Tim Pollis, 2013 Richfield School Board Candidate

With seven candidates vying for just three seats on the Richfield School Board this election, Richfield Patch asked candidates to fill out a questionnaire to aid voters in their decisions.

See what candidate Tim Pollis had to say below:

Have you ever held an appointed or elected office before?

No.

What relevant experience do you have?

I taught HS math and coached HS track for a year. While pursuing my PhD in Math, I was a teaching assistant for a wide variety of math/stats classes and class sizes. So I have some classroom experience and some understanding of what it is like to be an educator.

My background in math led me to working as an actuary, almost exclusively in a consulting environment. The actuarial skills that will translate to service on the board are being able to learn things quickly and having an understanding and ability to quantify the impact of a proposed action.

Further, the consulting experience has shown me that it isn’t enough to find a right answer-the right answer has to be explained to a broad group in a way that allows them to see it as the correct course of action. The failure to deliver on the explanation for a course of action isn’t acceptable.

Lastly, I have committee and board experience. I have a number of years of service on professional committees through the actuarial society (mostly on the educational side of our profession). I have also served on the Board for Richfield Baseball since 2008. I have also coached and supported a number of teams of kids of all ages.

What is your occupation?

I am an actuary.

Where did you go to school? 

I earned a PhD in mathematics from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1999. I earned a BS in Mathematical Sciences from Villanova University (PA) in 1992.

How old are you?

43

Do you have a spouse, children or any other family members you’d like to tell voters about? 

My wife has a Masters in Special Education with a focus on Learning Disabilities, and has worked as a reading specialist and tutor. My son is a 9th grader at RHS and my daughter is a 2nd grader at Sheridan Hills.

What are your campaign goals?

My first goal and motivation for running was to increase the direct representation of District parents on the Board as only one current Board member has children still in the District.

I haven’t run for an office before, so another goal is to get my name out to voters and try and convince them that my energy and thought process could be put to good use in service to the Board.

What issues are you most focused on?

Short term, I am focused on the hiring of a new Superintendent and the increased enrollment at K-5 possibly creating a need for another school.

Longer term, the main issues I see are:

1.     The funding pressure. The district needs to be creative with the funding it has, and needs to demonstrate to the community that it is making good choices with the funding it does have. If the District needs more, it has to be clear in demonstrating that need and the implications of not meeting it.

2.     Closing the Achievement Gap. We need to keep momentum going on closing this for the long-term good of the students affected and the community.

3.     Making our schools the active, and not passive, choice of every family in the District. We need to highlight the successes that we have already so that families that are currently opting out via open enrollment choose to stay. For those who never considered other options, we want these families energized about the choice to stay so they remain active and supportive of their child’s education.

Why should voters choose you?

• Candidates for Richfield School Board Race Finalized
• School Board Members Undecided About Election
• League of Women Voters Showcases School Board Candidates Saturday
• No Richfield School Board Candidates from City's Northern, Western Sections