This interview is part of a weekly series of conversations with candidates running local government positions leading up to the November 4 municipal election. Its been edited for clarity and conciseness.
SCHNELLE: So why did you decide to run for Pittsburgh School Board?
KARLINGER: I went to Lakeside Elementary and to middle school here, and graduated from Pittsburgh high school. So I had a really great experience through my school. My son is a seventh grader at Pittsburgh Middle School, and he's had a great experience for me, I want to make sure that we can ensure that all the kids that come through, you know, once they're done being a dragon, they know they still have a strong support network, like I've had, for them to turn back to you if they need it.
SCHNELLE: What are your campaign goals?
KARLINGER: Well, so one thing that I think that I'm really good at doing is the recruitment process. I think that's an important part of what we're missing with a teacher shortage as we have it like not just here, but nationwide as well. I think Pitt State is an awesome thing that we have in our backyard, and is the first place we need to go. But beyond that, I think we need to cast a wider net as far as where we look to recruit our teachers from. You know, of course, we have Lawrence, we have Oklahoma, the schools in Missouri, schools in Arkansas, just just a couple hours away from where we're at. So I think if we can go out there and recruit and then bring those teachers back to show off what an amazing town Pittsburgh is, and what an amazing school district USD 250 is, I think, you know, rather than having just a few applicants that we have to choose from, we can really have our pick of the best. So that would be one goal that I have for certain.
SCHNELLE: Is there another one that you want to mention,
KARLINGER: Retainment of students, but I think that really goes along with recruiting the most qualified teacher. You know, teachers retire, teachers move on, so we need to continue to fill those roles. So I think those kinds of play hand in hand a little bit with each other as the students go, the funding goes as well. So we have to be sure to retain all those students.
SCHNELLE: You're the first person that I've interviewed for a post candidate forum. So I was wondering, is there anything that you have taken away from the candidate forum that if you're elected, you want to utilize or be cognizant of?
KARLINGER: You know, in my day job, I'm an investigator, so I like to go into everything that I do with a pretty open mind, to take in the information and then make a decision based on what I found. When you get that group of people together that are invested in Pittsburgh like they are, I think you're going to walk away with good ideas. And I think each person brings a certain something that is good to the table. Specifically, I mean, you're talking about the committees to be formed and everything. I think that's a great idea. You know, I think as a whole, I think there were great ideas discussed and just they deserve being looked into further.
SCHNELLE: Is there anything that you want to accomplish once elected?
KARLINGER: Speaking with teachers, one thing that they keep on telling me about is recruitment, and how we really need to do a better job. So this has come straight from the teachers. There's a certain lack of recruitment that's been going on, and I think that needs to be addressed. I think also our former administration that we had there left a certain amount of distrust, and that's a tough thing to overcome. So I think those who serve the teachers and the support staff need to earn that trust back. And I think so far with the new administration, they've done a good job of doing that, but those are still things that need to be worked on and overcome.
SCHNELLE: Is there anything else that you'd like to add?
KARLINGER: I want people just to take in what they see through the candidates. You know? I think each person is different. Obviously, what I bring to the table is that lifetime experience of growing up right here in Pittsburgh and being a lifetime student of it as well as the investment that I have in raising a child in the district as well. I want to make it the best that we can for not just for him, but for everyone and for the future generations as well.
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