001We'll call the special meeting of the Calonia Community Schools to order. We'd like to start with item one, the pledge of allegiance to our country. Please stand. Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Welcome everyone. May I ask our secretary pro 10 to call a role. Robert Garcia >> here. >> Collins >> here. >> Con here. Morris >> here. >> Nichols. >> Okay. Next item is consent agenda. Item 5 A 2028 I'm sorry July 28 2025 regular meeting minutes. Is there a motion? Impressive turnaround. Michelle, I move that the board approve the consent agenda as presented. >> Second. >> Any further discussion? >> Okay, please call a vote. >> Garcia, >>
002yes. Rando, >> yes. >> Collins, >> yes. >> Holmes, yes. Morris, >> yes. Item six. I just want to start off with a little bit of opening statements that the board is at uh its final point in making a decision on replacing the appointee who vacated uh effective the 2nd of of July. I want to thank all of the uh very fine citizens of the Calonia school district who who applied. Um, it's a it's a big honor to serve and it's good to see the people in the community recognize that, too. And the time you put into it is very appreciated by the community. Um, tonight we're going to be interviewing six candidates. We're going to be asking the same questions of all. We're going to have 25 minutes of questioning. We're going to try
003not to go over and leave a five minute break just for transitional purposes. Um, and without any further questions, the board have any questions? Okay, we're ready for the first candidate. All right. Welcome. >> Hello. >> You go by Bradley or Brad? >> Just Brad. >> Okay. Brad, it's good to have you here. We're uh congratulations on making it as a finalist. And uh tonight we're going to be asking six questions of which we gave you a little bit of a brief uh overview of what we'll be asking. We're going to have each board member ask the question and then the final question will be asked by myself and we'll kind of wrap up. So, do you have any questions about the process that got you here and >> No. >> Okay. >> Nope. Just
004late late late uh email to me. I didn't get a chance to look it over very good because I was at work, but yeah, >> I'll do my best. >> Yeah, this has been a very fast and furious pace and for you to be here. We're appreciative of that and and uh want you to know that all of us appreciate you being here. So, we'll um begin with question one and turn it over to Jessica Con. >> I get to start. Can you guys hear me? Can you hear me? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Um nice to meet you, Brad. Thanks for coming again. Um, question number one, why are you interested in serving on the Calonian Board of Education? And what is your understanding of the board's primary responsibilities in contrast to the responsibility responsibilities
005of district administrative administration and staff? >> I'll answer the first part first. I'm not a 100% sure. You know, I've never been part of a board, but my understanding is, you know, they kind of oversee the administration of, you know, maybe policies, rules, regulations, stuff like that. um interested to learn more. Uh but why I want to serve is uh honestly I I love this community. This this community has been absolutely fantastic. We moved here in like 2009ish area. Um I've got my daughter, she's going to be at uh at Duncan this year and just everything school related has been fantastic. Uh my son Anthony is at Emmens. Um and the school with the help of Kent County recognized some issues, some learning disabilities with him. And this school system just stepped up like crazy.
006Those IEPs, the people in those meetings are fantastic. It's just it it's very wonderful. It's fantastic. I don't know where he would be learningwise if we didn't have that available to us. >> Okay, move on to sorry um when you speak into the mic I'm not sure everyone can hear you back there. Okay, good. Just a little if you can hear yourself speaking the rest of us can hear you too. >> Okay, >> good. Okay, Mr. Brandon. >> All right. When making decisions as a board member, you need to consider many factors. Identify a recent board issue that you felt strongly about and describe how you would prioritize the following factors and why. Student learning, parental input, staff considerations, community concerns, state and federal law, as well as your own values and beliefs. Well, like
007I said before, you know, I'm a novice to this, right? So, I'm not 100% sure where all that goes, but I can work as a team well together. Um, the rules and regulations and that, I mean, I'd have to really dig into that to figure out what they are, but I can stay within a window. >> Okay. There's a lot to that. >> Again, there's a lot to that question. So, if you want to repeat it, >> we're happy to do that. >> Yeah. I mean, I just Go ahead. Right. >> There's a lot to that question, so I want to make sure it's it's hard. It's hard to follow. I think >> when making decisions as a school board member, you need to consider many factors. Identify a recent board issue that you felt
008strongly about and describe how you would prioritize the following factors and why. Student learning, parental input, staff considerations, community concerns, state and federal law, as well as your own values and belief. I guess I would go students first. That would be the most important. Um, community. I mean, they're all very important. They all have their place in each decision that you make. You know, you can't really student first, but I don't know how you single out the rest of them after that. Um, as far as a specific board meeting, this is my first one. So, I don't have an issue at hand that I can think of that I would want to change a decision of. Great. Thank you, Mr. Collins. >> What qualities, experiences, or unique perspectives would you bring to this role, and
009how do you believe they would support the board's work and the district's mission? >> Can you repeat that one more time for me? >> What qualities, experiences, or unique perspectives would you bring to this role, and how do you believe they would support the board's work and the district's mission? Well, I think everybody brings a unique perspective to everything. Um, and obviously the for the district, we just need to grow and maintain our current academic standards very high. Um, I think as uh a manager of a dealership over there, um, you know, I've worked together well with a team. You know, I don't run my department as a dictator. you know, I've got I've got people there with a lot more experience than me that work under me. Um, several times the experience I have
010and just get all of their input and figure out the best way to move forward. Um so with regard to so this is a category priorities and vision for the district. What do you see as the biggest challenges facing public education today and which of those would you identify as top priorities for Calonia Community Schools to address? What changes would you like to see in the district and how do you envision your role in that change? I don't have a motive for doing this. So, I don't have a specific thing that I would like to change. Um, I would just like to see the district grow and continue to be um, you know, kind of the place that people want to go in West Michigan. I mean, there's a reason people move here. They move
011here because of the schools. We moved here because of the schools. You know, we specifically we when we first moved to Grand Rapids, we were in the Kentwood area and that's not where we wanted to raise our kids. We wanted to raise them right here. So, I think you just need to grow as the community, keep high standards, and get enrollments up. >> Trustee Garcia, >> thank you. Yeah. So, um, what does it mean to you or what would it mean to you to serve the entire Calonian community as a board trustee? How would you balance your individual convictions, parent and community perspectives, and the board's obligation to operate lawfully and transparently under Michigan law? >> That was a lot. Could you say that one again? >> Indeed. >> Yeah. What does it mean to
012you to serve the entire Calonia community as a board trustee? In addition to that, how would you balance your individual convictions, parent and community perspectives, and the board's obligation to operate lawfully and transparently under Michigan law? >> It would make me very proud to be able to serve this board. Um, there's a couple of things that I, you know, wanted to check off my list as being an adult. Um, I did one of those a couple years ago when I got sworn in as a reserve sheriff deputy. I I really wanted to do that and uh I did that one. This one's been on my list for a while. Um you know, I know my answer of I don't come to these meetings and whatnot might not suggest that, but I work in retail, so
013the hours are a little bit long. Um and I think that just, you know, the community input on decisions is probably a big one. And also the teachers, the administrators. I mean, I know a little bit, right? But I don't know as much as they do. I mean, especially the, you know, the teachers that have been here for 20 plus years. I mean, how am I going to know better than them what is supposed to be done educationally wise? Yeah. >> Okay. Get my mic working here again. Uh, the last question we have for you is really up to you to just let us know a little more about you. give us more details that you think are important to us about yourself that you think we might need to know as we're making a
014decision on our appointment. >> Uh, no, not a whole lot. Um, like I said, I'm an import from here from the other side of the state originally. Fell in love with the area and stayed. Uh, my mother is a runs part of the Sagenol County Head Start. My sister's a teacher at Corona, which if you would have seen me in high school, you wouldn't have thought that that was going to be part of my future or be sitting here and trying to do this. Uh, but you know, we all change a little bit as we get older and uh this would be a very very nice opportunity for me. >> Great. Thank you very much for for coming today. We appreciate your input and your answers and we will be in touch with you tonight.
