Five candidates seek spots on Medford School Board
Five candidates are seeking three seats on the Medford School Board. All candidates were sent a questionnaire asking them why they were running and questions about the future of the district.
Here are their responses in random order:
Jodi Nuernberger
I am a mother of two and my husband and I are graduates of the Medford Area School District. I have a Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis, focusing on learning and developmental differences. Throughout my career I have collaborated with educators and families across several districts by assisting in classrooms, planning for individual needs, and establishing positive behavior systems. My current leadership role is to uphold our quality of care while meeting the needs of stakeholders through goal setting, strategic planning, and effective resource allocation.
Why do you want to serve on school board?
I believe in the mission that all children learn. I have dedicated my career to supporting the needs of children who learn differently. Every child should have the opportunity to build upon their strengths and feel prepared for their future. Decisions regarding education should be made with consideration of the whole child, including social and emotional well-being. Issues deserve consideration from all perspectives. Ultimately, I am passionate about education, this community, and have experiences to serve effectively in this capacity.
What do you think the biggest challenge facing the Medford Area Public School District over the course of the next 5 years will be? As a school board member how would you address them?
The results of referendum will certainly impact planning over the next 5 years. Resources are critical for establishing opportunities and quality education for our students. To allocate resources in a way that supports our students, and is supported by the community, we will need active community engagement. The level of engagement needed will involve mutual trust and collaboration and should be a focus over the next 5 years. Additionally, I encourage readers to research the candidates for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, on the ballot for April 6th. This position will influence our public education.
As a school board member, I would evaluate issues and ask questions to ensure all perspectives are being considered. It is important that the board of education sets the vision and goals for the district, represents the community, and is accountable to the public for success. Effortful communication and active listening would be key in addressing issues.
Do you support the $39.9 million referendum to renovate and expand the high school and why do you feel this way?
Updating and expanding classrooms to support STEAM education resonates with me. Instead of just giving someone the answer, teaching them to solve a problem and work with a team will better prepare them for the future. Learning is impacted by environment and our facilities need to be designed to support this educational approach. It is also critical that the facility is designed to support students of all abilities and needs. I believe in transparency and acknowledge that I support the referendum. That said, as a board member it would be my responsibility to represent community needs. I acknowledge that the referendum did not pass back in November. I am ready to support the community’s decision and next steps, whether that is pivoting the plan or moving it forward.
What can the school district do within budgetary limitations to attract and retain quality educators and staff?
Opportunities for professional growth and systems that support that growth can attract educators and staff. It shows an investment in people. Mentorship and introduction into the community can help establish a positive culture in which all team members understand how their role supports our student’s education. When individual contributions are understood and recognized, team members are more engaged and likely to stick around.
How do you feel the school district can be more responsive to the needs of the community in regard to setting the school calendar?
It is important with any decision that voices are heard. If making a change to the calendar, the district needs to consider the scope and impact of that change. How does that change impact students, parents, educators, and community members? The district can respond to the needs of the community by taking measures to hear from the community. Focus groups that include representatives of different stakeholder groups, surveys, and open forums are some good methods for gathering information. Only by listening can the district come to understand the needs of the community.
Dave Fleegel
David Fleegel 45, husband to Anne, father to Alexis, Hannah, Naomi and Jacob. Completing my fifth term on the Medford School Board. Co-Owner/operator of The Broadway theatre since 2011. Part-time employee WKEB/WIGM Radio, Born in Medford, Medford Graduate 1993.
Why do you want to serve on school board?
It began because the current board president, made comment that nobody my age was doing anything in our local governmental bodies. I was glad to have a strong district with good opportunities – even if I didn’t always take full advantage of them. We have four children in the district so I am interested in their opportunities for the future.
What do you think the biggest challenge facing the Medford Area Public School District over the course of the next 5 years will be? As a school board member how would you address them?
Facilities, to continue to adapt our facilities for the future. If the referendum is not successful, we will go back to the people and try to find out what is the most popular, yet still keeping in mind where we see education needs evolving.
Do you support the $39.9 million referendum to renovate and expand the high school and why do you feel this way?
I do support the advancements and remodel. We have spent a lot of community time researching, talking and touring. We took the initial hopes and compromised it from 55 million down to the $39.9 million. We really feel this change in the facility will give students tools for the next 30 years or more.
What can the school district do within budgetary limitations to attract and retain quality educators and staff? We work a lot on listening to our employees. Trying to match their requests to the budget, and future budgets. Sometimes salary, sometimes, benefits, sometimes just celebrating them and what they do for our students everyday.
How do you feel the school district can be more responsive to the needs of the community in regard to setting the school calendar?
