Averill, Driver face off for school board seat

Two seats came up for election on the Bigfork School District 38 board this year, but only one challenger stepped up for the May 5 ballot.

Rodney Driver is running against incumbent candidate Maureen Averill for a Bigfork elementary and high school trustee position on the school board.

BHS Trustee Denny Sabo was unchallenged for the Swan River School district position and retains his seat on the board.

The position has a vote in matters pertaining to both the primary and secondary schools, as the two school districts overlap.

Driver and Averill agreed to answer a set of questions provided by the Bigfork Parent Teacher Association. The questions and their answers, which in some cases have been edited slightly for space, are reprinted below.

What benefits will you bring to the school board and what credentials do you have to make a positive impact on the school board for the parents and students?

Averill: As a long time Bigfork resident I have a commitment to our community and to the future generations that attend our school district. I believe a good education is vital to compete in our world today. In my term on the Board of Trustees, I have sought to gain an understanding of curriculum development, school finances, policies, school law, teacher's classroom needs, extra curricular needs and the many other areas of needs involved in our district. Relationships with the community, including parents and students, and the staff at our schools must be respected and continually improved. All of our students' educational needs must be the center of the board's concerns. The decisions that are made by members of the board balance a multitude of areas, yet always keep the students' quality of education a priority.

Driver: A desire to interact in a positive and efficient manner for the betterment of our school district. To the students, teachers, board members and community, I offer the following experience: Approved school chaperon for field trips, Union Steward for the International Union of Elevator Constructors, past and current appointments by Governor Schweitzer to state building codes council, former Cub Scout and current Boy Scout Leader for Troop #1923 Bigfork.

Will you have any children in the school at the times you are on the board?

Averill: All three of my children have gone to Bigfork schools K-12. One has graduated from Pacific Lutheran University, one will graduate from the University of Montana in May, and the youngest will graduate from Bigfork High School this May. I do not believe having or not having children attending Bigfork schools during a board term influences my desire for our community's children receiving a quality education.

Driver: My children are the motivator for most everything we are involved in, helping guide this aspect of their lives is yet another way to offer positive direction. All of our children are worthy of this time and commitment to their future. We have two sons, one in high school and one in the elementary at Bigfork schools.

Do you believe the community, parents, teachers and students should have any input in decisions being made by the board and if so will you encourage their voice at board meetings?

Averill: Yes, input is encouraged and is always welcomed. The district posts notices of board meetings at least 48 hours before the meeting, with the board agenda items being available online or in the district office. The posted board agenda items are the only discussions or actions the board can take during that meeting. Comments from the audience on non-agenda items are requested at the beginning of the meeting and comments are sought before each agenda item during the meetings. Non-agenda comments can be heard, but not discussed or action taken. Anyone wishing to have an item on the agenda can request to be put on the agenda by simply filling out a form in the district office.

Driver: Input from all concerned should be viewed as an important tool in helping us understand each other's ideas, thoughts and varied perspectives on given issues.

Why do you think the high school bond did not pass and do you think it would have or will pass in the future if presented again differently?

Averill: I think it has been a combination of things; the economy, the community not wishing for additional property taxes, declining enrollment, and maybe a bit of misunderstanding of the needs of the high school. There is currently a survey being conducted by the Young Leadership group's senior students to gain a better knowledge of why the bond failed. This survey's findings will be given to the board to study. Our high school students are still attending classes in an old portable building. Our science classes still use an antiquated lab. Our students still eat lunch on the hallway floor. I hope a bond, with changes to update the high school, will pass in the future.

Driver: Apparently the majority of voters found flaws with the high school bond and/or elements of it. We need to revisit this bond, determine what changes to make and present it again. We desperately need a new high school!

Do you believe school funding needs to be stabilized? What does fiscal responsibility mean to you?

Averill: School funding should be very stable and not on the Legislature's chopping block. This is the education of our future. The constant unknown of both state and federal funding of school budgets each year makes long and short term planning a challenge. Fiscal responsibility is taking care of the funds that have been entrusted to the board by the community through taxes, the state, and the federal government. It is using those allotted funds in ways that benefit the entire student body to the greatest degree, providing the best possible educational opportunities to all students.

Driver: Fiscal responsibility is a matter to be taken seriously by everyone, at many levels of involvement. You can't run a school district without spending money. Spending conservatively, while maintaining and building integrity, coupled with student and staff safety are achievable goals we can accomplish together.

Do you have any specific changes you want to make in school district policies, programs, or various school curricula being offered?

Averill: I have been involved in the continuing review of the district policies, programs and curriculum. This is an ongoing process that does not, and never should, end. The board, with input from the staff, the administration, parents, and the rest of the community is constantly reviewing what we have, what we do, where we want to be, and what is best for our students. I believe we live in a changing world and we all need to be open to change that benefits our children.

Driver: Striving to offer the most contemporary programs we can will hopefully keep student attendance and interest in place. Past policies and procedures have become the center piece of a unique evolutionary process; a good number of these are currently being updated, with complete specifics unavailable.

What is your opinion of the current school district policies toward students with special needs (behavioral problems, breakfast programs, students who face the problems of poverty or family issues, etc.)?

Averill: The district encourages families to fill out the free and reduced meal program form and to seek conferences with the districts counselors for problems that will influence or affect their child's education opportunities. The board supports and encourages the staff working with special needs students in facilitating a quality education for all students. I believe all of our students deserve an education that supports their goals for their future.

Driver: Students with individual needs have to be recognized and addressed in the most positive way we can, in order to create the best learning environment for them. Some of these issues I could speak of from personal experience, others I would need time to research prior to comment. The bottom line, we need to service all students the very best we can!