Tim Krug, candidate for state board of education, District 4

Party: Democratic

City or town of residence: Franktown

Profession: Retired educator and entrepreneur

Campaign website: krugforcoloradoschools.org

Why are you seeking this office?

I'm seeking a position on the State Board of Education because I believe parents deserve a strong voice in our children's education. Currently, only one board member has children enrolled in Colorado public schools and a majority have never had a child attend public school. Dedicated to improve choices and outcomes for public school students, including my own kids, I have the skill set to clean up the mess politicians have made of Colorado schools.

What makes you the best choice for this office?

My incumbent opponent is an insider from a political family who has sat for eight years while Colorado's public school system fell to the bottom in national rankings. She was appointed to the State Board of Education by the political establishment after being twice rejected by voters. My opponent represents the status quo and politics as usual. I represent every outsider who would like a return to prioritizing families over party politics and results over agendas.

What are the most pressing issues facing K-12 education in Colorado?

Funding and the responsible distribution of taxpayer investment into education. Since 2010, Colorado students have increased by 7 percent, but administrative costs have increased by more than 20 percent. It's unacceptable. The state needs someone like me willing to come down hard on frivolous spending and bloated administrator salaries in privately managed public schools. I will demand taxpayer money make its way into classrooms instead of into the hands of middle management.

If elected, what will your top priority be in January?

My top priorities will be to audit the state education budget and reduce standardized testing mandates. Is the state doing everything it can to make sure taxpayer dollars are working efficiently? Why are we limiting instruction time to administer more standardized tests than the federal government mandates? Tens of thousands of students opt out of Colorado's endless tests, so why isn't the State Board of Education listening to its stakeholders?

What else should voters know about you?

I'm a proud father and lucky to be married to the love of my life, my wife Yumiko. I'm an Eagle Scout and Cub Scout leader and enjoy volunteering weekly at church and in my children's school. I taught English in Japan for more than ten years and owned and operated Krug Kabushikigaisha, a Japanese corporation operating a chain of private English schools and staffing native English speaking teachers in Japanese public schools.