Troy school board hopefuls discuss issues
As voters go to the polls on May 7 to elect members to the Troy School board, three candidates vie to fill two positions. Here are their responses.
Mark Roesler-
Begalke, 53
Candidate
• Occupation: A paraprofessional in the autism program for Libby School District.
• Children in the district: Two; 11 and 9.
•What unique talents do you have that will aid you in serving the district?
I think I have the ability to listen to what is being said, what is being talked about, what is being brought up.
• Have you ever served on a publicly elected board previously? No.
• What do you believe the school district does proficiently?
Doing a good job of educating our children. I have no qualms about the education my children have received. They are doing a proficient job in educating with the resources they have available.
• In what area in serving the public is it least proficient?
Sometimes the communication with the public, in general. Looking into important decisions, anything like that. Maybe a board, a district has to try to involve the public even more. The more public input the better.
• In the last several years, there has been significant turnover at the administration level. What can you do to ensure some stability?
I think the district has already done that. One-year contract to Diane Rewerts, that’s going to be very helpful. They’ve done a good job. The amount of change has come to an end.
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Doug Chapel, 40
Incumbent
• Occupation: Manager at Chapel Cedar.
• Children in the district: Two; 14 and 11.
• Why run for school board? I’m seeing a lot of progress being made, and I’d like to carry on with that.
• Have you ever served on a publicly elected board previously?
Yes, this one.
• State the top priorities you see in serving on the school board?
The top priorities right now are curriculum alignment, budget and finance.
• What do you believe the school district does proficiently?
The service they provide to the students is very proficient.
• In what area in serving the public is it least proficient?
The board as a whole might be able to beef up communication and interaction with the public.
• With Troy being forced to make large cuts, what is the future of the school district?
My opinion is we continue to see declined enrollment without some form of business and industry coming to town.
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Hy Boltz, 35
Candidate
• Occupation: Father.
• Children in the district: one daughter, 5.
• Why run for school board?
Basically, because my daughter is in the system now. That’s the system that is going to be educating her.
• What unique talents do you have that will aid you in serving the district?
I value myself as being a good communicator, especially listening.
• Have you ever served on a publicly elected board previously? No.
• State the top priorities you see in serving on the school board?
The first priority is just ensuring the best education for our children that I can.
• What do you believe the school district does proficiently?
It has a real strong teacher retention, that stability is very helpful.
• With Troy being forced to make large cuts, what is the future of the school district?
That’s definitely one of the biggest issues, the shrinking enrollment and the funding that goes with that.
• In the last several years, there has been significant turnover at the administration level. What can you do to ensure some stability?
I’m looking to kind of develop the answer to that.
(The answers shown were not the complete interview with each candidate.)