015Yeah, thanks for thanks for bringing me. It was I got to tell you I was surprised it made the top but all right that way. >> Yeah. >> Thank you, Brad. you guys. >> Thanks. Welcome, Mr. Bernie Ning. >> Thank you very much. >> Congratulations on your making it to the finalist as our appointment candidate. And uh do you have any questions about the process we've went through thus far? No, I tr you know, one thing about being on the board, you learn to trust decisions, right? Because we all come in with a variety and everything. So, I trust the decision that you guys are making and will make. >> Thank you. So, we have six questions tonight. >> Sure. >> It's going to start off with uh Trustee Con asking the first question. >>
016Sure. >> And we have about 25 minutes to go through the questions. If you want the question read again, please feel free to ask to have it read again. They are a bit extensive. >> Okay. >> So, we just want you to make sure you're comfortable with with the content of the question so you can form an answer to that. >> Absolutely. So, and we're going to go right down the line ending up with me in the last question. And like I said, we got about 25 minutes. So, >> perfect. >> Well, you the >> All right, I'll turn it over to Trustee Con. >> Hi, Bernie. How are you? >> Wonderful. Thank you. >> Good. Um, it is a kind of a longer question. It's kind of two se sections. Okay. Um, >> why
017are you interested in serving on the Cal Calon Board of Education? And what is your understanding of the board's primary responsibilities in contrast to the responsibilities of district administration and staff? >> Okay. Well, those those are great questions. Uh, first off, why I'm interested in running is I have served before on the Calonia school board and I've always loved the opportunity to be able to serve in the community, help our kids, help our teachers. Um, and u I was just telling Darald out there, I thought about actually rer runninging for the board a while back, but I wound up with a bunch of health issues that we had to overcome. So this came at a very opportune time to see if I could get back in and serve in our community. And the relationship I
018see to the board and the administration is the board actually has one job and I remember going to I don't know I think it was board member keys or something like that. that it was training back then and it says the one job of the board of education is to hire the best superintendent we can hire and let the expert do the job. We still should always be aware everything's going on and I know through our weekly communications that that usually was always the case. Um the superintendent always kept us very well informed to help us make the decisions that guide the policy. because that's all we are. We're guides to the policy and our number one job is always to hire the expert, which I have to give you guys credit. From everything I've
019heard, you've done very well. I haven't heard a lot of complaints and I am in community. >> We'll take that. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Trustee Brando, please. >> All right. When making decisions as a board member, you need to consider many factors. Identify a recent board issue that you felt strongly about and describe how you would prioritize the following factors and why. Student learning, parental input, staff considerations, community concerns, state and federal law, as well as your own value and beliefs. You want one of them or you want to try to have a broad scope over a lot of them? Um I think um actually I think community issues is probably a big one because the perception that our community have of us is what how we're able to serve them. You know
020if we um we have good relationships in the community, we have good relationships with staff. I mean, I worked in the school for two years. Um, and um, I had great relationships with the teachers that I had the opportunity to work with. Um, even one of the students from my classroom still, I take him out to lunch, you know. So, it's always developing those relationships, whether it's among us here on the board, uh, among our administrators or, um, the staff that we get to interact with. U I've always taken great pride in being able to listen to what uh they ask u and you know I mean you all know sometimes we get a little stuff from the community that may not be very important but to them it's very important. They need to be
021heard. They need to be felt like okay Bernie heard me. What is Bernie going to do about it? Well, again, Bernie can't make a decision on his own for this board. This is a collective body of power, right? So, um, but I can bring the issue up and say, hey, you know, there is this concern, there is this perception. How can we, uh, address it? And maybe it's something we don't even have to address, but it is some, if it is something that we need to address, then let's talk about it. And that's where this all happens is in here. You know, doesn't happen out there. It has to happen in here. And the decisions we make are only as good as all of us. >> I'm going to go ahead and read it one
022more time since I did for the last one. When making decisions as a board member, you need to consider many factors. Identify a recent board issue that you felt strongly about and describe how you would prioritize the following factors and why. student learning, parental input, staff considerations, community concerns, state and federal law, as well as your own values and beliefs. >> Okay. One of a concern I guess I would have and I don't know the details again because I'm no longer working there or um and I'm no I'm not on the board, but I was in the special ed departmentally impaired and um Mrs. Carter, who I believe had moved on or at least gone back to school for um getting her masters. Um you know, she uh she was a really good teacher. Um
023I really loved and appreciated her, but I did have a concern um cuz a couple of parents that were in that class last year have called me over the summer and said, "Have we heard who the new teacher is? Have we, you know, how are we how are we doing there?" And I'm like, "I don't know. I I I don't have any input on that, but again, I'm going to trust that you guys do. Um and uh so that's the way I handle it. I'm like, you know, um Alicia, just trust the board. They they know what we need. Um and I guess, you know, I was disappointed when we um took away the transition program too um in Calonia, but I understood the reason why. I guess that was the important part because the
024students who were in the program were not California students. They were mostly out of district students coming in and being in that program. And so, um, fiscally, I'm sure it did not make sense to continue that program for out of district students. And, um, I wish we could have continued it. So, I guess that's my personal desire. Um, you know, because I always think that Calonia offers the best programming there is around. I mean, um, when I was on the board, and I'm going to go back to that, you know, we were the star that everyone achieved, too. Calonia Community Schools, they were the high point of everything, you know, and uh that's what I like to see it as, you know, we're what we should always be leading to have what everyone else wants,
025you know, and u I think we mostly do. I'm not sure of I could name one specific issue right at this time that uh I would say is out there that uh we need to address or change. I mean obviously I'm concerned about our funding. I mean I just heard what last week the federal finally was releasing state aid money down to the states. You know I'm sure we don't know yet what our state aid for students going to be. Um, maybe we do, maybe we don't. But, you know, those are all things I I continue to think about even though I'm not in your seats, but you know, how are we going to continue to fund making sure that we are doing the absolute best there is for our students and staff? You know,
026I know I don't know where you guys are in the process, but I know this is a negotiation year and you know, everyone likes to get more money. Everyone likes to, you know, have that bigger paycheck, more benefits, but there is still parameters of what we can do as a district because it all comes down to how much money we have. What qualities, experiences, or unique perspectives would you bring to this role, and how do you believe they would support the board's work and district's mission? >> Uh, I think one of the qualities I bring, 20 years of experience, I think that's a pretty good quality to have behind me. Um, I've also served in many different leadership roles at my work at FedEx for 30 years. Uh, you know, I served a lot of
