When I think of the levels of government in Alaska I think of the Spiderman memes where all three are pointing at each other. In my mind they are all passing the blame, unable and unwilling to accept responsibility for their part in the decision making process. As if they are thinking: there is no way these problems could have been created by the policies I have pushed, it’s someone else’s fault. Or They didn’t give us enough money so we can’t do the full job…

I say something when teaching my own kids or any of their friends unlucky enough to hear my advice. There is 100 percent and there is zero percent there is no in between. What I mean by this is effort – give your full effort to everything you do or you might as well not do it at all. Accept your role in a problem when it arises instead of passing blame. If you aren’t bringing solutions to the table, you are only bringing more problems.

I like to say I am not a politician, I am just a patriot. And while I do not have a better idea I can poke holes in all the proposed solutions. Let’s try this on for size. What is the role of an elected official? To push forward their own agenda, or to write new laws showing how much better they are than their predecessors? Or is it possible that their role is to keep a finger on the pulse of what the voters want, to keep communication open to the public, to listen to the problems people are facing, and the dreams we want to achieve? And then to take that. knowing forward in the way they vote, or propose new solutions.

I may be delusional in hoping my elected representatives would represent the will of my community. Is that too much to ask for? To be informed of why decisions are made, the reasoning behind it, that seems just beyond their grasp. Instead we get answers like: I was forced to make a bad decision, I know what’s in everyone’s best interest, its not my fault its theirs. Or the worst, I don’t know. I am not your child I don’t need to be protected from the world, and the hardships we face, and you are not mine. I expect you to do your job. In a transparent, honest way. Without misleading or blame.

You might be wondering if a specific event has me riled up this way, and while there are many the closing of Campbell STEM Elementary, the only nationally certified STEM school in Alaska has hit close to home. Last year the Anchorage voters approved a bond for capital improvements and deferred maintenance for over $62 million, $12 million of which was slated to fix the roof, boiler, and add secure access vestibule to Campbell STEM.

So here’s the catch, $ 2.2 million of this is Bond Debt Reimbursement. Meaning it is fungible and can be used elsewhere immediately, it literally put a target on the school when asked for closure options. The Anchorage School district is robbing you. They are picking over $ 9 million out of your pocket, while they have their hand open asking for another $70 million, while telling you to look to Juneau for the answer, which is more money.

That’s the whole problem, money, not mismanagement. They didn’t look at the school as a school, or a specialized curriculum but only as a number. That’s not leadership. They couldn’t tell you that it took over five years to get that STEM accreditation. They couldn’t tell you that Campbell had a lower absence than the other three schools it is to be consolidated with. How about that it’s third grade reading proficiency is more than double two of those schools it is to become, and the academic growth in the last year is at least six times higher than all three.

The total savings to close the only STEM school in Alaska is less than one million, but that number goes down every subsequent year to only $40,000 by year five. Losses start at year six, assuming new students don’t enroll in charter schools or homeschooling. Then the losses start sooner. An explanation was expected, but it is not what was received. Instead what was received was notice of school closure announced at the end of the day on a Friday, right before a three day holiday weekend. With the only chance for public comment happening Tuesday. Comment mind you, not questions, not answers, not even a conversation.

Everyone knows STEM is the future, but they don’t know, or care what they hold in their hands. They only see the money, the one time payout of $2 million to take that future away. It makes the job easier right now, but when you take the foundation out from under yourself what can you expect? That foundation being public trust. I call on everyone to do better for our future.

Pay attention to your elected representatives and make noise that’s loud enough to not be ignored, fire them at the ballot box if they aren’t listening. That’s the only way they will be held accountable. To all the elected representatives my message is this: I figure since I started this letter with reference to Spiderman it seems fitting to quote it now, “With great power, comes great responsibility.”

You have the responsibility and the duty to do better for us. You voluntarily took the job, so I expect you believe you have the ability as well. It’s time to prove it. Anything less than 100 percent of your full effort and accountability is the equivalent of doing nothing, and that is unacceptable.

Mike Nield has lived in Alaska 20 years this June. He has three kids enrolled in the Anchorage School District. He has been in business 18 years as a masonry contractor. He enjoys everything outdoors in his spare time.