TOPICS: TEACHER PAY, DEI, PATRON COMMENTS, TOO MANY ADMINISTRATORS? HERE'S WHO'S RUNNING FOR SCHOOL BOARD. AND, THE QUESTIONS THEY ANSWERED LAST NIGHT.
Three candidates are running for two seats in Rockwood's school board this year:
Sarah Boyer
Izzy Imig
Izzy Imig
Maura Vorachek-Warren
ONE INCUMBENT, ONE APPOINTEE, ONE NEVER ON THE BOARD BEFORE
Boyer is new, Vorachek-Warren has been on the board for 9 months after replacing the seat left vacant when Jessica Clark resigned early, and Izzy Imig has served a full 3 year term after being elected in 2022.
TWO TEACHERS AND AN ARABIC TRANSLATOR
Both Boyer and Vorachek-Warren have teaching backgrounds. Boyer is with the Special School District in Parkway. Vorachek-Warren is a faculty member and administrator at St. Charles Community College. Imig was an Arabic translator for the U.S. Army and Fortune 500 companies.
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| As seen on Rockwood's website. |
You can read more about the candidates here.
NO RNEA ENDORSEMENT
None of the candidates is endorsed by the teacher's union. The RNEA (Rockwood National Education Association let members know in January that it will not endorse anyone this year. (The message can be seen at the bottom of this post.)
TOPICS
At the League of Women Voters candidate forum March 5th (Wednesday night), all three school board candidates gave opening and closing statements, and answered 14 questions on a range of topics.
At the League of Women Voters candidate forum March 5th (Wednesday night), all three school board candidates gave opening and closing statements, and answered 14 questions on a range of topics.
Below are the questions (paraphrased), and the approximate time stamps for where you can watch the candidates' complete answers.
This is the link to watch the recorded video: League of Women Voters Candidate Forum.
(Each time stamp below is a link to the full recorded video. Go back or forward to find that spot.)
FIVE QUESTIONS RELATED TO TEACHER NEGOTIATIONS
1) How would you pay teachers more while honoring the board's concerns?
At 7:12 in the video.
2) To pay teachers more, would you support using reserve funds? A tax levy increase? What would you cut? At 16:29.
3) How are you going to prioritize teacher retention and recruitment?
At 23:36.
4) Thoughts on no paid maternity leave or short term disability for teachers?
At 32:04.
5) Can we reduce the number of administrators?
At 45:51.
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TWO QUESTIONS RELATED TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
1) How will you promote DEI and a culture of belonging?
At 10:35 in the video.
2) Should Rockwood keep the Educational Equity and Access department with this current political climate? At 43:35 .
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QUESTION ABOUT PATRON COMMENTS
How to support collaboration with community colleges.
At 26:59.
What do you think the district's role should be in student mental health?
At 29:22.
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QUESTIONS RELATED TO ROLE/FUNCTIONS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD
How to make it to all the board meetings.
At 13:25 in the video.
Thoughts on how to address declining enrollment while also having some overcrowding?
At 20:35 .
How to improve the school board's reputation.
At 37:45.
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Election day is April 8th.
MORE DETAIL
RNEA says it's not endorsing:
