New Galt High board member Prouty looks forward to challenge

Since his appointment last week to the Galt High School District school board, Gus Prouty, 42, said public reception has been great with a few exceptions — the people who wanted him to fill other community roles.

A Galt High School graduate, Prouty has gone on to become vice president of business development and sales manager for California Cascade Industries, one of Sacramento's 75 largest businesses.

Prouty has also been instrumental in leading Galt-area football organizations. He served as president of the Galt Chiefs in 2003, president of the Galt Junior Warriors in 2006 and is the current president of the Galt Warrior Athletic Boosters.

Between business meetings and practices for the Junior Warriors, Prouty corresponded with News-Sentinel reporter Amanda Dyer via e-mail about his future on the Galt High School District board.

Q: What issues do you plan to concentrate on?

A: The most pressing challenge is the new schools and getting them running together as a cohesive unit. There will be many issues that arise from that challenge and I look forward to the due diligence and the process development to make that a success.

I do not have a preset agenda about what needs fixing. I have a vision on how the school employees, teachers, administrators and students should act to make the most of the educational opportunities for students. As challenges present themselves, I will concentrate on their resolution with my vision in mind.

Q: Galt High School District has a reputation for bickering. Do you think your presence on the board will improve that reputation?

A: In my years of debate competition and professional experience, I have never seen bickering and name calling advance a situation. Making a point louder does not make it more acceptable to your constituents. When tempers escalate, focus is lost and the business at hand suffers ...

I would expect a school board and its stakeholders to set the example during their meetings, myself included of course.

Q: I heard that you were a former student of fellow board member Sue Roberts. Is it strange to now be serving on a school board with her?

A: Sue was, and I'm sure still is, one of those teachers you always remembered. She has played a key developmental role for many young students. I look forward to working with her again.

Q: Some people thought the board should have appointed a Latino person to the board. How are you going to serve the district's Latino and Hispanic students?

A: I am an advocate for all the students regardless of their background and/or race. We have a large population of Hispanics in Galt, which is typical of California.

What is more typical and even more important is that we are U.S. citizens and need to be preparing all students for a larger multicultural world. In Galt we may have 40 percent Hispanics, in another town there will be any number of other people categorized as minorities.

Our educational system needs to focus on removing barriers to success that may exist locally, and work at teaching these students how to excel wherever their life may lead them.

Q: What's your favorite book?

A: Professionally, "The Goal" by Eliyahu Goldratt. Personally, "Tuesdays with Morrie" (by Mitch Albom).

Q: What's the best decision you ever made?

A: To marry my wife. She helps me stay focused and is unconditionally supportive.

Q: If you were trapped on a desert island and could only bring three CDs with you, what would you bring?

A: U2, Joshua Tree; Beatles, greatest hits; Genesis, Three Sides Live.

Contact reporter Amanda Dyer at amandad@lodinews.com.