Highlands School Board: Region 2 — Large primary field sees 3 newcomers vying for 1 seat

Editor’s note:

The first installment of this story, featuring the Region 1 candidates, appeared in Thursday’s edition. Region 3 will appear in Saturday’s edition. All three installments can be viewed online at TribLIVE.com.

The Highlands School District drew a large field of interest in the upcoming primary election with 11 people vying for five open seats across three regions.

In Region 2, there are three new faces competing for one open seat. Incumbent Kelli Canonge is not seeking reelection.

Candidates are Republican Shane Chesher, along with Autumn Monaghan and Alan Winter, both of whom are cross-filed.

Region 2 includes Brackenridge and parts of Harrison.

The Valley News Dispatch asked each candidate the same questions to give readers a chance to compare their positions. Here are the answers from the Region 2 candidates:

Why did you decide to run for election?

Chesher: “I decided to run for school board because I understand that people in the community, including myself, are very unpleased with the school district, and I know I can be a voice of representation for the parents and students,” he said. “I can help bring positive change that is desperately needed.”

Monaghan: “I decided to run for school board to accurately represent the diverse group of children, families and taxpayers living in Region 2,” she said.

“I want to see our school district set and work toward achievable, measurable and time-sensitive goals. We need to make certain we are providing a quality public education to our community.”

Monaghan said tax dollars need to be used to equip parents, teachers, children and administrators to make Highlands one of the top-ranked schools in the state.

“We are a community who cares deeply for each other and, regardless of politics, power or pettiness, we show up for each other and come together when it counts,” she said.

Winter: “I have witnessed over the years a disconnect between our school board, the administration, the teachers/staff and the children,” he said. “We are here for the students. We need to focus on the students’ needs in education.”

Winter worked for Highlands for six years as a paraprofessional and briefly as a substitute teacher.

“Seeing the inner-workings of our district will give me a unique point of view,” he said.

Related

• Highlands School Board: Region 1 — Large field for primary has 4 candidates seeking 2 positions
• Highlands School Board: Region 3 — Field sees 4 vying for 2 seats

What are the biggest priorities facing the district?

Chesher: “Fixing an inadequate failed educational system, creating an environment of parent and community involvement and making necessary administration changes that have the best interest of the community,” he said. “Also, addressing and securing the safety of our students and staff and helping to provide transparency and accountability for the district.”

Monaghan: Safety issues, including bullying, discipline and smoking, are Monaghan’s top priorities.

She also said she would address funding, mental health, poverty, staff recruitment/retention and outdated policies.

“Anything that impacts the relationship between the community and school district,” she said.

Winter: “Accountability to our community is the main priority,” he said. “The administration needs to be more accountable to the behavioral issues in the schools, addressing them with proactive policies rather than reactive.”

Winter said the district needs to focus on curriculum, where he said there are many deficiencies.

“We need to focus not only on the traditional reading, writing and arithmetic, but include the arts, trades and life skills,” he said. “Our kids are graduating without the ability to understand daily living as an adult. We can begin by building on our strengths with our fabulous music department and science department.”

What qualities do you feel you bring to the position?

Chesher: “I feel that I will bring a different perspective that’s not being highlighted at the district,” he said. “I will work hard for positive change, with a voice that is unafraid of persecution and judgment.”

Chesher said he is willing to stand alone as long as what he is standing for is right and just.

Monaghan: “To do this work, you have to be willing to put any personal feelings/agenda aside and amplify the voice of the people you are representing,” she said. “I intend to be a voice for the people of Region 2.”

Winter: “The qualities I possess come from 27 years in the corporate world, where I learned budgeting, negotiating and business skills,” he said. “Over the last 13 years, I have been in an educational environment living as an employee and student. I have experience with students, teachers and administration, and the parents, seeing their needs.

“I am looking forward to using these qualities to work together in the district to accomplish fulfilling needs to the best of our ability.”