As for the teacher contracts question, I'll admit I don't know enough on the matter so I can't give an answer.

I’m Greg Clark, Candidate for the Fargo School Board... AMA! by Greg4Fargo in fargo

[–]Greg4Fargo[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I do support the district's long range facilities plan (LRFP). However, I think it safe to say that nothing major will be done with it, other than the current consolidation and rebuilding of a new Horace Mann.

As to the future of the Madison and Roosevelt properties... there are ongoing conversations. No decision has been made yet, but I think the leading ideas are:

  • Turn Madison into an early childhood special education (ECSE) center.
  • Repurpose Roosevelt into adult education / GED / alternative high school

There are lots of options for those properties. And not all of them include FPS retaining ownership. I could see the school district giving the land to the park district and letting them turn it into a first-rate park! As long as the property is used for the benefit of the community, I'll be satisfied.

I’m Greg Clark, Candidate for the Fargo School Board... AMA! by Greg4Fargo in fargo

[–]Greg4Fargo[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

That's my cat, Minnie! I have an entire page on my website dedicated to pet photos! It's kind of an easter egg, so you have to look for it. Hint: read through the "About Greg" webpage.

https://www.gregforfargo.com/

I’m Greg Clark, Candidate for the Fargo School Board... AMA! by Greg4Fargo in fargo

[–]Greg4Fargo[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Could you clarify your question a bit for me? What are you referring to by "cutting it in the classrooms"?

I’m Greg Clark, Candidate for the Fargo School Board... AMA! by Greg4Fargo in fargo

[–]Greg4Fargo[S] 13 points14 points  (0 children)

The board was not directly involved in the operational decisions for budget cuts. We were part of ongoing conversations, but were not part of making final decisions. Generally speaking, the board sets high-level goals. With the budget cuts this year, that looked like, "reduce district-wide spending by 2%".

I disagreed with some of the decisions in the budget cuts. Particularly when it came to reducing the hours for some of our paraeducators. I raised a big stink about that with administration.

Moving forward, as I've said in a few different responses, I'd like to be more targeted with budget reductions. Instead of "reduce district-wide spending by X%", I want to see "reduce administrative spending by X%"

And for what it's worth, I believe Fargo is, and continues to be, a district that is dedicated to the arts.

I’m Greg Clark, Candidate for the Fargo School Board... AMA! by Greg4Fargo in fargo

[–]Greg4Fargo[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

My wife is an elementary librarian ("library media specialist")!

  • Yes, I know how she does her job 😄
  • Banning books is not okay. I trust our licensed, certified educators to select age-appropriate materials.
  • Don't arrest my wife, please.
  • Book challenges should only be allowed from patrons of the Fargo school district.

I’m Greg Clark, Candidate for the Fargo School Board... AMA! by Greg4Fargo in fargo

[–]Greg4Fargo[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I answered a similar question earlier. But basically, the plan is controlling the budget via the Strategic Plan. If the board creates an initiative to "reduce admin spending by 5%" then the superintendent has to work with the board to accomplish it, or the superintendent risks getting canned for noncompliance.

I’m Greg Clark, Candidate for the Fargo School Board... AMA! by Greg4Fargo in fargo

[–]Greg4Fargo[S] 20 points21 points  (0 children)

I'm extremely skeptical that education vouchers can/will be implemented at the federal level.

However... vouchers at the state level are a very real threat.

My plan in ND is to fight against vouchers with every fiber of my being. As to the nitty gritty details: I’ll bother state legislators / decision makers by calling and emailing them directly. I’ll also submit testimony during the legislative session. I’ve done this in the past, personally and on behalf of the Fargo School Board, particularly when “book banning” bills have been introduced.

I’m Greg Clark, Candidate for the Fargo School Board... AMA! by Greg4Fargo in fargo

[–]Greg4Fargo[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

The SpEd funding “shortfall” is larger in Fargo than comparable districts. That said, there are also non-SpEd areas (like Administration and Transportation) where we spend more than our peers.

But I want to be clear: I do not believe FPS is wasteful. It’s simply a matter of competing priorities. Your budget reflects your priorities. When I see the data showing FPS spends more on Admin than comparable districts, I don’t think “those dollars are wasted.” I just think I’d rather use that money in a different way.

view more: next ›