Andrew Benjamin Caudill
Prior offices
Washoe County School District Board of Trustees District C
Andrew Benjamin Caudill was a member of the Washoe County School District Board of Trustees in Nevada, representing District C. Caudill assumed office in 2019. Caudill left office on June 25, 2021.
Caudill ran for election to the Washoe County School District Board of Trustees to represent District C in Nevada. Caudill won in the general election on November 6, 2018.
Caudill completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2018. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2018
- See also: Washoe County School District elections (2018)
General election
Three seats on the Washoe County Board of Trustees in Nevada were up for general election on November 6, 2018. The primary election was held on June 12, 2018.
General election
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
- See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Andrew Benjamin Caudill participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on May 15, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Andrew Benjamin Caudill's responses follow below.[1]
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
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1.) Protect the rights of parents, parental rights are non-negotiable
2.) Spend taxpayer money wisely, the public expects taxpayer money to go towards the educational experience of the students, not on administrators and their luxuries
3.) Value teachers and other staff that make a direct impact on our students. Resources should be allocated into areas that directly affect the students.[2][3]
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What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?
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Elected officials must protect the rights of individuals. If elected, I will focus on individual rights and being an advocate for the taxpaying public. The bureaucracy of this school district is ignoring the rights of parents and taxpayers while devaluing teachers. We need to put the people back in charge again.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[3]
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Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Andrew Benjamin Caudill answered the following:
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow and why?
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I look up to the men in my church. I would like to lead by example in the areas of integrity, hard work, and commitment to those around me.[3]
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Is there a book, essay, film, or something else that best describes your political philosophy?
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I enjoy reading our leadership and influential leaders.[3]
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What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
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Commitment to your word and integrity. This is the season for election year rhetoric and false promises. Candidates should be held responsible for their words.[3]
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What qualities do you possess that would make you a successful officeholder?
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I have a heart of service to the people that I would represent. This is not about me, it is about all of the parents and taxpayers in the district I am running for. I will work every day to do what is best for them and I will work to protect their individual rights. Parents have the right to raise their own kids within their own family structure with their own values. Taxpayers have the right to see their hard earned money spent responsibly within the educational framework of this district.[3]
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What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
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School board members hold the school district accountable to the people. As soon as the board starts ignoring the will of the taxpaying public, they are out of bounds and should be voted out of office. This is so important because the children in our schools are trusted to the schools by parents, but the will of the parent does not disappear during that time. Parental rights are non-negotiable. The school board is responsible for allocating taxpayer money to the classroom to support the educational experience of the students. Taxpayer money should never be removed from the classroom in favor of the pockets of administrators.[3]
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What legacy would you like to leave?
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I would like to leave a legacy of service to the people without letting my core values be compromised. I want to be remembered as a trustee that never forgot who elected me.[3]
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What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at that time?
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I was in 8th grade on September 11, 2001. I was riding the bus to school and my bus driver listened to the radio. That is when we learned our country was under attack. The parents in our school district trusted the teachers to explain to us what is happening. That is the type of trust we should have between the community and our schools[3]
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What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
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My parents had me start working at the age of 14 and I've been working ever since. I made subs at Cousins subs. I had the job for about a year before I moved into a different part-time job.[3]
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What happened on your most awkward date?
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The girl talked about the other guy[3]
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What is your favorite holiday? Why?
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Christmas because Jesus was born[3]
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What is your favorite book? Why?
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Anything to do with leadership[3]
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If you could be any fictional character, who would you be?
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
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Peace and quiet after a hectic day[3]
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What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?
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Provide the best educational experience possible for the students. Represent the community in decisions[3]
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Who are your constituents?
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Parents and taxpayers in District C (northern part of Washoe County)[3]
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How would you support the diverse needs of your district’s students, faculty, staff, and community?
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Hear everyone out and it is important not to rush to a decision until all are heard. Even if people don't agree with the decision, it is still important they felt there was an opportunity to be heard.[3]
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How will you build relationships with members of the broader community? Which groups, organizations, stakeholders will you specifically target?
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Go talk to them and invite them to come talk to me. Constant communication is how we build up trust[3]
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What will you do to build a better relationship with parents in the district? What plans do you have to be inclusive of parental involvement?
