2023 May Special Election – Tillamook County Pioneer’s Questions for the Candidates: Nestucca School District #101

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What’s so special about this election? The May 2023 election is all about “special districts” – school boards, transportation district, recreation district, fire boards, health districts and more. And for Tillamook County this is a historic election. Never before have there been so many candidates on the ballot. Usually the ballot for this election has one name (or a blank) for the position. The May 2023 ballot will have eight races with multiple candidates for each position. So Tillamook County, it’s time to do your homework, and get to know who these people are that will be in charge of our schools, transportation, health, fire departments, water systems and more. It’s election time – and in Tillamook County there has been an increase in participation in our government process with many races having multiple choices. The Pioneer is proud to provide this opportunity for our community to make informed voting choices and learn about the candidates. We will post the candidate’s answers (that we received) in the contested races with multiple candidates. These questions were gathered from a diverse array of Tillamook County citizens, and provides an opportunity for constituents to compare candidates answers directly.  Again, if there is no response from the candidate, we did not receive their answers.

Here are the candidates for Nestucca School District #101.

NESTUCCA SCHOOL DISTRICT #101

POSITION 1, 2 YR UNEXPIRED TERM
Phil Hurlimann

Joseph A Boyd

Norman Loveland

POSITION 2, 2 YR UNEXPIRED TERM
Sherry Hartford

I’m Sherry Hartford, and I’m running for Board Position # 2 for Nestucca Valley School District.
I chose to run for the school board because I want to encourage more parental choice and community involvement. I am also concerned with funding level changes at the state and local level: I want to ensure the school stays funded during the economic downturn. Finally, I want Nestucca to attract and retrain high quality educators and staff, decreasing turnover.

If I were elected, my top priorities will be: fiscal responsibility and transparency with the community. I will be a positive voice for our children by working for them. I will make student achievement my main focus.

The skills and experiences that have helped me prepare to serve on the school board are unique. I have lived here for most of my life. I have always had a passion for working with youth so I started coaching at Nestucca. I quickly began mentoring the youth as well and continue to mentor to this day. I manage 14 rental homes so my ability to problem solve and compromise has been well established. I also have experience with fiscal responsibility.

The issues I believe the current school board needs to address are:
1) The turnover of quality teachers and staff members. My solution to this problem is to build a strong support system for everyone employed by the district. The ability to have their voices and concerns heard are important to each of them.
2) The drinking water issue the elementary school is currently facing. My solution is to be transparent with the community and as a team, come up with a solution that would ensure safe drinking water at all times.
3) Student achievement and working for our children. They our future, and we must ensure they have all of the tools necessary to exceed in life.

The one improvement is for the current school board to listen to the community. They should compromise and have the ability to come up with a solution that suits our children best. Building a positive relationship through out the district is a must.

I believe the attributes that make a good board member are communication, passion, integrity, strategic planning, team player mentality, sufficient time availability for the board and and school needs.

My vision for our community is to restore the relationship between the school and members of the community back to good standing. To encourage the community to be involved with the school by listening to their ideas and suggestions as well as making them feel heard.

Wally Nelson

  1. Why are you running for this position? First of all, I care about what happens to the District where I had taught Biology and Mathematics for 38 years, plus many other activities for the school.
  2. If elected, what will be your priorities? My priorities is to help provide a great education for our students and support the staff in performing their duties.
  3. What particular experiences or skills have prepared you to serve? I have taught at the high school for 38 years and I also was on the Hebo District school Board in the 60’s until all the Elementary Districts became the Nestucca Valley School District. When I taught at the High School I was Junior Class advisor and Cheerleading advisor for 21 years, volleyball coach for 17 years and choreographer for 24 years all working with students to enhance their school experience. 
  4. What issues do you believe the board needs to address? Please list 3 and your solutions/ideas. The board needs to provide a positive environment for the schools and give support to the Staff and most important the Students. I also want to aide in the positive idea that we live in a different world from the past and help all learn how to deal with what is here and is given.
  5. If you could make one improvement to the work this board does, what would it be? To help the board deal positively and with care to address the concerns that arise in the District as a whole – right now things seem to be going in a good direction.
  6. In your opinion, what attributes must a good board member have? A board member must be open-minded to all concerns that are presented and with the help of all the board develop a plan that is agreed upon by the members and also fall under the laws provided for the school. To be willing to visit with concerned citizens and listen to their ideas and work positively with all. 
  7. What is your vision for our community? To keep our schools operating with a positive approach and to give our students the best education for them to enjoy learning and using what they learn to develop into great citizens and also ideas for what they want in their future.

