Andrew Younger (Fenton Area Public Schools, At-large, Michigan, candidate 2024)
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Andrew Younger ran for election to the Fenton Area Public Schools, At-large in Michigan. He was on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024.[source]
Younger completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
[1]Biography
Andrew Younger provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on November 3, 2024:
- Birth date: April 22, 1977
- Birth place: Flint, Michigan
- High school: Flint Southwestern Academy
- Bachelor's: University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, 1999
- Graduate: Loyola University Chicago - Graduate School of Business, 2007
- Gender: Male
- Religion: Presbyterian
- Profession: Executive Director
- Incumbent officeholder: Yes
- Campaign slogan: Let's Keep the Momentum!
- Campaign Facebook
Elections
General election
General election for Fenton Area Public Schools, At-large (2 seats)
The following candidates ran in the general election for Fenton Area Public Schools, At-large on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | ||
| Brian Eltringham (Nonpartisan) | ||
| Dana Jones (Nonpartisan) | ||
| John W. Jordan (Nonpartisan) | ||
Ky Orvis (Nonpartisan)  | ||
| Laura Setzke (Nonpartisan) | ||
| Andrew Younger (Nonpartisan) | ||
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Election results
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Younger in this election.
Campaign themes
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Andrew Younger completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Younger's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I’m a proud Fenton Resident, husband & father of twin girls who currently attend AGS Middle School, and attended State Road Elementary.
At work, I’m the executive director of the Flint & Genesee Chamber, where I help small & local businesses throughout our county grow and thrive. My wife & I chose to move to Fenton specifically because of the quality of the Fenton school system. I’m also the beneficiary of a strong public education experience, and my mother and grandmother were teachers. I believe in the power of our public schools to shape our students into successful, productive adults. I joined the Fenton Schools board because I want to play an active role in the education and success of my girls and every single other student in the Fenton School system.
My role as a board member has been an amazing learning experience. I have met and heard from students whose creativity, intelligence and accomplishments will take them far wherever they go. I have met dozens of dedicated teachers, staff and volunteers, and learned about programs we offer that I had no idea existed. As a dad of Fenton students, as a school volunteer, and as a citizen of our community, I take the success of every one of our students personally. I apply that same level of dedication to our Board, to ensure that our entire Fenton Schools system is provided with the guidance and resources needed to keep moving forward. That’s why I want to continue the work that I started.- SCHOOL BOND: I am proud to have played a role in the successful passage of the zero-mill-increase 2023 Fenton Schools Bond. The funds from this bond will increase teaching & learning space at every school, improve student comfort & health with air conditioning in school buildings, update athletics & arts facilities, improve technology, and more. I am committed to helping facilitate the implementation of these additions and improvements. This will help us remain competitive with other schools throughout our state & country, preparing our students for success wherever they go and whatever they do.
- OUTSTANDING STUDENT PERFORMANCE: Our students consistently score higher than just about every school in the region. This is no accident. The current School Board is keenly focused on the success of students at all levels and abilities. With a strong vision and strategic plan, we are able to govern our administration with attention on enriching and preparing our students for fulfilling lives. As a result, Fenton is currently a "destination school" for outstanding teachers & staff, as well as for students around the region, with a significant percentage of our students living outside the Fenton district. I want to remain a part of this outstanding governance team, and continue preparing our students for success.
- KEEP THE MOMENTUM: We have so many great things happening in Fenton Schools, with outstanding academic, athletic and arts programs. In an era when many schools struggle to attract teachers, our district has our pick among the best, who know what a great district we are. We cannot allow ourselves to become distracted by the many current-day political and social issues over which we have no control at the School Board level. School boards are no place for single-issue activists. Educating our children is a very complicated business, and I pledge to educate myself on every issue that comes before the board, to ensure that I'm making the best decision for the success of our students and district.
I believe it is my duty as a School Board member to be passionate about any policy, challenge or opportunity having to do with the preparedness of our students for success. Educating our students requires a broad range of understanding of school policy, organization, and pedagogy. I am not an expert in any one topic, nor do I bring an agenda on any single issue to my role on the school board. Instead, I focus on making school policy decisions that allow our administrators and teachers focus on their jobs without being distracted by outside influences.
The easy answer is Jesus Christ. He was passionate about helping others - especially the least among us. He was also not afraid to challenge systems, leaders and actions that he saw as unjust.
Not any single book, but I draw from my faith and the teaching to "treat others as I wish to be treated" to guide me in my decisions.
