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The Chamber Business Advocates Committee asked the candidates the following questions:
What is the most pressing issue facing the School District in the next year?
How will you recommend addressing that issue?
What is the most pressing issue facing the School Board at this time?
How will you recommend addressing that issue?
What qualities do you possess that would add value to the School Board?
Is there anything you’d like to add?
Candidates for School Board:
Burt Bardahl
Jason Engbrecht
Jon Lane
Richard Olson
Jerry Robicheau
Colleen Rolling
Helmut Schwartz
Terry Watkins Did not respond
James Wolf
In the September 2 Primary Election three candidates will be eliminated.
Six will continue to the General Election on November 4.
Burt Bardal………………………………………………………………………………
What is the most pressing issue facing the School District in the next year?
The biggest problems will be financial. There will be 2 issues to vote on:
- A $15 million bond to repair facilities
- Reviewing the current levy referendum
How will you recommend addressing that issue?
- A maximum effort must be made to connect the school and community
- Everyone-school-city-population must be on the same page
- There has to be an improvement of trust and credibility by the board with the community
What is the most pressing issue facing the School Board at this time?
The school board does not have credibility with the community
How will you recommend addressing that issue?
- Be honest with all information
- We need to establish a strong connection with community and school
- We need to stress that a good school system is very important to everyone
What qualities do you possess that would add value to the School Board?
I have been involved with the school system for 29 years. I have worked with people in the community and organizations to promote a positive relationship between school and community
Is there anything you’d like to add?
The school must be more careful with financial resources.
- Losing over $100,000 by failure to reach a contract agreement by the deadline
- Paying $178 per hour for an outside negotiator who has no connection to school or community (big mistake)
- Reducing class size has to become a major priority
- We need to make better use of our facilities
Phone contact: 507-210-4770
Jason Engbrecht………………………………………………………………………..
What is the most pressing issue facing the School District in the next year?
The successful implementation of the district’s curriculum plan to meet the goals of Annual Yearly Progress set by the State.
How will you recommend addressing that issue?
A plan has been developed by experts within the district. The school board needs to follow its implementation closely.
What is the most pressing issue facing the School Board at this time?
The School Board needs to reestablish trust with the teachers of the district after the recent difficult contract negotiations.
How will you recommend addressing that issue?
I will suggest that individual school board members meet regularly with small groups of teachers to build lines of communication.
What qualities do you possess that would add value to the School Board?
I have extensive experience in education and can use my communication skills to build strong relationships with school board members, teachers, and the community.
Is there anything you’d like to add?
I’m excited to serve Faribault as a school board member and would love to receive questions at home or at jasonengbrecht@gmail.com.
Phone contact: 507-334-2711
Jon Lane……………………………………………………………………………….
What is the most pressing issue facing the School District in the next year?
Stabilizing District Administration, Budget, Test scores, Class Size
How will you recommend addressing that issue?
“True” zero-based budgeting using the mission of the school district, educating our children, as our guiding principle when allocating monies, reinstating cut academic programs such as reading, and reduce class sizes.
What is the most pressing issue facing the School Board at this time?
The public has NO trust or confidence in the school board or their ability to appropriately spend the school districts funds.
How will you recommend addressing that issue?
As a school board member, we need to inspire our constituents and students of the district to allow us to lead by making decisions based on the mission of the school district, and to be able to articulately defend those decisions based on the best interests of ALL the students of the district. We can start this process by conducting “Town Hall” style meetings for the entire school board to answer questions from the public.
What qualities do you possess that would add value to the School Board?
As a Paramedic, I have to make decisions on a regular basis that can affect the health and well-being of my patients. As the leader of an EMS team I have to conduct myself in such a way to inspire my patients, their families, and my fellow team members, by being responsive to them and their rapidly changing conditions, and performing in a way that is in the best interest of my patient.
Is there anything you’d like to add?
I have always been very upfront with the fact that my wife is a teacher in the district. I have no further political or financial ambitions, and, unlike most of the current board members, I have children that currently attend Faribault Public Schools. We face very difficult times as a school district, and only by partnering with the community can we both heal, and solve our fiscal and confidence crisis handed to us by the departing school board members.
Phone contact: 507-210-3640
Richard Olson……………………………………………………………………………
What is the most pressing issue facing the School District in the next year?
The most pressing issue is the building improvement needs as presented by our facilities manager.
How will you recommend addressing that issue?
By allowing the voters to decide on the capital improvement issue on the next year’s ballot.
What is the most pressing issue facing the School Board at this time?
The high turnover rate on the school board should be minimized for board stability.
How will you recommend addressing that issue?
Because of the demands of frequent meetings, some board members find it difficult to work around their job schedules. Prioritizing issues facing the board could eliminate some meetings, thus this could be one solution to member retention.
What qualities do you possess that would add value to the School Board?
I am always willing to listen to both sides on an issue before making a final decision and at the same time, keeping the welfare of the students as my top priority.
Is there anything you’d like to add?
The last four years on the board have been rewarding and at the same time, most challenging. I would like to continue the work we have started in the areas of curriculum improvements and administrative stability.
Phone contact: 507-334-2373
Jerry W. Robicheau…………………………………………………………………..
What is the most pressing issue facing the School District in the next year?
The issues I see as most pressing are (a) establishing fiscal responsibility and integrity.
(b) Challenges to increase student achievement that comes with changing demographics and (c) establishing accountability
How will you recommend addressing that issue?
It is important to establish a system of allocating limited resources to enable increasing student achievement. Along with this the need to assure teachers and staff are provided quality professional development that address best teaching practices.