027different leadership roles, designing routes, designing how things are done. Um, I owned my own business. I was a farmer, you know, that's actually how I know John from his grandfather. I worked for him. um you know and then I uh I worked in nuclear meds again delivering nuclear meds and designing routes for efficiency on time and because they're all everything is very timesensitive. So um and I'm a leader I've been a leader at our church for 40 years um leading high school ministries. I've taught many times in classes. I've taught on trips. Um, I design the trips and see that they all work. I set up transportation, you know. So, I play a lot of those different roles of whatever they may need just to that we can do what we say we're going to
028do. We took two years ago I took 20 students to London and uh that was a very interesting trip. London's a very unique place. lots of diversity, but it was uh well well done. I liked it. We uh had very successful time there, you know. Uh so I think that qualifies me for a lot of different things. I mean, because I, like I said, I've served, I've led, and I'm not really afraid to voice my opinion, but I'm not afraid to uh listen. someone has a a better objective or opinion in that too. >> What do you see as the biggest challenges facing public education today and which of those would you identify as a top priority for Calonia Community Schools to address? What changes would you like to see in the district and how
029do you envision your role in that change? Okay, I may ask you to reread the second part of this, but um the first part again I'll come back to. I think our biggest challenge is always finance. We spend what 87 90% of all of our money on people. So that's really all we have. We have we have people. And you know, if you own a business, you have a product. Like, okay, I own a water company. you know, my job is to sell this bottle of water. But in the education business, we don't have that. We don't have a product. All we have is making sure that our students are successful. You know, I know students that have come out of this district that have gone on to be doctors. I know a couple lawyers.
030I know um guys that are just working at home, making as much money as some of the lawyers, but Um, you know, so I think our job number one for us is preparing each student for the diversity of what is out there in the world. It's not like it's, you know, today I'm done and tomorrow I'm going to go to work for GM and punch tires. I am going to go out into a world that is again full of diversity and challenges. Um, and you know, I hope and I've seen it that we have prepared these students for that. You know, that uh when they leave here, they're able to go to college. Um, they're able to succeed in college. I have a grandson that graduated last year, and you know, he thought he was
031going to go into sports therapy, sports medicine. Um, a year into college, he's looking like he might do something a little different now. But we set him up for that. We set him up to figure out what's out there, you know. And I think that's our biggest challenge and goal is to making sure that we're setting these students when we hand them that diploma and they walk off that stage, they can say, I'm ready for college. I'm ready for that job. I'm ready to do whatever is required of me. You know, I think that's our biggest challenge. And your second part of that question was what? Um, so the second part of the question said, "What changes would you like to see in the district and how do you envision your role in that change?"
032>> Changes I'd like to see in the district. You know, currently because I'm not in you guys' place, I cannot think of looking in from the outside anything that um I see a bright red bulb on that. you know, we are not doing a good enough job, you know. Um, again, I one of the things I'm always been about is making sure that we have the right teachers in the classroom. Um, and I've always said, and I'd say it again, you give me a teacher with heart for the students and we'll get them the piece of paper they need on the wall to say that they're qualified because I can't give them that heart. I can make sure they get the qualifications in that piece of paper to hang on the wall, but I can't
033instill that heart and love for students. So, as long as we keep getting students, our teachers with that heart for students, you know, I think we're doing it right. >> So, >> um, last question or second to last question maybe, uh, what does it mean to you? uh and you've spoken to this a little bit already, but what was what does it mean to you to serve the entire Calon community as a board trustee? How would you balance your individual convictions, parent and community perspectives, and the board's obligation, of course, to operate lawfully and transparently under Michigan law? >> Well, I think um to be part of the board, the the number one thing, like I said, is I am one person. I am not going to go out and speak for this board and
034say, well, you know, this is what I believe. If it's a Calonia community school issue, then that's the perspective I share is what have we as a collaborative board decided? Do we follow what we believe? We stand united. I mean, I've seen in the board notes that not all of the board decisions in here were 70. you know, there were a few four threes, 52s, you know, but that's okay because we're showing what we believe, you know, and we're standing up for that. And I think that's important, you know, that our perspective from the people who, well, I haven't been elected, but from the people who, you know, you're working with, we all come at these with different perspectives. And, um, I think it's our job on the board to bring those to each other
035and then sit around this table and discuss them and hammer them out. And again, at the end of the day, it might not be a 70 decision. It might only be a 52 decision, but when Bernie Agel walks out that door, it's a 70 decision, you know, because I'm not going to be a descending vote in my community because we decided this together and that's the way I would do it, you know. And the last part of that was something like >> Yes. Just how do you uh balance those individual convictions? Do you have parent and community perspectives and and the board's obligation to operate lawfully and transparently under Michigan law? >> Well, again, you said under Michigan law. So, we are governed by certain rules and regulations. So, therefore, you know, we're all subject
036to those and, you know, we should understand them and know them. And I'm sure Eric's going to keep us informed of them as we come up to against them because I know policies are coming to us all the time. this needs to be updated uh or something like that. And um so you know, you're going to depend upon those kind of things as the input for the Michigan law. But to balance like uh personal perspectives and everything, you know, I'm at least retired now. Um I I have a wonderful job where I can work when I want. If I don't want to work, I don't have to work. Um you know, it's I deliver buses for hooks for transportation, you know, and there's a call up. Hey Bernie, can you take a bus tomorrow? >>
037Yeah, I can do that. You know, so if I don't want to, yeah, maybe call me Thursday, you know. But, you know, that's the freedom that I am now at to balance my life. It's not like I'm working 50 hours at FedEx anymore. So, you know, it makes life a little easier. Um, I still volunteer a ton of time in different places, um, i.e. my church. Um, you know, it's a place I I volunteer at because I love teaching kids. I love working with kids. I've worked in the high school ministry for as long as I can remember. I have never worked in junior high cuz junior highers drive me crazy to be honest. They don't know if they're an adult or a kid. You know, they're they're so in between there. I'm sorry. I'm
038just being honest. They just really don't know. And uh we have I have one of those in my grandchildren. Um and you know I spent enough time with him to know that he's at that point yet. He's not sure which side he's on, the adult or the child. Uh but yeah, so that's really I'm I feel like I'm in a wonderful place to serve and do things right now because I I have the freedom and the time now to do pretty much what I want. You're welcome. Well, Tim, it looks like you get to be the last one up. >> Yeah, I'm the followup to everything. >> Okay. >> So, uh Bernie, what else would you like to tell us about yourself? >> Well, you know, I've laid a lot of stuff out. Um I
039think anyone that knows me or knows of me know how much I care about this community. Um we've lived here 40 45 years. I don't even know. Um, and I was just a young punk when we moved here. And, uh, my family all grew up here and I and all my kids graduated from here. Now, my grandchildrens are graduating from here. You know, I have a freshman starting in a couple weeks. Um, and uh, I think I could be a a a blessing. Maybe that's too optimistic of a word for the school board, but I think I could bring a unique perspective because of my past on the board and my willingness to to look to forward to the future because I think um again, credit to you guys, you know, you've done a lot