An elected official should have the long-term best interest of their constituents at heart. While the principles and morals of that leader should be solidly based, there needs to be a willingness to learn and understand what is being asked of them. Government at any level is a human endeavor, and will always have flaws. It is rare for a policy to be an unconditional "win" for everyone. An elected leader must be able to stand by whatever decisions he or she makes, and point to their values and base of knowledge to justify their decision.
I am a very empathetic person, and I believe in equitable opportunities. I am willing to put myself in the shoes of others, and do whatever research is needed to inform myself about decisions and policies before me.
The core responsibilities of the Fenton Schools board are to:
- Provide direction, oversight, and evaluation of the Superintendent;It is critical that a school board member understand and be willing to work within the structure of the office. This office has a range of duties and roles. It's also important to understand what is NOT part of the school board's duties or within their authority. All board members must believe in the value they are creating in their role, and be willing to work with colleagues of all opinions to provide the services required of them, with the best interests of students as their guide.
- Set school policies that ensure the district remains in compliance with local, state & federal laws;
- Ensure that the school's finances are in good short-term and long-term health
- Determine student disciplinary measures where expulsion is a consideration.
- Work with administration and teachers to pass contracts that properly compensate them for their work while keeping the district financially sustainable.
I want Fenton Schools to be recognized as the best school in our region and state.
I remember Ronald Reagan being re-elected. I was 7.
I worked for my father, who was an interior designer and had a furniture studio. I learned how to carry heavy objects up and down stairs -frontwards and backwards. I worked there for two summers, delivering furniture and landscaping. It was enough to buy my first mountain bike.
Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, by Tom Robbins. I don't think this was the intention, but the book inspired me to re-connect with my childhood church.
I think Aragorn from the Lord of the Rings trilogy is pretty fantastic - someone with strong principles, loyalty, honor and skill.
Don't You Forget About Me (Simple Minds)
I have a hard time sitting still for too long. I have struggled when I had to learn something all on my own, but excel when learning and working with teams and in groups.
As I mentioned above, the primary job of every Fenton Schools board member is to:
- Provide direction, oversight, and evaluation of the Superintendent;While this is a relatively simple list of directives, it requires a significant amount of time and effort to learn the factors and implications of each decision we make.
- Set school policies that ensure the district remains in compliance with local, state & federal laws;
- Ensure that the school's finances are in good short-term and long-term health
- Determine student disciplinary measures where expulsion is a consideration.
- Work with administration and teachers to pass contracts that properly compensate them for their work while keeping the district financially sustainable.
The Fenton school board's primary constituents are our students and families. When we make sure our students are taken care of and are prepared to be successful adults, the rest falls into place. Every decision we make as a board should be measured against whether it will improve our students' success in the long term.
I believe there is no single "best way" to educate every student in our district. I am proud of the many different programs we are able to offer. These include advanced placement and college-level courses for high academic achievers, trades programs for hands-on learners, special education that caters to those with unique and special needs, and even an alternative education program - Fenton Horizon Academy - for those who learn best outside the confines of a traditional learning system.
These programs are a reflection not only of our students but our community as a whole. We are an ever-changing community, and education is an ever-progressing profession. We are constantly learning new best practices and accessing new data that illuminates how we can achieve better results. As a board member I support our district having staff who are able to recognize those needs and are willing to introduce new methods to reach our students with the learning styles that best suit them.
These programs are a reflection not only of our students but our community as a whole. We are an ever-changing community, and education is an ever-progressing profession. We are constantly learning new best practices and accessing new data that illuminates how we can achieve better results. As a board member I support our district having staff who are able to recognize those needs and are willing to introduce new methods to reach our students with the learning styles that best suit them.
As a member of the board's Public Relations subcommittee, I have participated in a new series of non-official meetings open to the public, called Coffee Talk. This has given board members the opportunity to hear people's concerns and express our thoughts outside the confines of an official board meeting.
In addition to our board meetings being open to the public, I also support the live streaming of these meetings, to ensure that as many people as possible have the opportunity to see what we are doing, hear what decisions are being made, and understand why.
In addition to our board meetings being open to the public, I also support the live streaming of these meetings, to ensure that as many people as possible have the opportunity to see what we are doing, hear what decisions are being made, and understand why.
A good teacher is one who inspires curiosity and an interest to learn the subject they are teaching. Teachers must be not only knowledgeable on the subjects, but passionate about sharing that knowledge in a way that is relevant to the students. Teachers also need to be able to recognize when a student is struggling or could use additional opportunities, and point them to the right resources. Fenton Schools offers a range of curricula that fits the needs of many different learning styles, and I support the exploration of new ways as they are developed and discovered.
Given advancements in technology, I want to see our students learning how to use technology in ways that help them do things better. Our students will be facing a job market that places a premium on a strong level of technical ability, in every field.
