Decision 2024

Would you support any changes for leadership positions within the School District why or why not?
Word limit 250 words
Britton Avant
This is a challenging question, as I feel I need more information to provide a fully informed response. However, based on what I know, there have been significant mistakes at the leadership level that have not been met with appropriate accountability. In many traditional workplaces, such issues could lead to serious consequences, including termination.
Strong leadership is essential for the success of our schools and for maintaining community trust, and I am concerned about our current trajectory given the apparent lack of confidence from the community. If elected, I hope to uncover information that the public may not currently have, which could help clarify our situation. If it turns out that there are no valid explanations, I will strongly advocate for changes necessary to restore trust and ensure effective leadership in our district.
Alisha Eiken
Yes. School Board Members have a legal duty to govern a school district, and they are responsible for hiring, evaluating, and overseeing the superintendent. At times, school boards will find it necessary to make leadership changes within a district.
Byron’s School Board is guided by five standards. These standards mirror the Minnesota School Board Association’s Standards for School Board Leadership.
Standard 3 is “Structure”. This standard states, “the school board, to achieve its vision, establishes organizational and physical structures for student and staff success.”
School Board duties included in this standard are:
“Select and employ one person — the superintendent — as the school district’s chief executive officer to lead and manage the school district.”
“Hold the superintendent accountable for school district performance and compliance with written school board policy.”
“Accept ultimate responsibility for the care, management, fiscal oversight, and control of the school district while understanding that the day-to-day operations will be conducted by the staff.”
Standard 4 is “Accountability”. This standard states, “the school board is accountable to the community for constantly monitoring the conditions affecting the school district as a whole.”
In sum, Byron School Board Members have a legal obligation to oversee organizational structures within our district. The School Board is responsible for employing the superintendent, evaluating the superintendent’s performance, and holding the superintendent accountable for their performance. If the superintendent isn’t performing vital functions of their job, I would support a change in leadership.
Nadia Poluhina
I would support a course of action that best serves the needs of our school district.
The primary responsibilities of school district leadership are to promote student success, ensure strong academic performance, and provide sound financial oversight and management. To effectively fulfill these responsibilities, leaders must receive adequate training and ongoing support. If such resources are insufficient, it is essential that leadership is able to raise the hand and request the necessary support to meet district goals.
At the same time, accountability is crucial. Leadership must be held responsible for their decisions and performance to maintain trust and transparency within the district. This balance of support and accountability ensures that our leaders are equipped to make informed decisions while remaining answerable to the community. Ultimately, strong leadership—both supported and held accountable—creates the foundation for a thriving school district that prioritizes the well-being and academic success of every student.
Kelli Crary
I support changes in leadership if it is in the best interest of Byron Public Schools. I do not believe that the crisis and challenges that Byron Schools is currently in is a result of just one individual and therefore, I do not believe changing leadership within the District would resolve the issues at hand. I believe measures must be placed to ensure there is no oversight in the future and to build trust between the community and leadership.
James-Duke D. Dieterle
Did not answer.
Lisa Jessen
I would support changes to our School District leadership if that is what is needed for our district to move forward. With our current financial position, we cannot disregard who is responsible for it and how we got to this point. Accountability is key to being able to move forward as a district. It is the job of the School Board to hold accountable our leadership, even if that means making changes at the highest level.
 
State Rep
It’s no secret that many Minnesota newspapers are struggling to remain financially viable in their efforts to provide residents with community journalism. Earlier this year, eight newspapers closed suddenly in Minnesota. The Minnesota Newspaper Association, which represents most newspapers throughout the state, will likely be approaching the state legislature in January to ask for legislative support to help struggling newspapers. What is your position on providing government subsidies to help ailing newspapers? In what ways can the government best support newspapers?
Limit of 250 words
Heather Holmes
I absolutely am in favor of our legislature supporting struggling newspapers. Whether it would be through financial means or working on policies that could help make maintaining a newspaper easier, I believe it would be worthwhile. Having a well-informed populace benefits all of us. Local newspapers play an especially important role in this. On top of informing citizens about important events happening locally, many people hold their local newspapers in high regard. They often trust the reporting from these local news sources more so than larger national news outlets. In this age of disinformation, it is especially important that everyone has access to a reliable news source they can trust.
Duane Quam
I would be in favor of decreasing costs, burdens, and a possible tax credit for public service and other functions they give the community.
 
Next week’s question:
What is the most important thing you want voters to know about yourself as they head to the polls next week? What can you provide that other candidates cannot?
250 words limit.