How do you stay informed about current trends and developments in education?
Diane Hicks, District 2 candidate: I stay informed about current trends and developments in education in many ways. I continue to enjoy reading books about education. I attend local school board meetings, am on the Oregon Department of Education email list, subscribe to multiple education-related journals, maintain friendships with individuals still working in education, and am a member of several education-focused organizations.
Rayla Campbell, District 2 candidate, declined to participate, citing distrust in media.
Chris Holloman, Director 4 candidate: I am an avid consumer of local, regional, and national news. With a child and grandchild currently in SLSD, I am invested in following the developments related to our educational system. My focus is on the continual decline in test scores locally.
Sherry Duerst-Higgins, Director 4 incumbent, declined participation, citing unavailability.
Colleen Valley, Director 5 incumbent: I talk to teachers and district office staff to find out what’s going on and read news stories as well.
Tony Lefler, Director 5 candidate: I really focus on trying to talk to people. I understand that there are two sides to every story. If elected to the Board, I know I cannot jump to conclusions; I need to gather all the facts and make a good, sound decision based on the facts. Also listening to the teachers who are on the ground floor doing the work every day. They have a lot of input and knowledge of the development of our kids. Let’s not forget about the parents. They need to be heard, too. We need to listen to their concerns and ideas. Bottom line, there needs to be lots of communication all the way around.
Jeff Gowing, Director 7 incumbent: I will continue to attend school-related conferences and training opportunities. Following current legislative actions related to education will help me stay informed about legislative activity. I will continue to make regular visits to school buildings and talking with staff a priority.
Bill Parsons, Director 7 candidate: I am a people person and place high value on personal and direct conversations with employees and administrators at South Lane, which I have had over this past year. I have been attending the school board meetings for the past 6 months to familiarize myself with current issues, programs, and needs of South Lane Schools.
What are your top three ideas to reduce youth workforce migration post graduation, and how will you ensure that the school’s curriculum aligns with the evolving needs of the local workforce and community?
Hicks: Some possible ways to help reduce youth workforce migration post H.S. Graduation includes partnering with local and/or state groups, having enough vocational training at the secondary level and the school district helping to facilitate mentorship and networking for students. The district needs to work collaboratively with support services, including job training and counseling, to help youth overcome barriers to employment.
Holloman: I do not believe youth workforce migration post-graduation is a problem. I would hope that all of our graduates would be successful in their future endeavors, no matter where it would take them. We NEED Vocational Training.
Valley: I believe the Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs at the high school help kids get practical experience that they can use for local jobs. We are always looking for new ways to partner and improve these programs. There are also plans to begin those pathways in elementary and middle school. Building more internships and bringing in more industry mentors will also help. As a business owner, I know that we can’t take our eyes off reading comprehension, clear writing skills, and mathematics that are foundational for employment.
Lefler: Get back to the basics of our kids learning the necessary things to get good jobs in our area, such as apprenticeships. Give them the ability and resources to perform hands-on jobs in high school. Trade schools after graduation are another great opportunity for them to learn and stay in the area. Lastly, the curriculum needs to be looked at to make sure it is best for our students in our area. So many times, the curriculum does not match up to our area, and is so far off. So this needs to be looked at ahead of time and make changes at the beginning and not wait till it’s too late.
Gowing: I believe that our CTE program will provide the means necessary to keep students in our local workforce. I will continue to support this program and encourage these programs in all schools and all grades. Connecting students with local employers enhances student knowledge of local employment opportunities. I will continue to help make these connections. Another way to support students is by offering scholarships to both college-bound and technical-bound students.
Parsons: We need to place a higher value on vocational training and apprenticeship opportunities. Many students will end their formal education after graduation, but through vocational training and apprenticeship, they can enter the workforce and succeed in their chosen profession immediately. South Lane school district currently offers many Advanced Placement classes, giving each student a path to earn college credits before graduation, for students continuing to colleges and universities. Our job is not to ensure post-graduation students don’t migrate out of the area or state, but to ensure they have the education and skills necessary to succeed wherever they decide to go.
Census data indicates that 16% of children in Cottage Grove live below the poverty line, which is 10% higher than in the Eugene-Springfield metro area and 25% higher than the state average. What will you do to ensure these children have access to basic needs, academic support, social-emotional learning programs, and an equitable school environment?
