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Baker announces AASB campaign

Altoona resident is former high school teacher

Baker

Mike Baker has announced his campaign for the Republican and Democratic nominations for the Altoona Area School Board.

He is a lifelong resident of Altoona and works as a curriculum and innovation consultant for Central Intermediate Unit 10, which serves Centre, Clearfield and Clinton counties.

Before joining CIU 10, Baker taught at Altoona Area High School for 19 years. In addition to his teaching duties, Baker served as language department chairman, instructional coach and faculty president.

As a technology liaison, Baker spearheaded many initiatives, including the Google Suite, a district wide curriculum mapping system and the high school 1-to-1 device implementation.

He was a member of numerous district wide committees.

The Elm Street resident serves as the AAHS marching band percussion instructor.

He is a 1990 AAHS graduate and a 1996 Penn State graduate with a degree in secondary education. He lives with his wife, Wendi, and his son, Michael, a senior at AAHS. His daughter, Emily, is in her sophomore year at Slippery Rock University.

“For me, it starts and ends with learning. Every decision a school director makes should be framed around one question: ‘How does this help our students achieve?'” a statement from Baker read.

“Certainly, other questions will arise. ‘How do we pay for this?’ ‘Can this program be sustained?’ ‘How do we measure success?’ The answers to those questions can be difficult. Ultimately, a school director must vote in the best interest of students,” Baker stated.

Baker plans to help end division on the school board.

“Sadly, political infighting has fractured not only the school board, but the community as a whole. Those I speak with — Republicans, Democrats, Independents, parents, teachers, students, friends — are embarrassed by the constant arguing, the negative news stories and the seemingly toxic culture that exists on the current board,” his statement read.

“The school directors must work in concert to restore the community’s trust. I will work tirelessly to bridge the gap that exists between the AASD and its numerous stakeholders.”

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