School Board candidates in Waynesboro's Ward D asked about key educational issues

Election Day is Tuesday. The News Leader asked area parents and educators what they'd like to know about their candidates for school board in Waynesboro. We selected eight questions to ask and the candidates' emailed responses are below.

In Ward D, incumbent Kathe Maneval is seeking a fifth term on the board, but she is being challenged by Amber Lipscomb, an educator, but a newcomer to the political arena. It's the only contested race for school board in Waynesboro.

WARD D

KATHE MANEVAL

More:Maneval believes experience is important as she seeks 5th term on Waynesboro School Board

What is your plan to increase teacher retention and help alleviate teacher burnout?

"Our teachers and staff are our most valuable assets and I am indebted to our teachers and staff for their commitment, dedication and hard work, especially during the pandemic. I am proud of the raises and stipends we have been able to provide the past two years, and am committed to working for improved compensation as we move forward.

"We have added teacher work days to the calendar to provide additional time for lesson planning and have added a number of resources to address student needs and lighten the load for teachers and staff. We have also begun providing additional compensation to teachers who serve as substitutes for other classes during their planning periods. All of these actions are designed to support teachers and help alleviate teacher burnout."

How much time have you spent in Waynesboro Public Schools volunteering, observing, meetingwith teachers, and/or substituting?"I have volunteered in various roles in Waynesboro Public Schools for 22 years. My volunteer work has included serving as treasurer for Westwood Hills PTO (10 years); treasurer of Kate Collins PTO; treasurer of the WHS band supporters; classroom helper; organizing fundraising events; and helping at Cross Country meets and musical events.

"As a school board member, I have visited schools and classrooms and assisted with division-wide events such as the Back to School Bash, Stuff the Bus and Walk to School Week. I have also had a lasting impact on our PTOs (Berkeley Glenn, Westwood, William Perry and Kate Collins) by helping them gain tax-exempt status with the IRS. (Please note: School Board members are not permitted to work as substitutes in the classrooms)."

What does diversity, equity and inclusion mean to you?"It all boils down to respect. We respect each other’s differences and we respond to each student’s individual needs so that all our students can be successful."

What would be your budget priorities if elected?Operating Budget: Human Resources is the biggest expense in our budget. I will continue to advocate for competitive salaries and benefits for all of our employees. Capital Improvement Budget: My priorities, after completing the currently funded capital projects, will be to focus on Phase 2 of the Waynesboro High School Renovation and significant improvements to the Shenandoah Valley Center for Advanced Learning, which includes the Valley Career and Technical Center and the Shenandoah Valley Governor’s School."

If the Governor’s model policies for the treatment of transgender students goes into effect, whatwould your response be to a teacher who refuses to implement them because they feel it would harmstudents?"Setting aside the model policies, because they are not law, I think we have lost sight of the fact that nondiscrimination is the law and our policy. Since speaking to a teacher directly about a classroom issue is outside of my school board roles and responsibilities, the division would handle this in compliance with current laws and school board policies."

How should the school division provide mental health resources to support students in crisis?"Students have ready access to our school counselors and school psychologists, and our teachers are trained to recognize the mental health needs of their students. Recently, WPS hired additional counselors and psychologists to help meet the mental health needs of our students. Beyond this, Waynesboro provides time and space for community counselors to meet with students during the school day. If a student’s mental health needs are beyond the scope of our staff’s training or certification, the student/family are referred to outside agencies in the community."

How should the history of the treatment of racial and ethnic communities in the United States betaught in schools?"The best approach is to ensure that what we teach is unbiased and factually accurate. And the way we teach it needs to be sensitive to the needs of our students."

How will Waynesboro Public Schools benefit from you serving as a school board member?"I am passionate about and invested in Waynesboro Public Schools; so much so, that I entrusted the K-12 education of my four children to WPS where they received a high quality education. When I was first elected to the school board in 2006, I brought my background in education and accounting which was valuable especially during budget season. Now, in addition, I bring 16 years of knowledge and experience as a school board member which is critical for our school board as we address the post-pandemic challenges faced by our students and our school division."

AMBER LIPSCOMB

More:Lipscomb wants open communication between Waynesboro schools, staff, parents

LIpscomb did respond to The News Leader, but said she has been very busy and didn't have time to answer the questions. Candidates were given a tight window in which to respond, with questions being sent Sunday, Oct. 30 and responses requested by end of the day Wednesday, Nov. 2.

More:Staunton, Augusta County, Waynesboro see steady influx of early voting

More:Election HQ: All the information you need to know before heading to the polls

Patrick Hite is The News Leader's education reporter. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and follow him on Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Waynesboro School Board: Ward D only contested race