MATTAWA - Jay Scott is running for a position on the Wahluke School District board of directors in the Nov. 8 election, and he has no particular axe to grind.

"I just want to do my part and further serve the community," he said recently.

Scott is the Wahluke Schools site director of the 21st Century Program, an after-school student enrichment effort. He is not an employee of the district.

Scott is vying for one of two board seats that is being contested. His opponent is Cynthia DeVictoria. The other seat is being contested by Lorraine Jenne and Seth Weeks.

Scott has been serving all of his adult life. He is a veteran of the United States Navy.

"It made me respect where I live more, my country more," Scott said.

Scott involves himself in community events. He helped with Hot Desert Nights in Desert Aire and Mattawa Communities Day this summer.

Scott supports the programs that exist in the district today, including Superintendent Aaron Chavez's push toward teaching English through immersion.

"He wants teachers speaking English to their students at all times so they can model it," Scott said. "He wants the students to hear English spoken properly."

Scott said that does not mean educators want to take any student's Spanish away. Two of his own children are learning Spanish, by choice, in Pasco.

"There is a huge language barrier, especially at the lower grades," Scott said. "If they don't learn English, how are they going to pass the (state-mandated) tests?"

As for the business of schools, Scott believes his business degree and his experience managing the $5 million 21st Century budget will serve him well. He said he likes to operate on the side of frugality.

"We look at our budgets weekly to see where we have to watch our spending and where we need to shift spending," Scott said. "We always keep a certain percentage in reserve for a rainy day."

Scott said he experiences a budget rollover every year. He said he was able to buy eight iPads, for student use, at the end of last year and still have a budget surplus.

Scott bought the iPads because of a belief Wahluke students should not be left behind technologically. As a board member, he would speak loudly and often on the matter.

"Technology is always changing, and that is the world of these kids," Scott said. "We have to help them keep up."

One social challenge on which Scott would like to have an impact as a board member is the growing gang activity. There is no easy solution, he said, but he would like at least to be part of the conversation.

"We need to educate the parents," Scott said. "There are signs. We need to teach the parents what they are so they can be looking for them. They need to have the prevention skills."

Speaking from experience, Scott said the gang challenge is tough. He encounters denial after denial when he approaches students he's sure are involved.

"Finally I get to the point where I say, 'This is why you shouldn't do it. If you want to talk, my door is open.'" Scott said.

Scott noted one student took him up on the offer. She was a D and F student as a freshman. She is now and A student as a senior.

"We have a great relationship," Scott said. "We talk."