1. Why are you running for the Stillwater Area Public Schools Board of Education? From your perspective, what is the most important role of a Board of Education member?
I am running for School Board 834 because I am interested in advocating for our students to ensure all learners continue to have the best educational opportunities.
I feel the most important role of a Board of Education member is to ensure that our students experience an inclusive educational experience that helps prepare them for the world beyond our district.
2. Why are you seeking our endorsement? What does the unions’ endorsement mean to you personally?
I am not actively seeking your endorsement–I would be honored to have it–but I want you to choose the four candidates that are best for the staff within the district. I think the staff in our schools is an integral part of the environment for our students and people who should be supported. Union endorsement would mean that our goals most likely align or that you feel we would have a good working partnership throughout my term. I appreciate you providing me the opportunity to have another platform to share who I am and what I would do for the district.
3. How has your racial identity shaped and informed your world view? How are you actively working to expand your own racial and cultural lens?
I would say my world view is limited. I come from a middle-class, white family–still am a middle-class white family who has not traveled much. I am actively learning every day and have an open mind when it comes to other’s experiences. I like to stay up-to-date on things happening within the world and our community. I think I have opportunity to expand in this area and am more than willing.
4. As put forth by the Minnesota School Board Association, what does governance mean to you in terms of the work of a Board of Education?
Governance in terms of what I would be doing on the Board of Education, to me, means that I would be guiding policy, ensuring that it’s being properly implemented, and overseeing that our finances are being spent appropriately. I believe this means that I am informed in all matters through my own research, community involvement and professional guidance from the district (school staff and administration). It is my responsibility to be an advocate for the students and ensure that they have an environment that supports their individual learning. I am also to be accountable for my decisions as well as ensuring the district is following through on policies put forth by the board.
5. What has been your personal involvement or knowledge regarding unions and collective bargaining? How would you, as a school board member, interact with union leadership?
I do not have a personal involvement with unions or collective bargaining. I would welcome a relationship with union leadership as it is an important part of gathering the necessary information to create the best environment for our students. I feel they would have the school staff’s best interest in mind when communicating and it is an important factor to consider.
6. Share examples of systemic and institutional racism that you have experienced or observed in Stillwater public schools. How will you work toward dismantling those barriers?
My family and I haven’t experienced anything ourselves, but we have noticed and spoke to families that have been scared–and still are–because of the ICE raids. The district and school board have current policies and set rules to address that, but I feel with changing racial climate there is a need to re-evaluate. In terms of dismantling barriers, it is a matter of education. Educating myself and knowing the school system, as well as striving to make the best possible learning environment, will be how I handle obstacles affecting our students.
7. How do you think decisions should be made that impact curriculum, assessment, staffing, and school management? role of Teachers role of Paraprofessionals role of Administration role of Board of Education
The groups listed should all be involved in decisions that affect them. We should be actively listening to and getting their perspectives on new ideas that are being proposed for the district. Most of these groups are hands on with our students and know the day to day and have extremely valuable input on how curriculum is affecting our learners. Every decision should be well researched and thought through on how it impacts every level, including family life beyond the schools.
8. How do you define collaboration? What does collaboration look like to you among your fellow Board of Education members?
Collaboration is working together to create something, usually a common goal. When working with my fellow Board members, I feel it is important to use their knowledge and different perspectives to see the issues from another’s viewpoint. We each have different backgrounds and experiences, as well as ideas of what is best for our students to succeed. Each board member, ideally, has different voices within the community communicating with them and sharing experiences. As a Board member, my vote is important and helps shape policy, but it is not my vote alone that matters, we as a board need to work together to create the policy and make decisions based on factors that are best for all of our students within the district.
9. What steps would you take to actively work on trust-building with each of these groups? District Administration (superintendent & administrative team) District Staff including paraprofessionals, custodians, food service workers, counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, secretaries, school bus drivers, early childhood educational assistants, community education staff, technology support staff, nurses, teachers District Students/Families, including racially, culturally, linguistically, and socioeconomically diverse students and families Fellow Board Members Community at Large
I think actively being involved in your community and district is a great way to work on trust-building with each of these groups. All of these groups are instrumental to learn how the school system works, and to understanding what it needs moving forward. Building relationships mean listening, understanding and showing up when it matters. I am actively becoming involved in more things within my own children’s schools, and hope to continue to create those relationships with building staff, as well as families I continue to meet.
10. Describe 2-3 current and future strategic directions that you feel are priorities for our district.
In my opinion, Finances are big and going to continue to be important as we work with our current funding. This impacts all aspects of our school district and is making a difference in areas that families see and are saying is most important to them. This would be bussing and staffing schools. Mental Health of our students. Ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for our learners. Testing and performance scores. Growing neighborhoods and updating our facilities. These are only a few things that will continue to be addressed as a priority. If I am elected to the school board, I feel I will have much more access to district information and community concerns to help determine the highest priorities.
11. In the next five years, there are bound to be greater economic challenges facing public education in Minnesota and in our district. How do you propose to address these challenges?
There will be many new challenges facing our district in the future and I believe that knowledge and continuing to educate oneself with an open mind is how we will best address challenges going forward.