Germantown School Board candidates discuss race and diversity, COVID mitigation measures and services they want to see improved
While the Germantown School Board has three seats up for election this year, just one of them requires a primary.
Incumbent Raymond Borden, who holds Seat No. 2, will face off against challengers Russ Ewert and Tracy Parker in the Feb. 15 primary. The top two vote-getters will advance to the April 5 general election.
The candidates responded to a short questionnaire about their views on a variety of topics. Their answers were limited to 100 words each.
How should topics related to race and diversity be taught in the district?
Raymond Borden: We need input from all teachers as to how they can best provide inclusive teaching strategies for race and diversity and how we can support them. We also have to realize that teaching students in the classroom goes so much further than the basic curriculum. The entire school district needs to promote respect for every student, regardless of race, sexual orientation, religion or cultural beliefs. This has to happen in every classroom, every hallway and every bus ride. Promoting development or relationship skills, treating all with respect is everyone's responsibility.
Russ Ewert: I’m a proponent of the nonpartisan organization FAIR (Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism), which promotes a “pro-human” approach to the topics surrounding race and diversity in our communities. This is in contrast to how critical race theory is currently manifesting itself in our education system by seeking to divide our students and staff based on immutable characteristics such as race. My wife and I, along with other concerned Germantown parents and stakeholders, advocated for and stand by the new GSD Board policy (PO2132 subsections N. O. and P., implemented Aug. 23, 2021).
Tracy Parker: Every child should feel valued, respected, included and safe at school. As more and more students, educators and parents call for training on these issues, it is incumbent upon the school board to consider methods of meeting these demands.
Masks have been optional in the district this school year. Should masks remain optional or be required for in-person learning? And what are your thoughts on in-person vs. virtual learning?
Borden: The pandemic has caused many mask or don't mask battles. All kids need to be in the classroom, and I support an optional mask mandate. I completely appreciate and respect those that are unable to attend in-person classes due to COVID, and my goal would be that our virtual learning for those that can't attend would completely align with the Germantown curriculum, including being allowed to attend class remotely while it is actually occurring. Virtual does not mean different learning, just different settings. We need to think outside the box.
Ewert: Parents have final say over medical choices for their children. As I continue speaking with parents, their overwhelming response is to keep masks optional. I do not want to see division created in our classrooms and schools by segregating students based on mask or vaccine status. The pandemic has shown us that students perform better during in-person learning. We have seen throughout the state academic performance dropping the past two years, evident by declining math and reading proficiency. In addition, some students do not have reliable access to home internet, making virtual learning a barrier to academic success.
Parker: In an educational setting, certainty and consistency is necessary so that children feel comfortable and safe. At times, this may require masking and at other times it may not. Looking for an all or nothing answer on mitigation measures in a quickly changing environment does not serve the interests of the students or staff.
Name one or two specific services already provided by the district that you would like to see improved and describe how you would pay for those improvements.
Borden: The big question is how do we retain our great group of teachers? How do we compensate those that continuously go above? While I don't have the answer to this, current policies aren't working and continue to have a goal that breaks the old school model and a system that recognizes those that promote taking our district forward. I want to hold the administration accountable for listening to our teaching staff, for recognizing those staff who support and provide progress with education in Germantown School District and compensating them for being the professionals that they are.
Ewert: In our district, we have found divisive information being presented to staff through teacher in-services. Parents should not be required to file a FOIA request for information involving teacher in-services or student curriculum and materials. Parents should be able to see everything that is presented to their students. I would seek to have a board policy for full curriculum transparency, access to all educational materials and access to teacher training materials. Our district has started this process, but it lacks course materials and falls short of our parents' requests for full transparency. This process would have a low financial impact.
Parker: One area I would like to see improved is bus service. Last year, routes were reduced, causing changes to start and end times. It has caused some issues for parents and children, and I would like to see this addressed. Our new virtual school and 4K program may bring additional revenue that could allow us to tackle this.
Raymond Borden
Age: 54
Address: W161 N10785 Creek Terrace Court, Germantown
Past political experience: Six years on Germantown School Board
Community involvement: 26 years residing in the community, retired Germantown police officer where I held the positions of crime prevention officer, DARE officer and school resource officer. Served on numerous community boards
Contact information: rborden@gsdwi.org
Russ Ewert
Age: 37
Address: N113W20049 Merkel Drive, Germantown
Past political experience: None
Community involvement: Member, Volunteer Board of Governance for Germantown Virtual School
Contact info: www.voterussewert.com or Russ Ewert for Germantown School Board Facebook page
Tracy Parker
Age: 45
Address: N100W16825 Revere Lane, Germantown
Past political experience: None
Community involvement: Destination Imagination team manager
Contact info: 612-281-1161, tracylinparker@gmail.com
Contact Alec Johnson at (262) 875-9469 or alec.johnson@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @AlecJohnson12.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Three candidates will face off in Germantown School Board primary