I also feel passionate about providing students with opportunities to expand and challenge themselves as humans, through the arts and athletics.
I also feel passionate about providing students with opportunities to expand and challenge themselves as humans, through the arts and athletics.
I believe strongly in the power of financial forecasting, to help us prepare for what is to come in the future. Our sense of demographic trends give us a strong tool to understand what to expect in the coming years in terms of enrollment numbers, which affects revenue and expenditures.
I also believe that we can do an even better job attracting students from other districts, and will continue to reach more from outside of Fenton. We have so much to offer and will have even more as Bond Projects are completed. This gives us a lot to highlight, from our academics, to our arts, to our strong athletics programs.
I also believe that we can do an even better job attracting students from other districts, and will continue to reach more from outside of Fenton. We have so much to offer and will have even more as Bond Projects are completed. This gives us a lot to highlight, from our academics, to our arts, to our strong athletics programs.
My wish is that students never have to think about safety issues. Any thought or worry about safety is a distraction from the main goal of learning and preparing to be a successful adult. At this time in our history, school safety weighs heavily on administrators, teachers, public safety officers, parents and students. I believe a strong combination of structural safety measures in school buildings, combined with the presence of School Resource Officers, are big steps toward preventing safety issues. I also believe these measures have to be taken with a balance of practical effectiveness while not being too obstructive or so visually obvious that they create distractions in themselves. Thankfully we are able to work with experts both in architectural design and school safety to ensure our students are safe and free to learn.
For our students, it is important to have staff on hand that are trained social work and counseling professionals, to help address mental health needs. It is also important to train teachers to recognize when a student requires additional support or intervention.
For our faculty & staff, it's important to have a positive and supportive culture that helps them feel welcome, recognized for their abilities, and able to do their jobs to the best of their ability. It's also important to offer a benefits package that allows for access to mental health professionals when needed.
For our faculty & staff, it's important to have a positive and supportive culture that helps them feel welcome, recognized for their abilities, and able to do their jobs to the best of their ability. It's also important to offer a benefits package that allows for access to mental health professionals when needed.
I don't feel strongly about any policy that I want to change or implement at this time. I believe my job as a board member is to be responsive to the needs of our students, while keeping the district compliant with local, federal & state laws. Any policies we implement must be passed in a way that avoids the possibility of loss of funding or litigation. I also believe that the school board is not a place for activism of any cause other than those that support the development of our students.
Before anyone is ready to learn, the basics of human comfort and safety must be addressed first. If students don't feel safe, haven't had enough food, or conditions are unhealthy, they won't be in a good position to learn. Students need to feel recognized and welcome in their school and classroom. Their teachers must be not only knowledgeable on the subjects, but passionate about sharing that knowledge in a way that is relevant to the students. Teachers also need to be able to recognize when a student is struggling or could use additional opportunities, and point them to the right resources.
I believe that at the time, our district's policies were in line with doing what was best for students. Given the amount of time where levels of contagion and severity of the virus were unknown, mask wearing seemed to be the best policy. With the passage of the Bond in 2023, all schools will soon have improved ventilation systems designed to exhaust air at an increased rate, reducing the chances for contagion of airborne diseases.
As a parent of students in the Fenton Schools, I find myself attending many school events and engaged in school activities. I have met many parents this way and have connected with them on the shared interest of our kids' success. As stated above, I also invite any parent to join us at school board meetings and our Coffee Talk events. I also welcome any dialogue, with my ayounger@fentonschools.org email being the best way to contact me.
As a school board member, I have been proud to participate in the interview and selection process for the recent hire of one of our school principals. Our administration did an excellent job recruiting many highly qualified candidates. After a thorough, multi-step interview process, that school's teachers were invited to sit in on presentations of the three finalists. Their input was factored into the decision, which has resulted so far in a very positive relationship with their new principal.
I believe strongly in financial transparency and the accountability of our school district to the public. Since I have been on the school board, our district has invested in an application that gives the public full access to Fenton Schools information on finances, student success and personnel decisions, dating back at least five years. This is easily accessed from the fentonschools.org home page, with a prominent tab in the upper right corner.
I also believe it's important for the public to know what advancements and plans are in store for the district. When it comes to the projects completed, underway and planned that have been made possible by the Bond, our board has worked with the administration to ensure that information is readily available. This is also easy to find from the fentonschools.org home page, with a tab in the upper left, named "Bond Projects."
I also believe it's important for the public to know what advancements and plans are in store for the district. When it comes to the projects completed, underway and planned that have been made possible by the Bond, our board has worked with the administration to ensure that information is readily available. This is also easy to find from the fentonschools.org home page, with a tab in the upper left, named "Bond Projects."
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Footnotes
