Camae Blackburn
Occupation: Substitute Teacher
What would you like the school board to address? (75 words, max)
The school board needs to address the bullying issue that is present in our schools. Academic success is another area of concern. Academic performance is the lowest it has ever been according to the DPI. Student enrollment is trending downward and staff retention is also a concern. We need to address why students and staff are choosing to leave our district.
How do you think the district handled the COVID-19 epidemic? (75 words, max)
Our staff did a great job navigating the challenges that arose during the pandemic. However, we all could have done a better job of listening to one another. The school board needs to be a bridge between administrators, staff, parents and those in the community. It is important for the board to listen to the perspective of each of these groups. Only then can a board make an informative decision with the best interest of every child.
What should be a priority for the district going forward? (75 words, max)
We need to prioritize improving academic performance and creating an atmosphere where our students and staff feel welcome. Our focus moving forward should be from an understanding that learning can only take place once students’ physiological and social-emotional needs have been met.
Kevin Visel
Occupation: Commercial realtor and local business owner
What would you like the school board to address? (75 words, max)
I would like the board to a) choose a superintendent with great leadership skills, b) wisely balance the need for quality facilities with mindfulness of taxpayers, c) be the bridge that advocates for children and families as well as school staff, d) champion the standout programs that prepare students for success beyond graduation, e) focus on improving enrollment and performance scores and f) ensure we are living up to our district’s stated values and goals.
How do you think the district handled the COVID-19 epidemic? (75 words, max)
Our staff adjusted very well to challenging circumstances. I believe the board was in a tough spot but could have acted with more foresight. During this time, some stressed abundance of caution and CDC guidance and others stressed bodily autonomy and other health concerns. Both sets of convictions are sincere and deserving of mutual respect. Because there are inherent risks with every medical protocol, I think that individual medical decisions are best left to parents.
What should be a priority for the district going forward? (75 words, max)
We have such an amazing community and district, so it’s surprising to see that our district’s enrollment and performance are trending down. We must answer why. I have received several personal accounts from families and staff that have expressed concerns over some administration acting with favoritism and intimidation. If we prioritize a culture of unity among differences, replacing any fear with encouragement, I believe the increase in unity will yield improvements in all areas.
Jared Hitchins
Occupation: Territory Representative
What would you like the school board to address?
There are many things to address, but a priority to me is academic success. Covid years aside, our district’s math scores have plateaued, our ELA scores have steadily declined over the last five years, and our ACT scores are more than a point below state average. Our school district has the talent to perform at a high level, we just need to provide them with the tools to do so.
How do you think the district handled the COVID-19 epidemic?
Teachers and staff did a phenomenal job adapting on the fly, and providing our children the best education they could. In a unique and challenging situation, they went above and beyond. With this epidemic appearing to be mostly behind us, it’s time to start moving forward, while continuing to show respect and appreciation for the great job they did.
What should be a priority for the district going forward?
Support for our students and staff. The last two years have been trying, to say the least. We need a renewed focus on mental health, to ensure students and staff are in an environment they not only enjoy, but can thrive in. Creating such an environment will aid in staff retention, as well as reducing the number of students opting to open enroll out of Monroe.
Rich Deprez
Occupation: Network Engineer with TDS Telecom
Time on the school board, if any: 6 years
What would you like the school board to address? (75 words, max)
I would like our board to remain focused on the values and goals provided to us by the community. We’ve made some wonderful progress but have much work ahead of us to support our students and families as we emerge from the pandemic and begin to work to address the social, emotional, and educational toll it leveled on our community. Our schools can set the tone for restoring connectedness and we should strive to play that role.
How do you think the district handled the COVID-19 epidemic? (75 words, max)
Managing through the pandemic has not been easy and has been fraught with challenges that have no simple answers and needed quick solutions aimed at making the best of a situation that has been unprecedented and impossible to manage to everyone’s satisfaction. I would not wish the past two years of tough decisions, tough discussions, and tough choices on anyone. I believe we made the best decisions we could with the data available to us when we made them.
What should be a priority for the district going forward? (75 words, max)
There are several, top of the list at this moment is our search for the next District Administrator. The single most important decision a School Board member will ever make is hiring a District Administrator. It’s absolutely critical that the members making that decision be committed to the work and aligned with the values of our community. This decision places at the helm the driving force for our community that could have an impact for decades.
Eric Eckdhal
Occupation: Small Business Owner
What would you like the school board to address? (75 words, max)
I would like the Board to continue its good work on the many issues facing the district today. In the next year, the Board will make decisions on two major issues: hiring a new superintendent and putting forward a referendum on a new high school. Both of these actions will have lasting effects on our schools and community.
How do you think the district handled the COVID-19 epidemic? (75 words, max)
As a small business owner, we struggled with the issue of following sometimes conflicting guidance from organizations, while at the same time trying to do what was best for our staff and patrons. At times, it was an almost impossible task given the day-to-day changes in recommendations. I thought the district did an admirable job with an unprecedented situation. Monroe was lucky to have such capable people on the Board and in the administration.
What should be a priority for the district going forward? (75 words max)
The priority for the district should be a new high school. After years of surveys, community input, and committee planning, it is time to complete this project. In addition to giving Monroe High School resources to educate children in the 21st century, a new school allows for a more efficient, safer environment for our teachers, staff and students. Regardless of the outcome of this election, I look forward to working to pass the upcoming referendum.
Dylan McGuire
Occupation: Account Analyst at Colony Brands
Time on the school board, if any: 3 years
What would you like the school board to address? (75 words, max)
We need to continue to address our academics and curriculum coming out of the pandemic and strive to make both stronger. We also need to focus on mental health of students coming out of the pandemic with so much change and inconsistency over the past few years. We also need to keep aiming towards our goals the community has provided with us.
How do you think the district handled the COVID-19 epidemic? (75 words, max)
I think the district handled Covid as well as they could with information available at the time decisions were made and with the speed necessary with changing situations. The district followed health agencies recommendations and put out a clear plan that the community could follow and understand. Decisions were difficult and were made with much discussion and deliberation trying to take into account all perspectives.
What should be a priority for the district going forward? (75 words, max)
I see a few main priorities; hiring a new Superintendent, passing a referendum for building upgrades, and student achievement/mental health. Hiring a quality Superintendent is key to grow our district and attract and retain talent, a strong leader at the top will ensure our district improves and works as a cohesive organization. Hiring the correct superintendent and improving our facilities to fit the modern world will greatly help achievement and mental health of our students.