040of things right, you know. Um like I said, I'm out in the community. I having breakfast with people, hanging out, and I'm not hearing a lot of discourse about you guys, about this school board, about our leadership. You know, I mean, you hear people sometimes grumble, say, "Oh, I wish they'd do this or they do that." You know what? That's people. One of the things we have to learn is that uh we give it that time to listen to them again. And there are some things we can do and some things we can't you know and so we come about doing what we can do and uh you know we answer the questions the best we can for them like you know when we're standing in front of a parent and they're yelling at us
041and screaming at us which I have faith and you know I've always said to them I'll call you back and then I make a call and find out the other side of the story why I attacked in a meeting and you know I've never not returned a phone call to a parent and never not followed up um because that's what they expect you know you guys are all elected and I was elected before and you know there are expectations on elected officials you know what do you are you representing me are you taking what I care about in this school system you know are you bringing it to the board are you bringing it to the superintendent Yeah, if it's important, we are. But, you know, if it's just a parent having a bad day,
042that's okay. We all have those and it's okay to have them. We But we just listen. And sometimes that's what the a parent or a student needs is to be listened to, you know. So, I think that's a strength that I bring. I can listen. I don't get upset easy. It it does take quite a bit to fire me up, but you know, um I have passion, you know, and one of my passions is to see that, you know, I'm active in our community. You know, you come Friday night, football games, you're going to find me sitting out there watching them. You might even find me at a musical or two, which I can't sing. I can't hold a note. I can't do any of that, but I go to them, you know, because I'm
043in the community and that's what's important. So, >> great. Thank you, Mr. Birdie Nagel. We appreciate your time. >> Anytime. >> We will be back in touch with you very shortly tonight. >> Oh, tonight. Fine. I didn't know how many I didn't know if you had interviews tonight. Tomorrow, how long? >> We are running I'm sorry if I didn't >> to that. We're running six interviews tonight. >> You guys have a long night. >> Finalist. >> All right. Well, I thank each and every one of you for your time and um I hope I can be available if you need me. >> Thank you, sir. >> You guys have a great evening. >> You can follow Daryl out. >> Oh, yeah. I followed Daryl before. >> Is it a good or bad ending? >> I
044might have been on the board when we had to hire him. >> You interviewed me. Welcome K House. >> Thank you. >> Congratulations on being part of the six finalists for to be appointed to the trustee candidacy. Um I do you have any questions about the process that we went through to get here? >> Um not right now. I don't >> we're going to be asking six questions of which you have information on the categories. If you have would like to have the question reread, please do. They are a bit lengthy and you get lost. And uh we're going to start with Trusty Con and work our way down and I'll have the final wrapup question. and we're here for about 25 minutes. >> Sounds good. >> Hi Carrie. Nice to meet you. >> Nice
045to meet you. >> Um this is um a question around motivation and role understanding. Um why are you interested in serving the Calonia Board of Education and what is your understanding of the board's primary responsibilities in contrast to the responsibilities of district administration and staff? >> Okay, that's one of those loaded. Yeah, you talked about that's good. Okay, I'll I'll do my best and then tell me if I missed any any sections of it. Um, so we, my family and I have two kids and so the four of us moved back to West Michigan in 2014. Um, and one of our primary goals supposed to be closer to family. Hello pretty childcare. Um, and so that was a major part, but then where we landed um, a lot of it because we still had they
046were one and three almost two and four at the time. So we knew that where we landed was going to a big impact was the schools that they were going to go to. So we looked at a variety of areas because they were way too far from a target. So it had to be semi closer to a target that we lived. Um and so we uh looking at schools was a big a big deal. And so Calonia schools stuck out to us um in a lot of ways. It was rated well. It was highly talked about um and had highly qualified teachers. So that was really important to us. And then also um even though you know people might complain about the the sprawl of Calonia, um there's still quite a bit of space compared
047to some other spaces. So to be able to have that space in combination with a great school with lots of co- uh curricular activities was really important to us as well. Um I'm a marching band girl, so I wanted them to have opportunities for marching band and not too small that they couldn't uh participate in that. They're choosing not to, but whatever. that's a whole another thing. Um so that that's the main um the draw of being a part of that and continuing that legacy of excellence um is really important to me. Um and then also, you know, at different ages and stages of your family life and development. You have different times for being able to serve in different ways and I've served in different ways in different communities throughout my time. Uh but
048this seemed like a good time. Um it again the ages and stages of the kids are a little bit older now. Um to be able to serve um in this way I try to lead wherever um I'm placed and regardless of my title or role um whether as a teacher, an assistant director, um mom, all the different ways um that we can lead. I lead where I am. And so I just thought that this was a good fit and blend of all the things that are important to me. Um and then okay I feel like that was kind of part of the first part but then >> you also talked about sorry >> what are the un what is your understanding of the board's primary responsibilities in contrast to the responsibilities of district administration and
049staff. >> Sure. I like a good acronym and so I was trying to find an acronym out of the the board what they oversee and for better for worse it was Fs. So, um it was um educating um educating uh students uh facilities, finances, uh safety and staffing. Um and so that was really important to me. Although it was slightly in contradiction to my understanding of more what the superintendent is involved with as far as staffing is concerned but still the overarching um understanding that the board's role is more of a broad view and that um but that we hear from the community and help work um in partnership with the superintendent and the teachers um to create that um that environment of excellence that we all want for our kids. And then what the
050and then the contrast did you say? >> Yeah. >> Say that part again. >> Um just uh basically what is your understanding of the board's primary responsibilities which I think you >> said which was great. Um and then the contrast to the like how does that differ from the district's responsibilities with the administration staff? >> Yeah. So yes, and then and actually that was helpful to know as well because um when I wasn't educated for that hot minute um it was it was a smaller school and so then the board's responsibility was more like this person would like to go on PTO for an extended period of time and that's you know a little outside of the purview of the the board. So it's just helpful to know the difference in this particular board of
051education. Thanks. Okay. When making decisions as a board member, you need to consider many factors. Identify a recent board issue that you felt strongly about and describe how you would prioritize the following factors and why. Student learning, parental input, staff considerations, community concerns, state and federal law, as well as your own values and beliefs. Okay. So, this one I only like ha like I got half prepared for under this section. Um, so I've only p I haven't I don't know if I have like a specific one that I've paid attention to. And maybe that's a good thing because you pay more attention to ones that rile you and and so I haven't had any that I'm like, "Oo, that really like gets under my skin." So, in some ways that part is a is a