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First I will push to move at least one meeting a month to the evening at different schools in the district. This gives parents an opportunity to come see us. Second, I would like to hold town halls in the community so parents and taxpayers can come see me and ask different questions. If I win, I want to be visible in the community every year, not just election year. That is not how to build trust.[3]
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Do you believe it is important to intentionally recruit with the aim of diversifying the district’s faculty, staff, and administration? If so, what would be your policy to achieve this?
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Diversity is great and it is important to have diversity but it is also important to have the best. We need to work with all stakeholders to make Washoe County a destination for teachers. Students graduating from the University of Nevada have the opportunity to stay in Washoe County to teach. We need to make sure the best of these students is kept here.[3]
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What issues get in the way of quality education? How would you address these obstacles?
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Burdening teachers with administrative tasks as well as low morale in our teachers. We need to value our teachers. If the district has to increase class sizes to save money, the district should not increase the general administration by $6 million. If the district cannot afford enough books for our teachers to use then the district should not be spending money on luxuries for administrators such as taxpayer funded cars. Our focus and priorities should go into the classroom to support the education of the students.[3]
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What constitutes good teaching? How will you measure this? How will you support advanced teaching approaches?
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I am not a teacher so it is not appropriate for me to define good teaching. Board members need to hear from everyone on the best approaches to teaching. We need to hear from the teachers as well as other experts in the field. The board must never operate in a silo because communication is so important. It is hard to support teachers if the board does not talk to teachers. The board must be in the schools talking to as many teachers as possible.[3]
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What type of skills should students be learning for success in the 21st century?
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Technology is important but we cannot lose sight of life skills. Students today are more likely to sit in front of a tablet than they are to be outside playing with friends in the yard. People skills and communication skills are still important today, but technology is making it easier to get by without using those skills. However, I do not support social and emotional learning and the assessments that come with it because it infringes on the rights of parents.[3]
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How might you improve the value of a high school diploma? What should a 21st century diploma reflect?
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Students need real world experience in high school. If students are going to be college bound their education should be strictly academic and focus on rigorous academic skills that prepares them for college. However, not all students will go to college. The trades are another great career path. Students on this path should be given the opportunity to obtain apprenticeships so they can learn the skills needed. These jobs pay well with great benefits. Other students may want to join the military. These students should be given the opportunity to focus on these skills too, such as leadership, physical fitness, cognitive development, and mental toughness. We need to start thinking outside the box in our educational system.[3]
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In what areas would you like to expand curriculum? For example, do you see a need for advanced technical training or apprenticeships? What sort of innovative programming would you advance if given the opportunity?
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The curriculum should assist students in achieving their goals. College bound students should be a rigorous academic curriculum that prepares them for college. Apprenticeships should be available for those looking into the trades. Other internships should be recommended to give students experience. Too many students leave high school without the skills necessary to achieve their own goals. Too many schools don't give students much of a choice. However, all students should receive a basic education regardless of their goals and path.[3]
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What strategies or plans would you advance to ensure the schools are properly funded?
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Money must go into the classroom. If we are not able to fund the classroom 100% as well as other services that directly impact our kids day to day then I will not support high administrative salaries and other perks for administrators such as taxpayer funded cars.[3]
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What principles drive your policies for safety in schools?
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The building must the structurally safe. People should not able to access a school without school personnel being aware. Classrooms should be secure with bullet resistant doors and windows in the event of a shooter the teacher is able to lock down the classroom keeping all students and staff safe. Arming teachers is complicated and needs a lot of thought and conversation before it happens. Teachers and staff should never be forced into handling a gun. Making the buildings structurally safe should be the first step.[3]
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How might you support the mental health needs of students/faculty/staff?
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We need counselors in the schools. These professionals deal with the mental health needs of our students as well as staff if necessary. We don't have enough counselors. We need more counselors, less administrators.[3]
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What role do you imagine technology playing in the classroom in the future? How would you prepare the district for this?
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We need to be careful in letting technology drive the way we educate our students. We need to be sure we use technology in a responsible way that assists us in preparing students for their future goals.[3]
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See also
External links