 

ONE (1) DIRECTOR, POSITION 3, 4 YR TERM
Greg Woods

Diane Boisa

1. Why are you running for this position? To continue to contribute my experience, insight and skill to the success of the NVSD.

2. If elected, what will be your priorities?   I want to help shepard current major projects to their completion: Career Technical Center,  Tillamook County Sheriff Dept. substation, and on-site health clinic.

3. What particular experiences or skills have prepared you to serve? I have served on the board for a long time, so bring important institutional knowledge.  As a K-8 teacher for 27 years, and parent of 11 children who attended NVSD schools, I contribute valuable insights with having been an educator  as well as NVSD parent. . I have volunteered on many committees and projects at NVSD.    I understand that the role of the school board to provide oversight, input and direction for the success of the NVSD.

4. What issues do you believe the board needs to address? Please list 3 and your solutions/ideas.

a) A local pre-school was recently incorporated into the NVSD. The board needs to engage more with the pre-school – to assess operations and integrate them into the district’s planning.

b) There is a high percentage of Spanish-speaking students at NVSD. We need to outreach to and engage their families so that the district adequately addresses their unique needs and makes them feel welcome in   in the community.

 c) Up to this point, academic coursework has focused on preparing all students for college.  The new Career Technical Center will provide an option for students who are not-college bound, A training program in skilled trades, such as carpentry and plumbing, will start in 2023-24 school year.  This program will prepare students to find meaningful work locally.  In addition, the CTE program will help fill a severe   shortage of skilled tradespeople in the County.

5. If you could make one improvement to the work this board does, what would it be? I want to hear more board members speak up. The current board functions well, and I want to see it continue to be productive, pro-active and harmonious.

6. In your opinion, what attributes must a good board member have? Experience and skills to share, willingness to learn, and most importantly, the ability to listen. Each board member has unique perspectives and skills to contribute.

7.What is your vision for our community? I want to see families and the south county community more engaged in NSVD activities and operations.  The expanded and renovated playing fields at the K-8 and high schools provides such opportunity, as will  the planned health clinic and sheriff substation.

