Tuesday, 75-100 people descended upon the Learning Center at Becker High School for a School Board Candidate Forum hosted by the PTSA.

*Note: Carla Berger and Renee Regel are on the ballot but Berger was not in attendance and Regel has withdrawn from the candidacy due to a recent hire with the city.

Eight candidates vying for five seats on the board were asked questions by Moderator Tracy Bertram (Mayor of Becker) and the meeting lasted about an hour and a half.

Bertram allowed each candidate to introduce themselves and give a brief bio of themselves for the audience, then she dove into pre-prepared questions each candidate was allowed to answer.

Bertram began the Q&A by asking each candidate what their vision for the school district was. Corey Stanger, a 1996 Becker graduate and current teacher and coach at Monticello, said the vision should be that the district help to create well-rounded students, improve academics and make schools safe.

Aaron Jurek, a 12-year school board veteran, said the district needs to keep academics and learning at a high level, endorse and promote extra curriculars and have Becker Schools be the “cream of the crop”.

Sarah Colford, a 2002 grad and current chairperson for APEC (The American Indian Parent Advisory Council), said it’s important for the district to keep building life-long learners and bring multi-cultural awareness to Becker.

Keri Rickard, a Washington transplant and business owner, said safe schools is important and the school needs to better prepare kids for the world and not just college.

Pete Weismann, appointed to an interim position on the School Board in June, said the school district needs to create more opportunities for kids, prepare them better for college and beyond and promote the good things the school district is already doing.

Troy Berning, also appointed to the school board in June following resignations, said the district needs to strive for life-long learners, keep the school as the heart of the Becker community and get kids to grow up and want to return here and raise families in Becker.

Ryan Hubbard, President of Hubbard Electric in Becker, said life-long learning is very important as well as developing mentor-ship programs to help kids grow. He notes he is proud of the district and the schools he and his children have attended through the years.

Nathan Koubsky, another Becker graduate says the district needs to focus on what it excels at and maintain that excellence. He says the district needs to focus on better transparency and make diversity and inclusion an emphasis.

Bertram then asked the candidates what is the biggest capital need for the district?

Colford said it was important to continue to build the community, get things back to basics and get more people involved.

Rickard spoke of the free breakfasts the school is providing for all students this year and endorses more programs such as that. She pointed out special education was a deficit and said she believes “all students have special needs.”

Weismann said funding is an issue and the district needs to avoid annual referendums. He says the school needs to “stay in front”of the depleting funding sources that are looming.

Berning agreed with Weismann about funding, saying that 25% of the school’s funding comes from the Sherco plant and “should that go away, there may be major problems”. He noted the referendum projects currently underway and stressed how important it is to keep them maintained.

Hubbard identified soaring costs and inflation as a concern and stressed that funding is key to maintaining the current and future building plans of the school.

Koubsky said it’s important to take care of faculty and to try and control the school environment so faculty will want to stay at Becker Schools and help it strive.

Stanger said it’s important for there to be more green space for kids, get the kids outside and make sure the buildings and grounds are sustainable for the future.

Jurek said finances are the biggest concern right now and noted not everyone in the community would be “for” having referendums every five years or so. He pointed out it’s important to build the trust back in the community with the current and future boards.

Bertram then asked the candidates how they handle stress, conflict and disagreements in their daily life and how that would happen should they be seated on the board after the election.

Rickard said it is important not to always agree but to try and use creative thinking to solve issues. She said its good to not be afraid to stand up for one’s beliefs or concerns and have healthy conversations.

Weismann said “it’s okay to disagree”, but it’s very important to be a good listener first. He said everyone needs to find understanding to discover common ground solutions.

Berning acknowledged that listening is key and mentioned the “art of compromise” as a keystone to conflict resolutions and disagreements. “Listen to each other but also listen to the community,” he said.

Hubbard said he heard from someone say, listening is more important than talking, “that’s why we have two ears and one mouth.” He also mentioned compromise is critical and to be civil.

Koubsky agreed that listening is essential and said having an open mind is also of utmost importance. “Open minds discussing scenarios help people come to crucial conclusions.”

