Challengers: Brian Swain, Kristie Thomas
Why are you the best candidate for School Board?
I believe that I have a lot of skills and interests needed to be a positive member of the board and will be able to identify the needs of our district and community and benefit wherever called. I have had a solid community involvement, allowing me to learn a lot about our district and the students and teachers involved and hope to meet many more people along the way!
How will you prioritize improvement to student academic achievement, particulary reading and math?
I hope to assist in setting clear goals and expectations for our students and teachers in order to improve in reading and math. Allocating proper resources to ensure this improvement is essential and providing quality professional development for staff is also imperative. Providing targeted support for students struggling in these areas as well as encouraging more parent involvement would both be great ways to make improvements academically. Being able to keep an eye open for what works and what doesn’t work and being willing to make certain adjustments and changes would also be beneficial.
What steps will you pursue to strengthen the connection between parents and the school system?
I think that having open and transparent communication channels with parents and school board members would help build a better connection. This could include emails, newsletters or parent meetings where parents can ask questions and get feedback. Offering parents more opportunities to get involved and listening to their concerns will be important to me.
How will you ensure that parents will be made aware of proposed or new regulations or policies that affect their children?
I think email updates, newsletters or social media are all great ways to relay new information regarding their child’s education. There is also an app for our district that could be beneficial in providing updates and new regulation information to parents.
What steps should be taken at schools to create a safer learning environment?
I think email updates, newsletters or social media are all great ways to relay new information regarding their child’s education. There is also an app for our district that could be beneficial in providing updates and new regulation information to parents.
What changes should be made, if any, to local and state funding to maximize the amount that goes directly to producing academic achievement?
I think it is essential to prioritize funding in a way that maximizes education. It is really important to recruit and retain quality teachers, making sure that they have the resources needed to educate well, have opportunities to enhance their skills and effectiveness and are paid salaries that reflect their dedication and quality. I think our district should make sure we are providing enough development opportunities for our students and that we support enough instructional programs.
How will you commit to increasing classroom transparency - including but not limited to curriculum - with parents?
Being transparent with parents about decision making is huge in building trust. I would promote more classroom visits for school board members and parents as well to really get a true understanding of the student’s school life and also communicate with students and teachers about issues and ways to improve.
How will providing curricula that defines people as oppressors and oppressed based on group identity such as race or sex either help or hinder students in their interactions with the world around them?
Providing curricula that define people as oppressors and oppressed based on group identity such as race or sex can have both positive and negative effects on students and their interactions with the world around them. Some potential ways in which this approach can help students is by raising awareness and creating a better understanding of things socially. Hoping to promote empathy and understanding.
In what circumstances would it be considered acceptable for material that contains visual or written depictions of sexual acts to be presented to students in the classroom or in school libraries?
In general, such material should only be presented to students in educational settings under very specific circumstances and with appropriate safeguards in place. In the context of comprehensive sex education curricula, it may be necessary to provide age-appropriate material that includes information about sexual acts, reproductive health, and relationships. This material should be presented in a responsible and educational manner, with a focus on promoting healthy attitudes and behaviors. Clear guidelines, policies, and communication with parents about this curricula would be beneficial.