052good um thing. And then list the the things at the end that you talked about. >> Yep. I'll reread it. I've read them all. When making decisions as a board member, you need to consider many factors. Identify a recent board issue that you felt strongly about and describe how you would prioritize the following factors and why. Student learning, parental input, staff considerations, community concerns, state and federal law, as well as your own values and beliefs. >> Yeah. Um, so I don't know a lot about it, so not enough to have a super strong opinion about it, but I know that it was a a balancing act. The um, and I don't even know if it's a decision decision or just kind of a thought process on the idea of masks and what the the school
053will do if there's another mandate and things like that. So, I don't necessarily know enough of the details to have a super strong opinion about it, but knowing that um you're balancing all of those things, even within that one. So, you're balancing the state law, you're balancing parental and community and student learning aspects all rolled into one. That might be one of the things that brings all of those together um in a really big way. Um I think there's a variety. I I think taking into consideration all of those is really important. Um, one of the one of the things that has guided me, I haven't finished it yet, but I've started it multiple times, so that counts, I'm pretty sure, as finishing the whole book, um, is the book Switch, um, by Chip and
054Dan Heath, which is about making changes. Um, and one of the things that they talk about is the elephant and the rider and the path. So, the elephant is the emotional side of things, and the rider is the logical side of the decision-m, and then the path is just kind of what you have to navigate together. And I think as a board it's important to um understand the emotion behind all of those decisions that um go into it. Um but also to bring the logic side to it uh as well. You can't have one uh without the other. Um because you don't have buy in if you don't have uh the emotion. Uh you miss some things. You miss some of the key elements if you uh miss that uh that communication whether it's from
055students, parents, community. um you miss that emotional piece. Um but then there's also some behind the-scenes logic that sometimes we have to make decisions that not everyone is going to be a fan of um from the feeling side of it because that's what has to happen either fiscally or um or just logistically um within it. So I think the broad um being able to take in those broad considerations um is important in that and making a a well-informed decision on it. What qualities, experiences, or unique perspectives would you bring to this role and how do you believe they would support the board's work and the district's mission? >> Well, I'm familiar with Robert's rules of um Oh, now I lost it because I wrote it down so I wouldn't forget. Um, Robert's rules of order.
056Um, so that helps. I mean, I don't we don't say I'm at the dinner table or anything, so um sometimes I need a little refresher, but I'm at least familiar. uh enough with them to jump in. I'm also a really quick uh learner and so um I think that helps a lot especially with a tight turnaround. Like I wish I could have been a little more prepared. Um but I feel like I I know what I know, but I also know what I have to learn which is um important when I'm hiring student workers in my role. I want both because if they think they know everything, it's going to be a rough road. If they don't know anything and I need to tell them how to cut a piece of ribbon, don't worry, I
057did that today. Um then that's a whole another thing like they need to know a little bit to move forward. Um say say the last part again. I get so distracted by ribbon. >> Me too. >> Yeah. >> How do you believe they would support >> the board's work in district's mission? >> So I have had kind of a long and windy path and every once in a while I wonder how all those things are connected but then um there are times like this or other times in my uh career where I see them all come together. So, um, I started off, like I said, as a teacher of seventh and eighth graders, and I don't know if I liked it in part because it's a little bit of a shock value when you say
058that you enjoy teaching middle schoolers. Um, but also I really do I felt like that was that's a sweet spot of students and now I kind of have middle schoolers and I I know why. I do. I love this age. Um, so I I have um the background of being in education, but I also have my masters in administrative leadership. So I also understand um that the kind of the broader view of it uh as well and have um really devoted a lot of my life to education at a variety of ages and stages and I currently work in higher education. So seeing incoming students I understand the importance of a solid K12 education uh to better prepare. Um when we were talking uh yesterday and they were talking about the AP credits and about
059how that saves you a lot of money. That's no joke. Like that's a a serious thing. Um, in fact, I have to draw the line. I work in housing and so I have to draw the line. No, you you this is this is your year. I know you came in with a whole bunch of credits, but you're not a junior based on what meal plan you have to have. That's anyway. Um, but it's important and it saves them a lot of money and you have a lot of students who are able to graduate in three years, which is a huge savings. Um, so to be able to see the whole spectrum, I think, uh, is helpful as well. Um, also I think as a parent that gives of two Calonia um, students who I thought
060I got permission to run for this and then they were like, "Wait, you did that?" And I was like, "I did and I told you that." But anyway, so I pseudo have their permission to run for this. Um, but there are current students uh, in the system and I think that gives me a unique perspective as well because I see um, kind of the front end of it, the communication that we hope to get across. I see it um, on on my side of things. Um, I also learned to not take what they say word for word. It's a trust but verify kind of a situation. And so I know that um like I I really liked I kind of assumed this was the case but seeing it laid out like you start with the
061teacher and then you go to the principal and then the superintendent. I think there's one more in between the board. There's five I think but um but knowing that uh process as well um is is really really helpful. Um I am also in my current role I was nominated by and voted on by my peers to be a part of the employee well-being committee. Um and so I serve on that committee and get to use Robert's rules uh for that as well. And um so we help make decisions in shaping the culture uh of our faculty and staff members. And so um I think that has me uh uniquely qualified as well. Um, and then I also do fun things like we uh three years ago uh began a new thing called Mayhem Day where
062faculty and staff basically get to play in teams to build up some u morale and some momentum. And so it might seem like a small thing um but it really impacts the day-to-day work and the collegiality between um between folks um as well. So that's just kind of a a broad smattering but I think those uh kind of all play into my roles. What do you see as the biggest challenges facing public education today? And which of those would you identify as top priorities for Calonia Community Schools to address? What changes would you like to see in the district? And how do you envision your role in that change? >> Good question. I think probably one of the biggest uh challenges um at least top of mind. There's always going to be more or ones
063that come out of the the woodwork that you didn't anticipate. Um but one of the biggest ones I do think is um is technology use because I think you can say it's a home issue but it ends up being a school and a communitywide issue uh as well. And so how best to um like what comes to mind for me is I have a I have a co-orker who's um the school that her daughter goes to, everyone has to put their their cell phone in a a bag with a magnet. It's a whole like system thing that um they can't open till the end of the day. And my gut reaction was, well, what about the safety? Because you know, if something happens, you want your kid to be able to text you that they're
064okay. you there's something that also brings safety and peace of mind about that. Um but you also are then balancing um their ability to learn and their social aspects and social media and things like that. And so um I I don't think that I have the right answer, but I think this is a big one that's not going to go away in developing um policies that balance the the freedom of the communication and the the devices and the property. Um, and then also the ability to learn and create that excellent learning environment. Um, so that's one of the biggest ones. And then, but that was like there's still a two-part question. Can you say that last part again? >> Yeah, absolutely. So, um, what do you see as the biggest challenges facing public education today?
