B-OPS School Board aspirants answer questions at Open Community Forum; ‘Moving forward’ is consensus theme
An Open Community Forum, featuring the candidates for Butterfield-Odin Public School (B-OPS) School Board was held tonight (Wednesday, September 7), in the Butterfield Fire Hall’s Community Room.
This event provided an opportunity for school district residents to meet the candidates who are running for school board positions, and learn what their goals are if elected. Approximately 40 residents attended the event.
Candidates running for the four, four-year terms include incumbents Kristin “Kristy” Haseman, Tammy Wolle and Renae Meyer, along with newcomers Cary Quiring, Shannon Sykes and Pamela Xayaphonesongkham. Incumbent Diane Peterson did not file for re-election.
Serving as moderators for the forum were Eldon Quiring, who opened and closed the meeting, along with Howard Madson, who presented the written questions from the audience.
Each candidate presented a five-minute opening statement prior to fielding the questions. Those statements included short background information, spiked by their individual views concerning B-OPS and the education of the school district’s students. By consensus, all candidates punctuated that “moving forward” is the overall arching theme.
Wolle, the first to speak, stressed that school staff, administration and school board are, “here for the students. That means providing quality education, whether it be college readiness and/or life skills, as well as preschool readiness. That has meant a lot for my children. I also would like to see more ‘hands-on’ classes, as not all students learn the same way, such as sitting in lectures. In addition, since many students come from outside the school district, I would like to see the organization of a PTO (Parent/Teacher Organization).”
Next to share was Xayaphonesongkham. She emphasized the need that, “kids be treated equally. I also would like to see more ‘hands-on’ classes.” Xayaphonesongkham additionally extolled the PSEO (Post-Secondary Enrollment Options) available.
“I believe that the top priority for B-OPS is to represent all students,” stated Haseman. “We have a very diverse culture in the school district and it is important to see to the needs of all students. We pair with St. James Public School in athletics, which provides our students access to all kinds of sports, and also share academics, allowing students to participate in classes offered in that district, such as agriculture or calculus.” Haseman additionally noted that, when she has asked students about their favorite extracurricular activity, play productions is the top. “I hope that we will continue to offer the opportunity to present plays and vocal and instrumental music.”
During her opening statement, Meyer presented that she, “wants to see the best for all our students, and that we keep our district growing in the right direction.”
Sykes opened by acknowledging that this school year, his children, a sophomore son and sixth-grade daughter, have open-enrolled from the B-OPS School District to the St. James School District, stating, “It was the best thing for their future, their education; there is more there for their interests. I am looking for better education for the children in this school district; we are not there now. I want to be a voice for the community; the chance for them to be heard.” Sykes also promoted the idea of more “hands-on” courses.
As well, Quiring shared upfront that his children, an eighth-grade daughter and seventh-grade son, attend school at Mountain Lake Christian. “I wholeheartedly agree with the school district’s Vision Statement (‘The Butterfield-Odin Public School provides a safe, welcoming and challenging learning environment for all students, where differences are assets. We partner with families to instill the qualities whereby all students are engaged in, and accountable for, their learning.’) B-OPS has different needs than other schools and the individual students have different needs from those in other districts. There has been a lot of division on the board; I would like to be a part in restoring harmony.”
Questions from the floor, presented by Madson, included:
+ For all – What changes in schools have occurred over the years?
+ For all – What can be done to improve the district’s low test scores?
+ For all – What is the best direction for the school?
+ For all – Do votes, as a board, have to agree with the majority?
+ For all – Open enrollment – is it good or bad for the school?
+ For all – Agree/disagree – must all seven board members be involved in all information coming to the school board?
+ For all – What would you do to encourage unity on the board?
+ For current board members Wolle, Haseman and Meyer – What have you done to promote unity on the board?
+ For all – Over 35% of district students are not attending school in the district (whether open-enrolled or home-schooled). Is this a concern to you?
+ For Quiring – Your children have either been home-schooled or attended MLC. Why do you want to be on the public school board?
+ For Sykes – Since you currently have not students in the district, should you be a candidate?
+ For Haseman – How many years have you served on the school board?
+ For any candidate – How can the district bring licensed/qualified mathematics and science teachers into the high school?
+ For current board members Wolle, Haseman and Meyer – I have heard that there are positives to the school district about why students open enroll to B-OPS. Why do you think students open enroll here? Is it for school growth and dollars? Student feelings or self-esteem? Academic opportunities, vigo and success?
+ For all – As a board member, are you ready to work together civilly and orderly together as a team?
+ For Haseman and Meyer – Why, when votes are taken at board meetings, and a motion passes, it is so hard to move on?
+ For all – In hearing that the board is aiming for increased test scores, what specifics do you have on how to do this?
+ For any candidate – The Strategic Plan is not working; would you consider a new strategy?
+ For all – Are you in favor of bringing back shop, ag, FACS (Family and Consumer Science), Spanish and business classes, including accounting, as electives?
+ For all – Do you feel every board members should have the opportunity to be heard before a vote?
+ For Quiring – Do you agree/disagree on the separation of church and state?
+ For current board members Wolle, Haseman and Meyer – What can be done to get the students who open enrolled this year into another district?
+ For current board members Wolle, Haseman and Meyer – The presented Minnesota Department of Education report on B-OPS test scores is dated 2010, yet the board started making changes to the curriculum two years ago; Why did it take so long?
+ For Haseman – When is it time for a school board member to take a break from the board?
