Candidates discuss future of Hartley

The fourth of five 2 p.m. “coffee break” debates took place at Waseca High School on Tuesday, October 18. This time, eight school board candidates shared their qualifications for taking one of four open spots on this year’s school board. The candidates are Alyssa Bowers, Scott Deml (incumbent), Robert Dickerson, Dave Dunn (incumbent), Andrew Isker, Theron Kruger, Jonathan Michels, and Charles Priebe (incumbent).

The eight candidates were each asked three questions. Senior Haylee Sommers was the moderator for this debate. Candidates began with two-minute statements summarizing their connections to the community and the school district.

Question 1: Hartley Elementary has served the school district well since 1956. It has become quite costly to maintain this aging K-3 facility. There are a variety of options for the school district on how to deal with this situation. What do you believe to be the best strategy?

The first question was the most divisive of the day among the school board candidates. Deml was the only candidate of the eight who suggested a brand new “freestanding” structure would fix the issue. “To remodel what is Hartley now does not reset the body of the building,” Deml claimed. “With a new building, I think we can give our students better areas to learn in.”

Dickerson believed that an addition to the Waseca Intermediate School (WIS) would solve the problems Hartley Elementary presents. “I think the cost to maintain Hartley is going to become untenable if it hasn’t already,” he expressed.

Dunn, a ten-year member of the district’s facilities committee, also saw a WIS addition as the best option. “I feel it would be the wisest choice. Having said that, we need to do something with Hartley.”

Priebe argued that adding on to WIS would increase efficiency by  consolidating all facilities in a single complex. “We gain the efficiency of transportation if we build an addition. We also gain efficiencies in food service.” He further argued that an addition would reduce government expansion, which he dubbed as the “only” thing still growing in town. “One of the ways we can condense that government growth is to move everything to one location. It seems the town is moving toward this direction.”

Isker “fundamentally disagreed” with current board members Deml and Dunn. “Waseca is a poor town,” he said. “We don’t have the money to afford these things.” He argued that the district has to “make do with what it has.”

“I’ve worked in schools where classrooms were trailers. We are so blessed with what we already have right now. If we’re disciplined with our money, we can afford $30 million for a new school. But we can’t do that right now.”

Kruger pointed out that the Waseca High School building lasted 50 to 60 years before needing major renovations. “I hear ‘low ceiling, low ceiling.’ My kids learn pretty well with a ‘low ceiling.’ Meeting ADA standards? Sure, you need to add on three or four kindergarten bathrooms to meet ADA. That’s a lot cheaper than a new school.”

Michels used his house as an analogy. “It was built in 1956, and it’s not dilapidated. Myself, the people who built it, and the people that were there before me have taken the time to invest in it and reinforce the things that are wrong with it to make it a better and more functional space. You can do that if you have bones, and the elementary school has those bones.”

Bowers agreed the school needed major work but added that a potential addition to WIS would cause considerable congestion and traffic issues. “Everyone knows you don’t want to drive near the school between 7:45 and 8:05 in the morning or 2:50 and 3:15 in the afternoon. The elementary school’s current location is a nice area for a school.”

Question 2: What do you believe is the best way for a school board member to deal with a call from a parent complaining about something that has happened in the schools? How much should these calls influence a board member’s decision?

This question saw the most agreement among the candidates: a school board member should steer parents toward a conversation with the appropriate person within the school.

“It’s a balancing act,” Dickerson said. “I don’t think it’s appropriate for the school board to deal with those issues until they’ve run their due course with the principals’ and superintendent’s offices. You need to pay attention to what’s going on. If there are signs of bigger issues such as policy and guidance, that’d fall on the purview of the board.”

Dunn agreed. “When you take training through the Minnesota State School Board Association in St. Peter, one of the first things they try to tell you is that you’re not to micromanage,” he claimed. “That’s one of the ways school board members can get into trouble.”

He added that it’s appropriate for board members to follow up with the parent to see if they received a solution to their problem. Everyone agreed with that.

“It’s the duty of the school board to represent the community against outsiders,” Isker added. “That’s a concern of mine is protecting our teachers, students, and their families.”

Michels shared that sentiment. “If someone brings something up, whether you agree with it or not, you need to be following up and asking questions. It's a basic responsibility. If we don’t have that integrity, then what are we the school board for?”

Priebe answered, “We as a board have one employee: the superintendent. It’s their job to run the school. If there are issues, it has to run through them. If that’s not happening, we have to have other conversations. We then have to ask what our constituents think we should be doing. A lot of times, they have a solution.”

Bowers said, “With any complaint, you need to be compassionate and sensitive. It’s something that they’ve thought about and which has bothered them for quite some time. If they don’t get the answers they want, then the school board is the next step.”

Deml suggested giving feedback whenever possible. “If you can give them feedback, you can give them information. Otherwise, you listen, take notes, and then take it to the right people to make sure problems have been responded to.”

Question 3: What role, if any, does a school board member play in being an ambassador for the school district within the community?

All eight candidates agreed that school board members play a significant role in the community. “Part of the reason why I wanted to be on the school board is because I think Waseca really does have a good school district. Are we perfect? No. But I think we’re pretty good most of the time. We need to take every opportunity we can to promote our district.”

Isker circled back to his previous statement that board members should protect the district.  “When I work in the Twin Cities, co-workers will always talk about how well-represented our town is when we make it to state tournaments. The role of the school board is to protect what makes Waseca unique and to protect the community from outside people who threaten it.”

Kruger’s response was, “Number one, you speak for the students. You’re looking for the best well-being for them. You’re looking after your facilities so that they’re up to par. You’re relied on by the community. You’re a voice for them.”

Priebe believes that board members should take their community involvement one step further by visiting the students and teachers at the school on a regular basis. “That way, when you’re out in public, you know what’s actually going on in the school,” he said.

“We absolutely are an ambassador of our community,” Bowers claimed. “It’s important for us to stay positive and transparent, ask questions, and to be available for our community members.”

Deml believes the best way to be ambassadors to the community is to talk regularly with constituents and check in on the students and staff. “Talking to the principals at least one or two times a year is beneficial,” he added.

“We want all our kids to succeed when they leave school,” Dickerson answered. “We want to provide the best education and their best chance for success. You’re elected by the taxpayers, but the students and teachers have an input.”

Closing Statements

All the candidates thanked social studies teacher John Hanson and the seniors for organizing the debate. They extended a special thanks to senior Haylee Sommers for moderating. The candidates reminded everyone to vote on Thursday, November 8.

Anyone that missed the school board debate can watch it on the Waseca Public Schools YouTube page. Visit https://www.waseca.k12.mn.us/domain/543 for a link to the video. Other videos from the coffee break debates between city council, mayor, sheriff, and county attorney candidates will also be available via the link.