065Um, and I feel like you addressed that, but then what changes would you like to see in the district and how do you envision your role in that change? Yeah, I probably could have think about this one um more um because like I said um with some of the other things if something doesn't get under skin, you don't feel like an immediate need to change. But I think sometimes it's in um in the small things. Um I one of I was looking at just the brief the brief one pager that's kind of a handy thing. But um like with the strategic plan and talking about connections and community. So that was the one that struck a chord with me the most is getting more involved um in that. Right now my um connections have been
066more age appropriate going to a glow dance. Who doesn't want to go to a glow dance? Um and meeting with other parents um and students in that way. Um but but especially coming off of a time of isolation both um both because of the pandemic but then also because of isolation from um social media and being on our phones which I'm guilty of too. Um, I think that personal connection um with our community is helpful both for the interpersonal side um but then also for the relational side and being able to see that we have a lot in common um when we're so um polar in our in our views um it's helpful to see people as people and as humans. And so I think that connection and community is a big thing that I
067would want to be involved with in both finding out more of what we do and then also how we can increase that. I had that happen at a spelling bee and it was like super quiet and then my phone went off and I was like, "Oh, sorry kid, but she can't spell anyway." So >> I thought I deleted >> I apologize. No problem. All right. Um, so what would it mean to you to serve the entire Calonia community as a board trustee? How would you balance your individual convictions, parent and community perspectives, and the board's obligation to operate lawfully and transparently under Michigan law? >> Good question. Um, I think so one, let me let me let me just think which one I want to use the most. Um, I think after hearing like six
068of these in a row, which three hours, good on you all. But, um, I I am like, how do I make this not boring either? So, I I think I'm going to get there, but if not, you just tell me. Okay. But over 15 years ago, we went to this bed and breakfast in Montana, and there were these two uh the the proprietors or whatever didn't have any kids, and they were railing about how their tax money was going to education. and they didn't even have kids in the school. And I don't think I said out loud cuz why would you do that when you're there for like one night, right? But in my mind, I was I was thinking, I don't think you get it because the point of education in a community is
069not for your individual kids. It's for the the greater good. Um it's for our future leaders, our future caregivers, future workers, and that depends on an educated society. Um and whether they choose uh students choose to continue to do a trade after graduation, whether they go on to higher education, um whatever they choose for their path that's right for them and that they feel empowered and equipped to do to do um is really uh an important I mean that's our future. That's our social security is these kids. Um, I was practicing some questions with my 12-year-old who was moderately helpful and she was like, "It's for the future." Um, and but it's but it's true. Um, and that's that's kind of that's what it's for. So, keeping that at the forefront, I think, is helpful
070as we balance. Um, you know, I'm I'm not just doing this for me. I don't have a personal agenda for me and my two kids. I'm doing it for the greater good and for um a society that you know knows the difference between there there and there. That's really important to me. Um um as well as um knowing our history and knowing different view viewpoints and being able to ask about them. I kind of love it when my kid comes home and he's like, you know, let's talk about this thing that's happening in the news. like one one of my friends said this, but one of my friends said that. What a great opportunity to discern um what our values are at home versus what they're learning at school. And I think that's part of
071the greater good is learning from each other and learning from differences um and and learning how to be to be better humans uh to each other. So, okay. Did I did I hit most of it? Okay. All right. And then I should set a timer. Okay. Okay. I'm I'm just Okay. All right. >> We'll keep you on time. >> Okay. Good. I just get excited. >> Great. >> So, last question is Carrie, what would you like to share with us? Anything additional that you think we should know about you? >> Um, I mean, we're going to start. Um, uh, one other one other thing. Um, I mean, not hugely, but I just want you to know that I know how to be a professional, but that I'm also fun. And when you spend a lot
072of time with a group, I think that that's important and um not to be devalued. Um, but also I think um again, I'll I'll say this part because I think it does speak to the broader side of it, but when I was uh my husband and I were first married, we just celebrated 20 years. Um, but when we were first married, he had the goal to put a pot in the dishwasher. And I was like, "That is not going to happen in our house. You do not put pots in the dishwasher." And he's like, "Why?" I'm like, "Because that's the way it happens." So I did what any um mature young person would do and I said, "I'm calling my mom." And so I called my mom and I was like, "Right, we don't put
073pots in the dishwasher." And she goes, "I mean, you could. We just didn't because it took up too much space and like there's nothing to say that you can't. And I say this because a I was like I was humbled but b there's something that I thought as the truth and the one way that you do things and the one way that things should be and I didn't think about another perspective or a way that like my growing up would have influenced that particular truth. And so I really think that is important to know that other people come from different backgrounds and other people have differing views. And so to be able to think, okay, why would they put the pot in the dishwasher, so to speak, um is an important thing to think about
074when you're taking into consideration families, community members, businesses that are all coming from different perspectives and say this is the way that things need to um be moving forward. Um, so I don't that's not necessarily about me, but that's where I'm coming from. Um, and yeah, I think that's all I have. Oh, and then generally other than maybe this this description that I'm giving you right now, I'm generally organized. Um, and and also have relational skills like I love math and spreadsheets. Um, but I also uh love hanging out uh with friends and playing we we played a parents versus kids kickball game um a little bit ago, which I personally think there should be a board versus something kickball game, but that's that's for another day. Um anyway, that's all I have to share.
075>> Great. Thank you, Carrie. >> We will be in touch with you tonight. >> Sounds good. Thanks so much. >> Thank you for coming. Hi folks. Good to see you. >> Hi Garcia. Nice to meet you, Jim. Nice to meet you. Good to see you. Nice to meet you. Welcome, Jim. I can call you Jim. >> You can. >> Okay. >> Well, congratulations. You're a finalist of six in the process for us to make a decision on appointing the next trustee in Calon Community Schools. >> Great. Thank you. I appreciate it. >> Do you have any questions about the process that we do? >> Pretty clear. Thank you. I appreciate you asking. Yeah, we want to make sure counc have had questions um outside of this. So, I want to make sure that I ask
076that that question. Um we're going to go through the the board and asking questions. So, there'll be six. We'll start at one end of the board and I'll end up with the last question and uh from there. >> Okay, sounds good. >> I'm the first one. So, um it's kind of a two-part question um just so you're made aware. So, why are you interested in serving on the Calonia Board of Education? And what is your understanding of the board's primary responsibilities in contrast to the responsibilities of district administration and staff? >> Sure, thank you for asking. Um, so, um, I've served on board, if you probably saw the resume, I've served on 14 years of school board, uh, experience, and I felt like this was a good time for me to really help out the
077district possibly for this year and a half. Maybe it turns into longer, but for right now, I felt it was a good chance to to help out, bring my experience in, help get things through. You have a lot of issues coming up with a probably superintendent evaluation, I'm assuming, and you've got negotiations. So, there's a lot going on. and bring somebody totally new that didn't know the system, didn't know how things work, might be a little more work, might be a little more training. Um, and I felt like I could be helpful in that situation. Um, and then the second part of the question, can you repeat the second part, please? >> Absolutely. Um, what is your understanding of the board's primary responsibilities in contrast to the responsibilities of district administration and staff? >> Yes.
