Lokers , Gary - Port Huron
Are you an incumbent?
No
Brief Intro of Candidate
Hello my name is Gary Lokers I'm 39 years old and I've lived in the community my entire life. Throughout this time , Ive been a part of the public school system and now I see my son chart his path thru the system. And I see many flaws. Based on my own experience and now seeing his struggles and experience, And it's many children's experience. Things need to change. Through communication, participation, and thinking outside of the box I hope to add incredible value to the district. Society is changing the workforce is changing, technology is changing. And all the while in school we continue to not prepare kids for the future. We don't ask them the hard questions in life. We fill their days with busy work and task and homework that will not stretch them. It will not prepare them for the future. And it will not get them thinking about their future. Things need to change and it starts with us adults changing first.
Endorsements
Michigan Republican GOP
Top financials Contributors
Website and social media links
None
Gary m lokers for port Huron area school district
How would you engage and include parents, caregivers, community members and students in decision-making in your district around things like curriculum, budgeting and district policy?
Having more open discussions and community input on what bothers them and what is taking a toll on them and their kids.
Social media input and engagement ,stop complicating things. It's quite obvious the struggles of any school district. Get honest and put your best foot forward and stop putting bandaids on things. And stop making decisions solely on doing what the state and federal government says is best for our kids. It's foolish and irresponsible.
What are your thoughts on school discipline and the way it is exercised in your school district? What are your thoughts on restorative practices?
It needs to be taken more serious and parents and children need to know their behavior isn't going to be tolerated. Also I'm quite sick and tired of hearing this in schools. Children being equally disciplined for defending themselves. What does that do for our kids future? Teach them to be a victim and allow people to abuse them ?
Actions that can be taken:
Beginning of the school year. You have an assembly. Letting these kids know. You will be held to a standard. Fail to follow that standard. You will fall under the consequences. Have an assembly with parents. Letting them know their kids actions will fall back on them and the school will follow correct steps if the parents don't handle the situation and take responsibility.
What are your thoughts on how to improve student mental health
Cut the pharmaceutical drugs out and implement proven practices for improving a child's mental health. Stop masking the problem with drugs and start taking action.
What are your thoughts on ways to improve Black student achievement in your district and in Michigan schools overall?
First off stop highlighting peoples skin color. Stop marginalizing our kids. Stop teaching our kids that they are black or white. Those things dont matter and they mean nothing to the real world. People out in the real world achieving massive goals do not focus on people's skin color. Sure racism exist. But stop teaching our kids they get special treatment and special accomodations because of the pigmentation of their skin. Now if you want to talk about how do we improve student achievement as a whole ? That's simple. Start teaching kids things they will use in the real world. Stop teaching them senseless information. That holds no merit to their future.
What are your thoughts on how to ensure that all students and their families, regardless of race, gender identity, sexuality, disability, religion, income status, etc., feel safe and included in your district?
Taking accountability,being responsible and follow thru with things. My son's school district has had issues with racism and death threats and the district did nothing about it. And that's unacceptable. Action needs to be taken and Examples need to be made. We will not tolerate that behavior and you will have consequences.
What are your thoughts on how to recruit and retain staff, particularly staff of color, in your district with regard to pay, benefits, and working conditions?
I personally don't put any emphasis on color. That's what our society does and that why our society is failing . I look at things like character, ability, ethics , and their ability to lead. If a person of different ethnic background checks those characteristics off. Then they are qualified.
But as far as retaining and recruiting. A big factor is pay. But also children being held accountable by administration. Teachers will not stay in a district with kids who are not held accountable and responsible for their actions.