As election day approaches, less than a month away now, voters of Newton turned out to a forum at the Meridian Center Wednesday night to learn more about the six candidates running for USD 373 board of education.
With three seats opening, as the members who currently fill them are not seeking re-election, the candidates themselves noted just how impactful this election could be.
"This is a huge opportunity for our community to define the face of our board of education for years to come," said board candidate Angela Becker.
Of course, another ballot item that could shape the immediate future for the district is the school bond issue — a topic that has seemingly been intertwined with the concurrent school board election, even though the candidates' input in its current stage has been similar to any other member of the voting public. Wednesday night was no different, as multiple questions were asked of the candidates (Becker, Mallory Morton, Andy Harder, Jennifer Budde, David Oller and Toby Tyner) regarding different aspects of the potential bond project.
In terms of support, the field of candidates was split in regards to the bond issue — with Becker, Tyner and Oller against it, while Morton, Harder and Budde spoke in favor of it.
Harder admitted he was against the bond and its $61 million dollar price tag initially, but was soon swayed when doing more investigation into the building needs — a reason Budde came to support the issue as well.
"We have significant needs at all of our schools, really, but the most important school that needs addressed is the high school," Budde said. "It is in sad, sad shape, and we need to address it now."
Nearly uniformly, one aspect of the bond that most candidates could not get behind was the reconfiguration of the buildings, with the elementary schools to absorb the fifth grade classes and establishing Chisholm and Santa Fe as two separate middle school buildings for grades six through eight.
From personal experience, both Harder and Oller spoke out against such a shift, as both recalled the communal divide while enrolled in USD 373 during a previously split middle school structure. Others listened to those in the buildings currently to inform their views.
"I've yet to speak to a teacher in our district who thinks this is a good idea," Tyner said. "I don't see how we can ignore that."
As for what happens if the bond doesn't pass, candidates were all for going right back to work at engaging the community, not letting apathy set in, and trying to generate a bond that would have Newton's support. Questions arose about what exactly the timeline would look like regarding a new bond, but all candidates pledged that, pass or fail, they are committed to working in support of whatever the voters decide.
Besides the bond issue, candidates were also asked about their own goals and inherent challenges for the school district, with finances and funding being a shared concern among many.
"We need to come up with better ways to spend the money we have that best benefits students," Harder said.
Providing for the students and teachers was a common cause the candidates rallied around, while Tyner and Becker specifically advocated for a focus on addressing the shortage in regards to the latter through better pay, benefits, etc. Additionally, openness among the board and engaging the community were common goals among the candidates.
Safety, given recent events, was also a concern addressed by the school board candidates, with all in agreement that the ALICE training for active shooter situations is a step in the right direction — though Harder stated he would also like to see building doors locked at all times and more security cameras employed at all facilities.
Most of the candidates' prior involvement in USD 373 schools revolves around their own children, whether through enrollment, school activities or, for Morton, various volunteerism in the buildings. Even Becker, though the lone candidate with no children of her own in the Newton schools, has gotten involved with area youth through work with the local YMCA and Newton Public Library.
Difficult decisions will have to be made no matter who is elected. Posed with one such scenario about what candidates would cut from the budget if funding continues to be slashed, busing and district office salaries were the only specific ideas brought up (by Tyner and Budde, respectively), but all took the view that in such trying times a collaborative effort would be best.
"I don't have the answers to all the questions. I'm not going to act like I do, but I will seek them out," Morton said. "It's not just my vote if I'm elected. I want to vote as a representative of the community."