Stanger, referring to being a coach, said he loves being part of a team and being on the school board is part of being on a team. Listening and being compassionate were key areas or him and focusing the decision-making on what is ideal for the kids.

Jurek said it’s important for the board to have constructive conversations and come to a consensus on what is best for the kids.

Colford said its important to empower others and appreciate the differences each comes to the table with.

Bertram shifted gears and asked the candidates how they would work towards restoring order in the school district.

Weismann said rules and principles are important and making policies fair, uniform and productive will overall aid and protect the students, teachers and faculty.

Berning said adjustments need to be made to policies to make them fair and consistent as well as consistently enforcing them.

Hubbard said its important to restore trust and faith in students, parents and staff and get those kids who don’t feel valued or connected, connected. “Believe in your neighbor and classmate and order will be restored.”

Koubsky said “we need to maintain and improve the ‘order’ that the school already has.” He pointed out it is important to also be flexible and reasonable when amending and introducing policies.

Stanger said policies need to be enforced and it’s important to get “everyone under the same umbrella.” He said he didn’t agree that order needs to be restored, just that it needs better unity.

Jurek said all public schools are facing the same kinds of hardships Becker Schools is facing and emphasized that “we have rules and expectations and we try and hold all students and teachers to it.”

Colford said it’s key to look at current policies and to make sure they are helpful to the school and the community. She says modifications of policies or rescinding of policies should always be considered.

Rickard said “we need to maintain order and keep it from falling into disorder.” She says policies need to be expanded and enforced.

Bertram then asked the candidates how their role as school board members differs from that of the superintendent, staffers and administration.

Berning said the school board members represent the community by setting policy and procedures to run the school properly. He noted the superintendent and staff is the more “day-to-day” kinds of things that the board doesn’t necessarily deal with.

Hubbard said being on the school board is similar to being on a board of directors for a company - one creates policy and allow the “employees to run things. “We, as school board members, would be in the background as compared to Supt. Schmidt and his staff.”

Koubsky said his role would be to represent the community and be a voice for families and parents in making policies and implementing them. He also said the board would be responsible for keeping the superintendent and administration accountable in their roles.

Stanger said “we are the overseers and we set goals and policy and allow the superintendent and staff to execute those things on a daily basis.”

Jurek said the school board is the voice of the community where they set policy and guide financial decisions. “The superintendent then moves the board’s policies forward.”

Colford said the board listens to the community and supports the superintendent and administration in the policies they implement.

Rickard said policies are crafted bu the school board and then carried out by the administration in the school’s everyday business. She said the board makes decisions and the staffers implement them.

Weismann said the school board’s job is to be accountable to the people who elected them, to the people in the community and to the students. “The superintendent and staffers are accountable to the board,” he said.

Bertram’s final question was, “Why vote for me, why am I the best candidate?”

Hubbard said he was happy with all the candidates vying for the seats and said”whoever gets voted in, the school will be in good hands.” He pointed out his business background and dealing with employees can be a refreshing way to bring a new voice to the board.

Koubsky, a Director of Analytics said he could bring data and logic to the board and has a strong desire to be inclusive to everybody. “I have a different perspective,” he said.

Stanger said he is a compassionate educator who believes in Becker Schools and is proud of the education offered in this district. He wants to bring his skills to the board to work with all the kids in the best way he knows how.

Jurek said he thinks the district is “moving in the right direction.” He says he is passionate about Becker and the future of its education and schools and he wants to continue to be a part of it.

Colford says she wants to be on the board because she wants to be more involved and continue to learn. She wants to see kids succeed and help in any way to make them grow in their experiences.

Rickard suggested everyone just vote from their heart. She reminded the constituents that being a school board member is a big commitment and she is ready, willing and able to be a part of it.

Weismann said people need to look for common sense and common ground when choosing a candidate. He says he believes in the school district and its future and wishes to be on the board to help continue its growth and success.

Berning said “I am not an academic. I am not a politician, but I can bring a new perspective.” He says he believes his team-leading background could be a benefit to the board and hopes people vote for him to continue the work he;s started.

Stanger, Jurek, Weismann, Rickard, Colford and Koubsky are vying for three of the four-year terms while Hubbard, Berning and Carla Berger are on the ballot running for two of the two-year seats.