The Sopris Sun asked all four Roaring Fork School District Board of Education candidates the same eight questions, formulated with help from our Youth News Bureau. We received all responses by Oct. 6. District E candidate answers will be published next week.
What made you decide to run for the school board and what are
your qualifications?
I became very involved in the public schools as soon as my first born was ready to start. It was very important to me to be connected to the people and places that my children would spend much of their days. I became a substitute teacher, then joined the parent teacher organization (PTO), then was president of the Crystal River Elementary School PTO and now I would like to be a district board member. I see the struggles of those who have a hard time learning and the joy of those who don’t. I want to help make what is good even better, and make the not-so-good great! Our kids and teachers and families deserve our best. I am endorsed by both Voces Unidas Action Fund and the Roaring Fork Community Education Association.
The Roaring Fork School District is grappling with financial strain
due to several factors. What solutions do you propose?
The hiring of the new chief financial officer, Christy Chicoine, is a great step in the right direction. She received an award seven times for her work in the Re-2 school district. That, along with a deep commitment to finding solid, practical solutions to the many different issues that the district is facing by listening to all ideas and also holding everyone accountable to achieving the necessary goals will, with time, get us to where we need to be.
What are your budget priorities?
A balanced budget with a focus on the future, on staying balanced and having reserves is a must. I also want teachers and all school staff to be able to afford to live comfortably in the Valley. They teach here, they belong here, we need them, they should be able to afford to live here. They need to earn more, so we need to find a way to get that into the budget.
How do you recommend balancing support for students with extra learning-support needs, including English as a second language, and maintaining an advanced curriculum for high-achieving students?
The schools are already working hard to find this balance and I believe they are doing a good job at some of it and need a lot of improvement in others. My son is in the PEAK program at Crystal River Elementary School because the academic part of school is easy for him. He leaves class at appropriate times to join other kids who also need more complex lessons. It has worked well for him. We need to maximize the skills of our teachers and staff to make sure they have access to the personal development opportunities that are out there to continue to make sure we have staff who can meet all of our kids’ needs.
How do you recommend we protect students from discriminatory behavior?
It is very important to train our teachers and staff to recognize bullying and discriminatory behavior or attitudes when they see it. They need to be trained in the right strategies for responding to those behaviors. We need to have the right ways to talk to students about it and make sure they understand that discriminatory behavior is not okay and that we will help them find the right way to deal with any feelings they might have in school.
Please share your thoughts on the separation of church and state as this pertains to our schools.
I absolutely believe in the separation of church and state. When kids are in school, they should focus on learning. They need to focus on their academic lessons as well as on gaining the social emotional skills that will turn them into healthy, socially connected adults. Religion is a very personal thing that should be discussed in each child’s family and place of choice.
How do you propose protecting and preparing students and schools in light of potential acts of violence?
Again, we need to make sure we have training for teachers and staff to recognize signs of danger — both physical and mental — and make sure they have the training to know what to do, how to do it and when to do it. Recognizing mental health issues, loneliness, sadness, or anything that might make a person want to cause harm to themself or others is crucial. It is great that our schools have school resource officers and work with local police and fire departments. We need to make sure we are maximizing this relationship.
What are your thoughts on funding extracurricular opportunities, like music, movement and outdoor education?
I am absolutely supportive of spending money on extracurricular activities for our kids. Studies show that there is a direct and positive correlation between kids having extracurricular opportunities and higher GPAs, more interest in going to school, and better social skills. These activities encourage teamwork, teach kids how to manage their time, create friendships between them and other kids who may not go to their school which increases the strength of our community. Music, art, exercise are all very important ways for kids to find ways to step outside the often stressful reality of life and slip into a state of joy and focus. I believe this is crucial for all humans.
A quick search on tracer.sos.colorado.gov reveals that this candidate has not responded to accepting voluntary spending limits and received $0 as of Sept. 29.
The Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association, The Sopris Sun, Post Independent and other CoWest Noticias Collaborative members will host an Issues & Answers forum with Roaring Fork School District candidates on Thursday, Oct. 16 at Morgridge Commons in Glenwood Springs from 6 to 8pm. You can submit a question for consideration at www.bit.ly/oct16questions