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Scott Sodano is one of three candidates for the Grain Valley Board of Education. He owns and operates Sodano Auto Service, an auto repair shop in Grain Valley. He has also been involved with the Grain Valley Eagles Football Booster Club and is an athletic corporate sponsor for the school district. He is an active member and sponsor of the Grain Valley Wrestling Booster Club and is a member of the First Baptist Church of Grain Valley. He and his wife, Brenda, have three sons.
| 1 What do you feel like is the most pressing state issue impacting education right now? |
The most pressing state issue is budget cuts. Since the feds cut $650 million dollars for school’s state funding this year, there should be concern for what lies ahead in the years to come. |
| 2 What, if anything, do you think she be done to assist students in the failing Kansas City School District? Do you believe suburban school districts such as Grain Valley have any responsibility to helping Kansas City? |
I think our focus right now should be on our community, our students and our schools. |
| 3 What do you hope to accomplish during your term? Do you have any goals for issues you would like to see addressed? |
I think maintaining our good teachers should be at the top of our goals. Our teachers lost some wages last year, some have had to take a second part time job to make up the difference. There was a time when Grain Valleys teachers salaries were competitive with other school districts like Blue Springs, we have lost that completive edge and need to get it back. |
| 4 What do you believe is the best way to deal with Grain Valley’s growth and what do you think will be the next facility need for the district? |
I think the best way to encourage the communities correct growth is directly related to the heath of our schools. The strongest economic engine for our community is the schools. Almost every tax dollar for our schools stays in the local community. School funding goes to pay teachers, administrators, maintenance, food workers, custodial salaries, school and student supplies, transportation costs and various other school needs. Because these tax dollars are spent in the local community they provide income to local businesses. When school employees live and spend their wages in their local community, homes are built and purchased, stores and restaurants are opened to satisfy the needs of the community. Schools sponsor local activities which bring more money into the community. Probably our next facility need will be another high school. |