078So the board the responsibility of a school board in general regardless of where you are in the state um revolves around the the sometimes creation but most often the approval of policy review and approval of policy um whereas the superintendent and the staff are administering that policy. So there's the differentiation there. Um, with finances, the director of finance and superintendent, the staff here are putting together a budget, bringing it to the board for approval, and then the implementation of that budget goes back to the schools to make sure that that happens. Um, there has to be a a really a delineation between the the board and everything else because we're not micromanagers. We're not in there running the schools. We're not telling the superintendent really uh well, we're we're working with the superintendent, but we're
079not telling the principles what to do. We're tell the teachers what to do. there's a there's a kind of a chain of command, I guess you could say. And so the board is working with the superintendent to help direct all of that, but I think there needs to be that delineation between the two. Um there's also um policy, you remember all the policy, finance, um and then there's uh well obviously hiring and hopefully we won't get to the point of letting a superintendent go, but that would be part of the duties is is working with the superintendent and uh renewing that contract, etc. So, those are some of the main responsibilities that uh there's policy as well. Um working with the policy reviewing and make sure they're up to date, using your uh legal counsel
080to make sure that you're getting any necessary updates, reviewing those. Um constantly reviewing policies to make sure that they're kind of in alignment with what the district's goals are. So, that would be my answer, I think, to that one. >> Yes. Thank you. >> All right. I will read this one twice. This is a long one, too. When making decisions as a schoolboard member, you need to consider many factors. Identify a recent board issue that you felt strongly about and describe how you would prioritize the following factors and why. Student learning, parental input, staff considerations, community concerns, state and federal law, as well as your own values and beliefs. >> Yep. So I think first of all I'm going to go backwards a little bit with that one because I think it's important that although
081we have our beliefs and we can certainly express those um we need to act when we when we act on a policy when we act on a um a situation that comes up. We really have to put our personal opinions aside for the most part. Um and we have to act at the on the best interest of the students. So whether that is a policy that's going to affect them directly or indirectly or whether it's something that happened with the student um or a curriculum question or whatever it might be, we have to look and see what what will what solution will be to the the betterment of the students. That's got to be the key to it all. And u we need to take into consideration the the community that might show up and
082the opinions you might hear from the community. We need to take into consideration certainly our our superintendent and our staff. I mean they're trained to do what they do. if we did our job, which I feel we have in Calonia, we have a quality superintendent, we have quality administrators, and we have quality teachers. So, we have to take their um kind of their opinions if it's maybe it's a f maybe it's a for curriculum issue, for example. Um but to go back to I think the very beginning you said maybe a situation that's come up. Um you know, when I was a past board member, we had a situation where a kindergarter brought a knife to school. That's a tough situation. The kindergarter didn't bring it with the intention of hurting anybody, but nevertheless, state
083law is state law. We didn't have an option in what we had to do, but we made every effort we could to make sure that that kindergartenner had constant contact with the teacher while he's at home because there's a period of time that he had to be suspended. Like it was a tough decision, but state law, state law. Um, there was another situation where there was a curriculum issue and approving a an individual book. book. I don't think it was whole curriculum, but when it got down to when we reviewed um the process that had that the the teachers had gone through of selecting it, it then went back to the policy like what is our policy? What's our procedure for approving curriculum and in order to follow if we follow procedure, we were approving
084that curriculum. If we were following some of our personal beliefs, we weren't approving the curriculum. And so all I did, you know, I respected everybody that had their opinions. I said, "Everybody has to decide what they're going to do in the situation." But if we're following policy, this is what we need to do. And then I left it at that and the vote happened. Um, and that's kind of what needs to happen. I think everybody certainly has their opportunity to speak and and present their opinions, but when it gets down to it, hopefully it's policy that's being followed when you're when you're making decisions like that. >> You only had to read it once. >> Maybe you're good with that. I can reread it and go. You can reread it and go me too if
085you're good. >> I'm I'm good. I think Thank you. >> What qualities, experiences, or unique perspectives would you bring to this role? And how do you believe they would support the board's work and the district's mission? >> Sure. I mean, we have a strong board. We have people that have now experienced. We have some new members, but I feel that they've that they've done a good job from what I from what I've been able to gather of trying to learn about the responsibilities and learn about their roles on the board. Um I feel I do bring some experience. Uh I think that will help in the transitionary period. Um whether it's you know just the next year and a half or longer but it I think that will help in u making maybe making things
086go a little smoother. Um and I think my uh leadership on both uh the board experience which was from a board trustee on up to a vice president um will just help me to understand help me to come into it with an understanding uh what it takes to be a good board member. Um, I'm also gone through up to into the 300 levels of board training with MESP. Um, granted, like I said in my letter, it was a few years ago, so some of that stuff has been updated and that's fine. Um, but that's the foundation was there of my kind of understanding of what, you know, what uh the finances are about, what it means to finance a school, what it means to review and and assess a policy. Um, so I feel just
087that background knowledge is something that I bring to the table. Um, I feel I'm fairly personable. I'm fairly easy to get along with. Um, I listen to people. Um, that doesn't mean that they're always going to change my mind or nor am I always going to change everybody else's mind. I think it's it's the point that you're listening. And coming from the higher ed side, we talk to uh when I recruit for Hope College, I talk to the students at the high school level about that. We ask you to come here and ask the big questions and and have the big conversations. And in a sense, that's what I think of schoolboard 2. Ask the big questions. make sure you get the answers that you're looking for and then you have those discussions and that's
088that's what happens at the board level I think too. It's a long question. I don't want to get it wrong. >> That's perfect. What do you see as the biggest challenges facing public education today? And which of those would you identify as top priorities for Calonia Community Schools to address? What changes would you like to see in the district? And how would you envision your role in that change? >> I mean, the biggest challenge that all school districts face probably whatever state is funding. It's that unknown. You don't always know year to year when that's funding, how much you're going to get, when it's going to be approved, and then trying to keep that balance of an acceptable fund balance um and balancing that off on the budget and teacher negotiations and what whatever else
089might be going on. And then in the mix of that, you might have bond issues. And how do you you know, it took us a couple times to get that non-h homestead passed. um that's in a sense a no-brainer, but to somebody that owns a business or a second home, it's not necessarily a no-brainer. So, it's the point of really trying to make sure that people understand what you're asking for when you go for a bond in particular. Um but even when it comes to the funding of a district, um we don't get the type of uh community, well, it depends on what's going on. Normally, there's not a lot of community at meetings. there can be, but I don't think there's always an understanding necessarily in the community of what it takes to run