We will never please everyone in the community with the perfect calendar. We are always open to listen for requests, consider different options. We try to make a point of not doing things just because that is the way they have always been done. Although at times parts of the community demand that. If you don’t care for the calendar I invite you to call or email your ideas.
Barbara Knight
My husband and I have lived in Medford for 34 years and have three children, who all attended school in Medford Area Public School District. Over the years, I’ve been active in community service groups, a service musician at my church and accompanist for the high school choirs. I was first appointed to the Medford school board in 2013, was reelected twice, and was appointed in 2020 to fill a seat vacated by a resignation.
Why do you want to serve on school board?
I believe in the promise of public education: To ensure that every child has equal access to a quality education. I want all children to benefit from what I benefited from.
I am responsible for what I leave for the next generation including what I give back to public education. This was how I was raised and it applies to why I support and serve public education. These words from Rev. Peter Raible say it best: “We warm ourselves by fires we did not light, sit in the shade of trees we did not plant and drink from wells we did not dig.” We as citizens all contribute something towards public services so that we can
102174
2021 Spring Election:
all benefit. My grandparents and parents supported public education, and I have benefited from having a good public education.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the district over the course of the next five years? As a school board member how would you address them?
Funding is the biggest challenge. We must be able to attract, hire and keep the best teachers, fund the materials and technology for the programs, and keep our facilities up-to-date. Based on the way our schools currently are funded, rural districts like ours fall short particularly when it comes to facilities because the investment needed mainly falls on us. As a board member, I make sure I’m informed about how school funding actually works (or doesn’t work) and that I’m voting for state legislative candidates who are going to work for us.
Do you support the $39.9 million referendum to renovate and expand the high school and why do you feel this way?
Yes – I do support this. Here’s why:
• We’re trying to provide a modern curriculum that prepares our students so they can make it in their chosen direction post-graduation. That includes having the programming materials and technology, best teachers and the right facility spaces to deliver our curriculum, which is a STEAM-based curriculum (science-technology- engineering-art-math). Today’s curriculum is not a 1970’s curriculum because that will not meet the needs of today’s employers and entrepreneurs.
• We’ve done the due diligence to make a good decision including getting input from district residents and professional expertise. The proposed plan takes an old building and makes it more useable with remodeling and repurposing. For example, spaces that no longer work as they are currently designed (like the current Red/White Theater) would be remodeled into useful space for the library expansion. Since we still need a usable theater – the replacement theater would be moved to the west end of the building.
• This community needs to remain economically viable. Every week I open the Shopper and Star News and see several pages of ads for jobs. Soon two new grocery/gas centers are going to open and need workers. The pay for all these positions is average, but it’s not high enough for people to afford to commute to Medford to work. We’re short workers. The workers have to come from somewhere, but without affordable, livable housing here, and a high school facility that no longer matches a modern curriculum, why would they? Many communities around the region have upgraded their high schools and brought them into the 21st century. Medford isn’t a draw despite the employment openings. Young workers and working families are looking for housing and quality school facilities and can find what they need in communities that are making the investment to attract workers. The tax base of our community depends on attracting and keeping families. Up-to-date public school facilities are key in the future economic viability of our rural community and area.
• Businesses in the area support this referendum. Big and small businesses recognize that the timing is right to do this, not just because we have a labor shortage but because the cost to borrow the money is at an all time low. Post COVID, the economy is likely to change and the cost to do what is being proposed would be increasingly more expensive and the needs will not go away. The cost only increases the longer we delay.
• When you invest in people of any age, they will up their game. Modernizing our school facilities is an investment in our youth and working families, all of which instills pride, and inspires and motivates for success. What better way is there to support our youth than to invest in their future success? All our futures depend on the success of our youth.
What can the school district do within budgetary limitations to attract and retain quality educators and staff?
We must remain competitive in terms of salary and benefits, which is tough to do given the state funding limitations. Act 10 created a competitive environment for hiring teachers, a situation that actually hurts rural schools like ours. New teachers are looking for not only competitive pay and benefits, they want to teach for a district that supports the curriculum with best practice teaching materials, technology and up-to-date facilities. With fewer young people choosing the teaching profession, the pool of applicants has shrunk and they’re going elsewhere – where they find up-to-date facilities, community support and housing.
How do you feel the school district can be more responsive to the needs of the community in regard to setting the school calendar?
By state law, the school board can’t start school before Sept. 1 and must complete a certain number of teaching minutes throughout the year. Local school boards do not have much flexibility. We can exercise local control in setting our holiday and other breaks, but that is about it. To have school start date flexibility will require voters to elect state legislators who will pass new legislation that allows for local control.
Dave Fleegel
Barbara Knight
Don Everhard
Aemus Balsis
