School District 6 board race: David Shaffer

David Shaffer was a math teacher at the junior high for 18 years and taught math and physics at the senior high for 12 years before retiring in 2000. He also taught math at FVCC for several years at night and in the summer months. He also taught physics in California and math in Washington. His 10 children, now grown, who graduated from Columbia Falls and after he retired from here he went on to teach in California and Washington. He was drafted for the Vietnam War when he graduated from college, but got a hardship exemption because he already had three children. He also coached junior high boys and girls basketball when he was in Columbia Falls.

He says that he is running for school board because he wants to help.

“The reason that I am running for the trustee position is that I have a vested interest in our school system where 10 of my children graduated. I just want to be of service to our students, schools, voters and our community. I have no hidden agendas,” he said. “I love our school system, staff and students and I have a drive to help where I can since I do not professionally teach.”

On the issue of partnering with the Boys and Girls Club, Shaffer said he was not aware of the project.

“I am not aware of the school partnering with Boys and Girls club building project, so I have no opinion, until I am made aware as a trustee,” he said.

He said that it would be a good idea to look into building a new elementary school.

“The Glacier Gateway has been around as long as I have been in the District. I recall the demolition of both the Talbot School and the Annex building and when it was done it was long overdue,” he said. “The Glacier Gateway had a renovation to fix the warehouse type windows, which helped with our high cost of heating. It was just a band aide fix. It would be wise to look into making a building that is more conducive to the educational process that is not a flash in the pan, but an effective approach to education.”

Shaffer said he would be in favor of arming teachers, but he is not sure what is happening on the front at the moment.

“In the current climate it would be wise to be safe (to arm teachers),” he said. “In the past, we have had an officer that had duties in the school system. I do not know what is happening now.”