As part of its continued election coverage, Voice of the Ark Valley (AVV) compiled a list of questions for candidates of the Board of Education of Salida. As before, each candidate was asked the same questions and the same time and number of words for their answer. Over the next few days, AVV publish the candidate’s answers to the following six questions, grouping the answers to each question to make it easier for readers to compare the answers.

Spartan Logo Courtesy of the Salida School District homepage

Our questions:

1. What is your philosophy on public education?
2. What are your references for managing the district budget and
   what do you think of the most important budget categories and student
   investment projects are?
3. If elected or re-elected, what would you suggest that the district do to
   continue to support the mental health of students, teachers and staff?
4. What influence should parents and taxpayers have on the
   Course of Study ?
5. With the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing, when would you recommend
   move the district in a mask warrant or require vaccines?
6. What question did we not ask that concerns you and why
   are you a candidate for the Salida School Council?

As a reminder, the candidates are:

District 1 Director

• Carrie Coscarella-Mattix – who currently sits on the school board

District 2 Director

• Abby jefferson
• Jodi Breckenridge Petit – currently serving as District 2

District 3 Director

• Mandy paschall
• Jennifer Adamson – writing candidate

District 4 Director

• Joseph Smith – who is currently the District 4 director
• Catherine Rich

District 5 Director

General manager

• Jeannie Peters – who is currently the Managing Director

First of all, what is your philosophy on public education?

Response from Joe Smith:

Joe Smith, candidate for re-election to the Salida School Board. Courtesy photo.

“The community, which includes businesses, parents and community members, helps the school board provide vision and priorities. This vision is then used by the administration to guide the graduation guidelines, required courses and desired skills for each child to learn while in school, and is ultimately implemented by our staff.

“I firmly believe that we should educate children and young adults so that they master at a minimum the skills they learn in school in order to navigate successfully in society. These skills in reading, writing, math, etc. should then be enhanced by social and emotional skills, logic, critical thinking and problem solving.

“I am an advocate for financial literacy and its importance as well as a class requirement. I am an advocate for the trades. We all have different skills, passions and abilities that best match our educational needs and future professional needs. “

“Our partnership with CMC should be leveraged in every way possible to provide the best for each student and their specific needs. Finally, children should be children and be as active as possible in various extracurricular activities. It is proven that children do better academically when they participate in activities, so we must continue to stand up for this in our schools.

Response from Carrie Coscarella-Mattix:

Carrie Coscarella-Mattix who is running for re-election for the District 1 seat. Courtesy image.

“You need a village. You’ve heard this before, but it’s true. Raising children takes a village; Students, staff, teachers, administration, BOE and community.

“The public education system relies on our exceptional teachers, para staff and support staff to help administration and the BOE provide a safe and secure environment for students to learn and express themselves. Teachers develop relevant and engaging learning experiences from multiple resources.

“Students learn best by doing and engaging. Classes like music and art, as well as orchestra, choir and drama make valuable connections in the brain and learning while having fun.

“Critical thinking skills are so important in this ever-changing environment. They have the ability to research, recognize the pros and cons, and make informed decisions. Critical thinking is important for navigating the “real world” and being successful. “

“Our educators must meet all the learning needs, teaching styles and attitudes of students and support and encourage them to reach and exceed their potential and their learning goals. A goal may be to finish high school, join the military, get a certificate in a trade, take a year off and travel to gain ‘life experience’, get an associate’s degree beforehand. graduation or continue with a four-year degree. . “

Jennifer Adamson, written candidate for District 3.

Response from Jennifer Adamson:

“We all remember going to school and all the education that was given. Some of us had great teachers who we still remember who made a difference in our lives.

“I want our future graduates to be surrounded by a caring and respectful school district, teachers and staff and always have open communication with parents to know that they are welcome in a classroom. class.”

Answers from Dr Jodi Breckenridge Petit:

Dr Jodi Breckenridge Petit is running for re-election for the District 2 position. Courtesy image.

“Public education is our best national tool; it creates our business owners and workers, develops our civic leaders and is the anchor of our collective discourse.

“Our three boys, my husband and I are products of public education and I advocate at all levels of government for increased funding of our country’s greatest asset.”

Mandy Paschall’s responses:

“Public schools are the foundation of our communities and the cornerstone of our democracy. They are often the only place in our society where people of different backgrounds, beliefs and ideologies come together for one purpose: to educate our children. In America, we fundamentally believe that everyone deserves equal opportunity and that every child deserves a fair start in life, regardless of income level, race or where they live. While we have a long way to go to ensure that every child receives equal opportunities, we should never stop striving to achieve this goal. “

Paschall is a candidate for the District 2 chair. Courtesy image.

“Public schools should provide rigorous instruction and personalized learning that enables our students to succeed in an ever-changing world. With adequate resources and guidance from excellent teachers, we should strive to prepare thoughtful and engaged citizens who are critical thinkers, lifelong learners who are open to the world, empathetic and respectful.

“Our entire community will benefit from students who are proficient in reading, writing, math, science and technology. These students will work in our local businesses, pay taxes and give back to our community. Here at Salida, let’s embrace our common values, celebrate our diversity, and strive for a fair future for all of our students.

Response from Jeannie Peters:

Jeannie Peters is running for re-election at District 5 General Headquarters.

“Access to free, high-quality public education, regardless of your postcode, should be a right for every child in our country. To paraphrase some of Thomas Jefferson’s thoughts on education, a nation cannot be ignorant and free.

To support our country, this continuing experience of democracy, we must help develop citizens who have a strong capacity for critical thinking, problem solving, the ability to discern the facts in our media and the ability to communicate clearly and with intention. .

We as a people, as a community, must be prepared to pay our fair share of taxes to pay for the education of our children and the future of our country.

Editor’s Notes:

Six of the eight candidates for the Salida school board responded.

Shortly, Voice of the Ark Valley review applicants’ declared credentials for district budget management and what they believe to be the most important budget categories and student investment projects.