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Mitchell Garrett
Age: 36
Candidate for: Tulsa Technology Board of Education, seven-year term
Birthplace: Houston
Lived in district: 5 years
Job Title/Employer: Vice-president, Gemini Acquisition, Investment Management Company; local ownership partner, Tulsa 66ers; attorney, Garrett Law Office Partner
Married to: Amber Garrett
Number of children/schools they attend(ed): No children
Religious or civic organization affiliations, including any leadership positions: Presbyterian, Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Tulsa Unlimited, Red Cross Volunteer and the Oklahoma Rifle Association.
Registered voter? Yes
Previously sought or held elected office and if so, when and what office? Yes. I ran in 2004 for State House District 23
Highest level of education, name of institution, and year graduated: Juris Doctor, University of Tulsa, 2004.
Why are you seeking this position? As a homeowner and taxpayer in Tulsa Tech District 3, I feel called to be a watchdog of our precious property tax dollars we send our school district. As good stewards, we must not only ensure that the citizens' taxes are spent wisely, but that our school district plans for the future. As a small-business owner, I would be honored serve on the school board and be apart of our children's educational planning. Planning that will bring more and better paying jobs to Tulsa.
What do you believe are the chief responsibilities of a school board member? Local and community control and input are a crucial part of our democracy. For our government to work, we must build, nurture and participate in the workings of government. Although national news and the media is fixated on the current presidential race, I feel it is just as important for voters to be informed and involved in choosing the members of our school board. The school board functions as the overall watchdog of our tax dollars, while they plan and direct the activities that provide our children with a valuable education, which will allow them to compete in a global economy, which benefits everyone in our community.
How much time would you plan to spend in the schools in your voting district on a weekly basis? I plan on spending as much time as that is necessary for me to fulfill my obligation to the voters and children of our district. Although service on the school board is a volunteer position, it is a position of great trust and importance, requiring a major commitment for which I would be honored to hold.
What should the relationship of the school board be to the superintendent? As the day-to-day manager of the Tulsa Tech system, the superintendent is accountable to the taxpayers through oversight provided by the school board. The school board determines the budget, policy and planning priorities of the district, and they depend on the superintendent to implement and carry out the established goals.
What are the greatest strengths of the school district? Our greatest strengths of our Career Tech system are the students, as well as the dedicated instructors. Whether still in high school preparing for an apprenticeship program or someone in their 40s learning additional skills to earn a promotion to advance their career, students are the customers the Tulsa Tech system must always work to serve and better. The students are the ones that will be a part of driving Oklahoma's economy in the future.
Great teachers are the key ingredients in preparing a well trained work force. A Career Tech system without quality teachers will not be able to train and educate a quality work force.
What are the greatest weaknesses of the school district? The challenge of always moving forward, and maintaining our cutting edge at Tulsa Tech must be a driving force on the Tulsa Tech School Board of Education. As Will Rogers once said, "When you are through changing, you are through." Tulsa Tech must always battle the constant temptation of resting on our past accomplishments. The Tulsa Tech system was founded on the philosophy of assisting students who are interested in bettering and helping themselves. Our greatest weakness is to be tempted by complacency and indifference. We must always challenge ourselves and push Tulsa Tech towards the careers that will enable Tulsans to enjoy a great quality of life, by being able to compete in a global economy.
What changes and/or new initiatives, if any, would you like to see in Tulsa Public Schools? Oklahoma's prosperity is linked to the quality of our work force, which is why I am focused on making sure a modern vocational training system is our top priority. It is more important now than ever before to have a well-developed, modern and flexible vocational training system, something I am committed to working for on your behalf.
As families struggle ever harder to afford the traditional college education and as demand grows for skilled U.S. workers in fields such as aviation mechanics, computer technology, electronics, and trades ranging from culinary arts to construction, the need for managing and growing a top tier Career Tech System is vital to Tulsa's future. College is not always the answer for everyone's future, but solid training and great skills are the key to achieving a high quality of life.
In order for our children to compete, Tulsa Technology Center must be at the intersection of new technology and the global economy. The economy is changing, and as a member of the school board, I will focus on Tulsa Tech leading the way in a high technology changing workplace, so that Tulsa Tech will continue to grow and be successful.
Include any other comments about the district here: A modern and competitive Career Tech system is not a luxury; it is vital to our community. To remain competitive in a global economy, our Career Tech system must always be on the cutting edge. As a United States Marine, I learned the value of quality training and the necessity of being dedicated to completing your mission.
As your Tulsa Tech School Board representative, I will make sure Tulsa Tech embodies that same attitude towards building a strong and well-trained work force. A top-notch work force is crucial to Tulsa's competitiveness and productivity.
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