Q&A with Patrick Miller, running for Weld RE-4 School District Board of Education District D
Name: Patrick Miller
Race: Weld RE-4 District D
Q: Why are you interested in running for a seat on the Board of Education and what are your qualifications?
A: I was appointed to my seat in January 2022, and wish to continue in my role on the BOE. I have over 20 years of finance and accounting experience, and I think that translates well in guiding the district in managing its resources to maximize the benefits for our kids and community.
Q: What is the biggest issue facing the school district, and, if elected, how would you address it?
A: Growth is the ongoing issue facing Weld RE-4. I plan to reduce the use of bond money to fund ongoing capital improvements and maintenance projects. We can do this through a strategic review of facilities needs and ensure we are maximizing fund money to invest back into our facilities and district.
Q: How do you define parental rights as it pertains to public education? What level of input should parents/guardians have in curriculum selection and content?
A: We are lucky in Weld RE-4 that parents have ample opportunities to be involved in our district. Parents are essential to provide input into our curriculum and how it is taught in our schools. I would continue to advocate for parental involvement in our curriculum committees and accountability committees to ensure our curricula match the values of our community.
Q: Learning loss during the COVID-19 pandemic, when schools switched to remote and hybrid instruction, is significant across the nation. What should the school district be doing to close that gap?
A: The school district should continue to use data from CMAS and standardized testing to find ways to move the needle forward and focus on the specific gaps in the grade levels. We should develop action plans that show how specific actions will increase a score and hold our teams accountable to those plans.
Q: We are in a high-growth area that will continue to require the building of new schools. What steps should the school district take to ensure equity among students in both old and new facilities?
A: This goes back to strategic capital planning, as well as oversight of how our bond funds are spent. We shouldn't be extravagant when filling our new schools with furniture and fixtures — and alternatively we should make sure we are on a cycle of replacing and updating fixtures within our existing buildings to maximize our investments and ensure our learning spaces are adequate and innovative.
Q: Given the rising cost of living in Northern Colorado, what steps should be taken to ensure the district is able to attract and retain the best teachers, administrators and district leaders?
In 2023, we were able to make a big investment in our staff, by giving an average 9% raise to certified staff. As we move forward, we know we won't get that big of an increase from the state in future years. We have to explore alternatives to keep teachers engaged — four-day weeks, more behavior support in school, and adequate class sizes are all things we can explore as we try to stay competitive and ahead of other districts in our area.
This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Q&A with Patrick Miller, running for Weld RE-4 school board District D
