The Becker Education Foundation and PTSA hosted a “Meet the School Board Candidates” open forum at the high school Thursday night, giving district members the opportunity to ask questions and hear for themselves what the candidates had to say.

 

Moderated by Mark Kolbinger and Kathy Geary, the event was attended by around 30 youth and adults. Four of the five candidates were in attendance; incumbent Aaron Jurek, incumbent Mark Swanson, Ryan Obermoller and Mike Steckelberg. The fifth candidate, Randy Bader, was unable to attend due to a previous commitment. 

 

Prior to the evening, district members were asked to submit questions through the forum and PTSA Facebook pages. Attendees were also encouraged to write questions on index cards during the actual event.

 

With each candidate receiving two minutes to answer individual questions, the forum began with introductions. 

 

Obermoller informed the crowd he was running for the school board because he’s at the early stages of his kids’ educational career and wants to ensure Becker stays a great place to go to school.

 

“What I bring to the table is that I’m an accountant by trade,” he said. “Numbers are my life. I like analyzing them, which is a benefit from the budget and referendum side of the issues.”

 

Jurek stated he stands out as a candidate because of his 20 years of experience in education and as a parent of four students currently in the district, both of which give him an understanding of the school. 

 

“I’m running because I know the value of good education,” he said. “This is one way I can give back.”

 

Steckelberg stated he became a candidate because he wants to help the school board and help develop curriculum that meets today’s technology needs. He said his prior school board experience and experience in phases of technology over the years is what makes him stand out.

 

Swanson said this year was going to be a challenge as the school looks at hiring a new superintendent, and he wants to help it run smoothly, have financial stability and set policies correctly.

 

“I’ve never taken the pay that goes along with being on the school board,” he said. “It’s my service to the community and what I believe in.”

 

Jurek and Swanson each stated their biggest priorities if elected would be finding the right superintendent candidate and making sure the budget had the funds needed for the school to operate. Steckelberg, who had previously held a position on another school board, said his priority would be getting up to speed on the policies set in Becker, and Obermoller added that he’d like to expand the mental health services offered.

 

Asked what they felt what some of the biggest challenges faced by the district were, all the candidates agreed hiring a new superintendent was number one.

 

Swanson and Obermoller added mental health and Jurek included the issue of more space due to the school’s growth both within the district and through open enrollment.

 

“The biggest challenges will be finding a new superintendent and the new referendum that will be coming,” said Steckelberg. “How do you keep a good attitude about education in the community? People don’t like taxes.”

 

When asked what role they felt the school district should have in dealing with illegal drug use, all the candidates stated it should be supporting the students.

“It’s around and students are drawn to it,” said Jurek. “It’s our responsibility to educate them so they can make good decisions.” 

 

“Education is also communication,” said Obermoller. “When the wellness center was erected kids started talking to teachers and staff and suddenly we’ve got 20 kids in the center. I think we can take that same concept and use it for the issue of drugs.”

 

Candidates were also asked a number of other questions voters were interested in, including how stakeholder input could be increased, what role they felt extracurricular activities play in the curriculum, and how to close the gap between kids who struggle, kids that are average and kids that are succeeding.