I am a Colorado native and Breckenridge resident since 1987. I raised two sons in the Summit School Distrtict between 2003 to 2024. When my first son enrolled over years ago, Summit had a state rating in the 80th percentile. This was a “Distinguished” rating and top 5% to 10% in the state. By the time my second son graduated last year, the high school rating had deteriorated to accredited with improvement plan.

I know how good our schools can be, and I am committed getting their state rating back to past high levels. Here are my priorities to improve our school system.

Priority No. 1: Academic performance

Put the emphasis on basic academics. Mathematics, language skills and especially reading.

Teach critical thinking and problem solving. Our kids need to think for themselves and learn how to make good objective opinions and decisions. These are life skills.

Priority No. 2: Parental involvement

Parental involvement is essential in student success. The schools must regularly inform parents of their child’s performance, progress and attendance.

Parents, not the schools, are responsible for their child’s behavior and development. The schools must keep parents involved and informed in their child’s education.

Priority No. 3: Safety

We must be certain that our students are and always feel safe from violence. The school administration must constantly review school safety policies and procedures and conduct drills to maintain readiness. Students and families rely on the school administration to keep them safe. Student safety should be the administration’s priority.

Priority No. 4: School district finances

Money does not solve problems, people do. I do not believe that we should spend additional taxpayer money until we are sure of the result.

First, I would require that every line of the current budget be justified by its benefits to the students. Surely there are excesses and unnecessary expenditures. Let’s cut out anything that we can function without and then apply it to teachers and teaching curriculum first. Then, budget accordingly, based on necessity and priority. As a successful realtor since 1989, I understand the increasing tax burden paid by homeowners and renters. I know we can find a optimum cost-benefit balance for school programs.

I am committed to Summit County. I am involved with numerous civic, educational and community activities. One of my passions is music. I am a volunteer music teacher instructing students in guitar, banjo and mandolin. We need to make sure our youth get a background in music and culture. I have been sculpting snow and am active with Breckenridge International Snow Sculpting team. Last year, I taught 93 third graders the basics of snow sculpting.

I am invested in our community and especially our kids. I understand the thankless role as a school board member. I am committed to representing parents and others on the school board to make our schools great again.

Tom Day is a candidate for Summit School District Board of Education. He can be reached at tom@tomdayrealestate.com.