ONE (1) DIRECTOR, POSITION 4, 4 YR TERM
Russ Sanders

  1. Why are you running for office? I am running to continue the positive momentum in Nestucca Valley School District (NVSD).  The District is completing a new Career and Technical Education (CTE) building, along with its Preschool, K-8 school and High School.  Great things are happening.  This is an exciting time to be a part of the District. I am running to support the recently completed and adopted Integrated Plan that will focus the District’s work based on the expressed needs of the Nestucca Valley community. (See #4 below) I am running to support the safety and health of students and staff.  I value Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports (PBIS), which creates a positive school climate by providing incentives for appropriate behavior, and structured support for students who struggle with their behavior.  I support the creation of a Community Health Center, to support the health and wellness of the local community.
  2. If elected, what will be your priorities? If elected, I will represent all patrons of the NVSD.  As their elected representative, I will listen to all points-of-view and discuss them with other Board Members before making policy decisions.  I hope to prioritize a culture of consensus while deliberating the options put before the Board. I will prioritize a culture of dignity and respect, within the NVSD, for every student, staff member, parent and patron.
  1. What particular experience or skills have prepared you to serve? I am qualified for this position.  I am retired after 39 years working as a teacher and school administrator in Oregon Public Schools.  I have collaborated with school boards on curriculum mapping, Middle School program design, Vision and Mission Statements, Budget Committees, and grant-writing.  Two of my children have graduated from Nestucca High School.
  1. What issues do you believe the board needs to address?  Please list 3 and your solutions. First, I would promote actions that will address the physical, social and emotional needs of our students.  This can be accomplished per the recently adopted Integrated Plan, with an intentional intervention provided by our School Counselors and staff. Second, I would promote actions that address the academic strengths and weaknesses of each student.  The District gathers periodic data on student academic achievement.  This data drives decision making for targeted academic interventions.  NVSD is small enough that students are well known to all, and their academic needs can be addressed. Third, I would promote actions that will support successful transitions from 8th grade to High School.  This includes CTE surveys, during which a student can choose a path through courses that will help them achieve their post-High School goals. 
  1. If you could make one improvement to the work the board does, what would that be? I would increase the number of presentations to the Board by students and teaching staff.  I welcome feedback from every building (Preschool, K-8, CTE & High School).
  1. In your opinion, what attributes must a good board member have? A good Board Member must be ethical, should be open, fair and honest, with no hidden agenda. A person that gives the staff the respect and consideration due skilled professional employees, respects the right of the public to attend and observe board meetings, respects the right of the public to be informed about district decisions and school operations.
  1. What is your vision for our community? The Nestucca Valley School District is poised for prosperity and offers the promise of progress for all students.  The NVSD is the center of our students’ community lives, and provides opportunities for student involvement in sports, performing arts, career learning experiences, and much more.  It is my vision that the community works together to nurture and support every student as they strive to achieve their full potential.

Zachary Best

  1. The reason I am running for school board position number four, is to continue pushing forward agendas that make sure that the children come first in regards to their safety and their education coupled with fiscal responsibility.
  2. When I get elected my priorities will be to continue building trust, transparency and respect from the parents and community members . Bring in all of the ideas and suggestions that I have gathered from school teachers, volunteers and other community members to have a positive impact on the next generation.
  3. My strongest skills that will be used when I’m elected are communication, compassion, empathy, respect and honesty. Land surveying made me strong in creating open dialogue to allow opposing sides opportunity to cohesively resolve issues. We know not everyone will be fully supported however, everyone should feel represented and heard. Meaning that one side got what they wanted in a way the other side can’t complain about. I feel like I can deliver that!
  4. a.The water issue at the K8. My children have said they often canning drink the water. I would like to find out why the water is this way. Devise a plan and find funding from either donations or fundraising, to remedy our brand new facility of having “ bad” water.  b. School safety. Bring a sheriff to the school by creating an office to work in so they can do reports and work from within and accessible to students and staff. We can backing that up with a program that includes volunteer safety officers, to help keep a watch on all situations from the cafeteria to playgrounds in the hallways, on both campuses. c. Counseling/ student support and engagement. Keeping kids engaged in appropriate activities to decrease their ability to find time to make bad decisions or feel lonely and not involved/important. I think that looks like finding funding for more staff and/or looking for some volunteers. Also expanding the high school graduating specialist to encompass the younger kids at K8 to set them up to focus on the big picture. Additionally find qualified staff or volunteer to set aside time for kids to vent even during class.
  5. The improvement I would make to the wonderful work that the school board does for the children is communicating our positive message better to the parents and community also offering more room for open dialogue.
  6. I think good attributes a school board member should have is equitability, compassion, empathy, respect, honesty, open mindedness, understanding and fairness. With the ability to be precise and direct when making tough decisions, that affect, children, parents, and the community.
  7. My vision for the community is to be inclusive, as we use the sports center and playgrounds. The school district has been fast at work creating wonderful opportunities for us teach our children, the most important lessons and skills to be successful contributors to society. I would like to provide my support in their continued efforts. We the community support the school board, so the school board can support our children!