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Personal (please list occupation, education and family):
I am a graduate of Marshall Senior High School. I received my BA from Augustana University and I am also a combat veteran, having served in the Iraq war. I returned to Marshall and have been working as a farmer, and raising our family here for nearly 20 years.
Why am I running for a school board seat?
I believe this capacity suits me. For quite some time, I have wanted to serve this community, which has given me so much to be proud of and thankful for. I want to be a part of making it even better. I want to help grow community where we lack it, repair community where it has been stressed, and nurture community in what is currently thriving. I want our school district to continue providing all of our children an education of the highest quality, an achievement that gives our students pride in what they have accomplished and in the community that helped them along the way.
What are the major issues facing the District?
Inequities regarding health insurance between top tier administration who receive 100% of their premiums covered, plus a healthy HSA, and student facing staff whose premiums have gone up 22% each year, for the last two years. Health coverage has gone up for everyone in recent years and it is no surprise that there is a concern here, but the inequities between the two factions within the district have created an environment of distrust and have a negative impact on the culture within the walls of our buildings. A healthy culture needs to be restored before this starts to impact our students and families.
I believe that good communication, transparency, and discourse are inherent in serving on a board and this needs to improve. To me, questions and open discussions are a sign of a healthy board. When there is no visible discourse and no dissent it opens a situation up for distrust, rumor, and conspiracy theories to run freely. The desired order, which may be intended by having a unified voice backfires when there is no open discussion. Just like in math, show your work, even if the answer or decision is correct. How you got there matters. The people of our district deserve to hear the thought process of how their elected officials reached their decision, not just as a board, but as individuals.
What are the areas of concern regarding student achievement in the district?
Since MCA’s are in the news, I will begin by saying, I do not think that MCA’s are a great tool for assessment as they only give a quick snapshot at one moment in time and do not show growth throughout the year that other tests do. The opt-out option is also something that baffles me. Having the MCA attached to funding from the state is a mistake and the state should discern a more accurate and equitable system. That being said, Superintendent Williams showcased some truly positive growth in 7th and 8th grade math scores, in an October 3rd-4th Marshall Independent article, and that should not be overlooked.
I believe some of the foundational reading initiatives currently being used are seeing some positive results and preparing learners for success at an earlier age.
This is not said enough, but when it comes to achievement we also need to restore trust in the professional teachers we currently have. They are truly assets and need to be treated as such.
Do you have specific suggestions for improvement?
Having already suggested some improvements I think it is worth noting that it has been a tough year with some terribly difficult decisions that have been made. Of course there are areas in the district that need to be improved and these elections seem to be so driven by what is wrong that we forget what amazing things that happen every day within the walls of our district buildings, despite the current difficult circumstances. I think there are great things happening at all levels, from the school board, administration, faculty, staff, coaches, and families who work tirelessly to ensure our students are getting the very best experience at Marshall Public Schools. I believe the positive experiences out-weigh the negative. Be sure to thank these people for serving our district. Everyone is making a difference.
If elected, I intend to bring with me things that have made farming and family successful for me. To use and care for the resources I already have: common sense, listening, and respecting the lessons and traditions of the past while embracing change, trying new things, and learning from every experience. My military experience taught me the importance of fulfilling obligations under the most difficult circumstances, standing up for what one believes, and seeing things through to the end. It also gave me a purpose to serve a cause greater than myself…and just how important home really is.
These valuable feelings and experiences give me a very broad perspective and will aid me in every decision I make as a member of the school board. I would greatly appreciate your vote so I may serve you and the students of district #413. Thank you!