Hicks: All children are entitled to have their basic needs met, to have access to academic and social-emotional learning programs and support, and to be treated fairly and included in a safe school environment. The district can address basic needs by increasing access to clothing and school supplies and maintaining free breakfast and lunch programs. Our district can provide academic support by addressing the educational and behavioral needs of all students, with targeted interventions for those who need additional support. Incorporating social-emotional learning (SEL) into the curriculum to promote self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making is also very important. SEL helps build inclusive and equitable spaces. South Lane School District can have safe learning environments where students feel valued, respected, and connected to the school community.
Holloman: The school district’s responsibility is to educate all our students to the highest standards possible. We cannot change the poverty line through the school system. Education comes from qualified teachers who are invested in our community.
Valley: The district already works hard to support these children and families with free meals, take-home food on weekends, summer lunch programs, and healthy food and snacks during the school day, much of which is made from scratch by our nutrition teams. We have social-emotional specialists in each school to guide children, as well as reading experts in all buildings. We are also working to add math specialists. I aim to develop a structured approach to partnering with families to support various forms of learning at home.
Lefler: Every student deserves the best education we can give them. This includes kids living below the poverty line. We need to make sure these kids and their families know we are here to help. Give them the info they need that we have available and offer help to them. If a student is rich or poor, they all need to be treated the same. If any student needs our help, we must do whatever we can for them to succeed. Teachers need to be vocal when they see an issue with any student. Also, the staff needs to be trained on what SLSD has to offer, for the help and assistance of our families in our area.
Gowing: Continuing to support current programs that provide these students with social emotional, physical, and intellectual growth will help all students achieve their potential. Staying informed about funding and other programs that support children in poverty will allow me to support the school administration in providing other tools needed to support students who are facing the many challenges of living in poverty.
Parsons: In 2019, the Student Success Act was passed, expanding the National School Lunch Act from 1946. Our students have access to free meals, breakfast, and lunch at their school. Each South Lane School District school has access to a Community Care Specialist hired by the district to support families through education and coordination of local services needed for additional resources. South Lane employs a McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance liaison, who works with the unhoused or under-housed student and their families, connecting them with local services, food, showers, and available resources. The programs are in place. Making sure these programs can remain in place and families are aware of services is how we best serve our students.
What is your understanding of the school district’s policy regarding ICE’s access to school grounds, students, and staff? What changes, if any, would you advocate for?
Hicks: My understanding of the school district’s policy about ICE’s access to school grounds, students, and staff is that currently there is no policy. The district follows guidance from the state. I would advocate for starting with common protocols for schools to follow. I would like to see a policy in place.
Holloman: There should be no policy for ICE that is any different than any other law enforcement agency.
Valley: We follow the state policy in these matters.
Lefler: The whole staff needs to be trained and know the procedures if this ever happens. We need to follow state and federal guidelines. Main thing is to keep students and staff as calm as we can under these circumstances. But we must follow right procedures an any event.
Gowing: I understand that the School does not give student or staff information to ICE personnel. I would not make any changes at this time.
Parsons: To my understanding, South Lane School District does not have a policy regarding ICE. Protocols are in place, but without detailed information, I can not give an informed or educated answer about my understanding of the protocol or what changes I would advocate for.
How would you advocate for the district’s interests at the local, state, and federal levels?
Hicks: I would advocate for the district’s interests by communicating our specific needs and priorities to local, state and federal elected representatives. I would also encourage our school board to join national advocacy organizations to stay informed about federal education policy and work for our district’s priorities. A strong school board should also collaborate with local organizations to strengthen efforts at the local level.
Holloman: If elected, I will build a relationship with local, state, and federal officials in the education sector. I have been a lifelong advocate for raising the standards and student achievements in our district. The current legacy members of our board have failed our children. The students and patrons of the district have not been well served. I will work diligently with other board members and staff to change this for the better.
Valley: Writing, calling, and speaking in person to those who represent Cottage Grove on these matters.
Lefler: We need to do what’s best for our district period. We are not the same district as Portland. We are so different. So you cannot run our district like it is Portland, and they can’t run Portland like they are us. We need to take a good, hard look at what we are doing. The test scores we have in our district are well below the state average. Nationally, Oregon ranks very low. So what we are doing now is not working. We need to refocus on what’s best for our kids. Our kids don’t need the distractions that are happening every day. They just need to be taught schoolwork, not other agendas.
Gowing: By staying updated on Federal and State funding policies, I can help ensure that we receive available funds. Corresponding with government representatives about my support or non-support of legislative bills is another way for me to advocate.