What is the most pressing issue facing the School Board at this time?
Rebuilding trust with community and establishing credibility within the system itself
How will you recommend addressing that issue?
Schedule bi-monthly public communication forums to be held in the community. This would be an open invitation to anyone in the community who wants to know more about the operation of the district.
In addition, there would be an open forum held one hour prior to the Board meetings.
What qualities do you possess that would add value to the School Board?
I have been a resident of Faribault since 1982. I have over 30 years experience in education as a teacher, administrator, superintendent, and a university professor. I understand the dynamics of how an education system works. I have served on the Civil Service Commission and currently serve as the treasurer for the District One Hospital Board.
Is there anything you’d like to add?
ISD 656 is a quality school system with outstanding dedicated staff. I am committed to maintaining that quality. I understand the need to operate in an open and honest communication environment and work in partnerships with community, staff, and administration of ISD 656.
Phone contact: 507-334-4403
Colleen E Rolling……………………………………………………………………
What is the most pressing issue facing the School District in the next year?
A budget that best provides for the students and covers all our expenses.
How will you recommend addressing that issue?
Cut costs that make most senses and that do not take away from the students getting the best possible education.
What is the most pressing issue facing the School Board at this time?
The teacher contract.
How will you recommend addressing this issue?
Hearing both sides and making a decision based on what is most beneficial to the teachers and the students.
What qualities do you possess that would add value to the School Board?
A willingness to listen and understand what is happening to make the decision that is best for everyone involved, along with that a willingness to seek answers to the challenges and questions I do not understand.
Is there anything you'd like to add?
The education of MY children is my first priority. Because of this, I volunteer on a regular basis both at Jefferson and the Middle School. I have been around these students and they deserve the best education. They are our future. We must keep them as our primary focus.
Phone contact: 507-331-9328
Helmut (Butch) J. Schwartz…………………………………………………………..
What is the most pressing issue facing the School District in the next year?
We have 3 # one’s right now:
Bringing up our test scores
Building and grounds issues
In one year, another teacher contract
How will you recommend addressing that issue?
By looking into all issues:
See if we can get an interim look at test scores
Check out all buildings and grounds issues and see if some things are good
Take part in negotiation sessions
What is the most pressing issue facing the School Board at this time?
Water issues at some schools
How will you recommend addressing that issue?
I am in favor of the Bonding for repairs
What qualities do you possess that would add value to the School Board?
I run a business with 2 locations, 20 to 21 employees for 24 years
Owned many properties-big and small
Is there anything you’d like to add?
I am somewhat conservative. I hate waste.
Phone contact: 507-332-8823
Name: _Terry A. Watkins................................_______________________________________
What is the most pressing issue facing the School District in the next year?
- Maintaining instructional relevance: meeting the varied goals of its students In the midst of a rapidly changing world, financial shortfalls, and governmental mandates.
How will you recommend addressing that issue?
- Through the creative commitment of the administration and teachers, continued awareness of the students’ needs and desires, and cooperation with the community.
What is the most pressing issue facing the School Board at this time?
- Pursuing a sound fiscal policy to insure that the community is receiving the maximum educational return on its tax dollars.
How will you recommend addressing that issue?
- Through constant scrutiny, dedication to purpose, and open and honest communication and collaboration with the community.
What qualities do you possess that would add value to the School Board?
- I am an attorney and a C.P.A. I have owned businesses and turned around financially-troubled companies. I understand fund accounting, budgets, and expense prioritization.
Is there anything you’d like to add?
- Success is a learned habit that begins with understanding and meeting the needs of the stakeholders [students, taxpayers, teachers, etc.]. If the community believes the school district is dedicated to being the best district in the state and senses progress in that regard, the support will be there to permit the continued success.
James Wolf………………………………………………………………………………
What is the most pressing issue facing the School District in the next year?
The most pressing issue facing the School District is finances. The School District is not unique in this regard, as this is probably the same challenge facing a majority of organizations, especially those in the non-profit sector. However, the School District’s challenge in this regard is greater than most other organizations because 1) the need for educational services is huge (meeting diverse needs, teaching to compete in the global economy, etc.) while 2) the source of finances (primarily taxes) must be viewed as a limited resource.
How will you recommend addressing that issue?
There obviously is no “easy fix” for solving the financial issues. To some extent, I believe the financial issues are heightened by the state formula for school funding. I would recommend the School Board work with legislators and other schools in similar circumstances to seek corrective legislative action.
What is the most pressing issue facing the School Board at this time?
The School Board exists to help solve the issues (as well as to capitalize on the opportunities) of the School District. To state it another way, the agenda of the School District and the School Board should be the same. Therefore, the answer to this question is by definition, the same answer as the answer to the first question- finances.
How will you recommend addressing that issue?
The role of the School Board in addressing this issue is to be good stewards of the resources entrusted to the School District and its Board. If the Board has the reputation for sound stewardship and good decision-making, trust will follow and that is a very important factor in good governance.
This formula requires that individual School Board members make decisions without preconceived bias, with one exception-- Board members should have a bias to always act in the best interests of the students.
What qualities do you possess that would add value to the School Board?
Serving on a governing board requires knowledge about the role of Boards and how they should function. Through my extensive experience in governance, both as a Board member and in the coordination of Boards, I believe I possess that knowledge. I know the limits of where governance stops and management begins. I understand financial matters from a governing point of view. I am serious about the responsibilities of being a Board member.
Is there anything you’d like to add?
My personal philosophy as a Board member would be “Giving Faribault Students Every Opportunity We Can While Being Good Stewards of the District’s Resources.”
Phone contact: 507-3324733
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