090the school district um financially and even people-wise. So the better we can the more transparent we can be the more educational we can be in um showing that during meetings um having information meetings wherever it might be but making sure that people understand that the public understands kind of what we're going through as board members um and what the district is going through as they um do their day-to-day functions which I think in general uh much like the operations of a board the public doesn't really understand everything that goes on um this is not off topic I think but related when I was on one board they always said well you're a 70 board I'm like well you don't come to the committee meetings like u I didn't say it that way but that's but
091I basically said come to the committee meetings and learn what we're discussing like that's where the discussions happen that's where we're really talking about so by time we go to a board we're we're ready to vote and typically many times it's going to be 70 because we've already gone through the discussions and we've answered people's questions so I think the same way with uh finances for example making sure that people kind of understand why we have a fund equity. They just look at as sometimes as extra money in a savings account. Well, there's a reason you have a fund equity. And even the teachers union would say it's supposed to be at a certain level. School board uh would say the state or national would say it's supposed to be a little bit higher than
092that. But nevertheless, is there a happy medium there between the two? And making sure they understand why we have that. That's just an example. >> Thank you. Um, so our next question is, what would it mean to you to serve the entire Calon community as a board trustee? How would you balance your individual convictions, parent and community perspectives, and the board's obligation to operate lawfully and transparently under Michigan law? >> Sure. So, I mean, I'd be proud to be able to do it. Right now, I'm the president of the Calonia Education Foundation, and I realize I'd have to give that up, not because I can't do both, but they meet the same night, so that would make it a little challenging. Um, so that would be the only disappointing thing probably in all of this
093is giving that up. But I see myself going back to that or even being involved in that peripherilally um without necessarily being at all the meetings because I feel strongly about what the foundation does. Um, but I I feel that it's I don't know that I you know some would say I feel an obligation to serve. I I I do enjoy serving. I do enjoy volunteering. I'm you know been volunteer with the Boy Scouts. I've been a volunteer. I've been on school boards which isn't necessarily volunteer but I've been active in things and I enjoy doing it. I enjoy participating. I enjoy contributing. Um but I think the important thing that has to happen tonight or whenever the decision happens is you find that that you're comfortable with what you're going to choose like the
094right mix for the board. What makes sense in terms of background knowledge, the fit um that's all got to be um part of the part of the decision. Can you repeat the question again because I feel like I'm missing something at the end. >> Yeah. The second part of the question was just how would you balance your individual convictions, parent and community perspectives, and the board's obligation to operate lawfully and transparently. >> Yeah. So, I think you're as a board member, you're always subject to to questions about what's going on on the board. Um Sean is one of my physical therapists and I and I and I've asked him like how are things going on the board? Like like I'll ask him, you know, like there's certain things he can tell me, certain things he
095can't. He did a great job of saying I can't talk about that because that's part of negotiations or whatever it was. Um, and I respect that. Um, there's going to be questions you get and you have to know where that line is, what you're able to talk about, what you're really not able to talk about, and you have to respectfully be able to answer it that way. Um, I mean, I have opinions like everybody else does. Um, and I think it's just the point of you expressing your opinion where it's appropriate and respectfully so and listening to others. And ultimately, you just have to make a decision as to um you know, how you're going to treat something. Many of much of what we as schoolboard members have to prove are are pretty basic policy
096related things that we don't really have an option like it's tied to funding or something and we have to pretty much have to vote it as a yes. But there are certainly other things where we we have to think about it. We have to talk about it. Uh what makes sense? Uh does this policy make sense? Does this curriculum make sense? Um, and if not, then listen to each other as to why it doesn't. Um, and and I think respect is a big part of it. Transparency, as you mentioned, is also a big part of us in our discussions, but also transparency with the community to the extent that we're allowed to do that. So Jim, your final question is um what is it you need to you feel we should know about you that
097you may not have mentioned already? >> Um you know I come to this not as a blank slate because I have the background knowledge but I don't have a um I don't say I don't have a reason for being on the board. I don't have an agenda. I don't have a there's nothing motivating me to come on the board because of this other than the desire to help um and to be able to to contribute. Um I don't think there's anything hidden. My resume kind of speaks for itself. My schoolboard training speaks for itself. Um that doesn't mean I feel I'm the best candidate. I think you all have to decide that. But do I feel I can contribute? Yes. Do I feel I could better the board? Yes. Um and then we'll see what
098happens in a year and a half. whether it's something that we collectively feel that's something I want to continue with or if not if that if it doesn't work that way then I feel like I've been able to contribute gotten you through a year and a half of of of allowing uh of a transition and hopefully made that a little smoother and and then give somebody time to actually run if that's not something I want to do at that point. Yeah. Um the one thing I wanted to mention I noticed and I went through a lot of the policies um skimmed through I didn't read them word for word but um the one thing I I wanted to point out and I like this part um under 2131 under educational goals um it talks about
099uh the mission and it talks about um that we want it says the board of education believes that the mission of the district is being accomplished when there's valid evidence that its educational programs are making it possible for students to achieve one or more of the following educational goals. goals. And the other thing I want to point out is there's uh nine or 10 of them, I think, and they're really good goals. And me as a as a university admissions person, I'm thinking I want to see like most of these, right? And then but but we say one or more. And then underneath it though, we say the board believes that all students the district will be able to demonstrate these applied learnings at a level that's commensurate with their age. And the superintendent is
100charged with responsibility for providing through the district curriculum and appropriate administrative guidelines opportunities for each student to accomplish these goals. So, we're saying they only have to do one or more. But underneath it, we're saying we want them to do as many of them as possible. So, it so it just caught me like I really like what this says, but I would like that to be a little more strong. Like, we really feel these are important. And can we strive to get not just one or more, but as many as possible or something like that. I don't know why that hit me but I just realy strongly when I look at preparation of our graduates um not just from the college side I mean this happens to be what I look at but many of
101them are not college B they're gone for the military or they're going to job force however we're going to prepare them that's important and I just feel that we've done a great job of listing these things and we shouldn't underestimate our ability or their ability to accomplish just one or more but rather as many as possible that was just something I sorry I added that in there but this is your time to to say what you want to say. So, >> but I appreciate your time. I appreciate the opportunity to speak with you and and uh you have some great candidates. I've kind of looked up looked up some of them because I'm curious who else is interviewing. Um you have some good candidates and I and I wish you luck in the process. >>
102Thank you very much. >> We uh will be getting back to you. We will be making a decision tonight. >> Okay. No worries. Thank you. >> Thank you, J.