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Phone
(509) 338-7839
Email
brandonkrugerforpullman@gmail.com
Town where you live
Pullman
Experience (300 characters max)
First-time candidate.
I’m a parent of two students in the Pullman School District; my daughter is entering 5th grade and my son is entering 2nd. I regularly volunteer for class field trips and field day. I deeply appreciate our Pullman educators and the opportunities they create for students. I’ve been an active volunteer at Pullman High as well, including: assistant softball coach, football announcer, and other game management roles. I have over 13 years of experience in public works, as both a heavy equipment operator and later as maintenance coordinator. In that role, I managed over 45 employees, conducted interviews, was involved with budgeting, fleet management, and handled equipment purchasing. I’ve also driven combine for a local farmer during harvest. Through my family's involvement in local schools, sports, and community life, I’ve built strong ties in Pullman. This rounded experience has prepared me to serve as a school board member and help strengthen our district.
The three most pressing issues facing the Pullman School District are as follows. First and foremost, there is a fracture between the current district leadership, the school board and the community of Pullman. This fracture is creating uncertainty and a lack of trust. Second, the financial health of the district and cost cutting measures being taken in light of it. Like all of us, the district is feeling the effects of rising costs and inflation. While this is a challenge, decisions need to be made with community interests in mind and a willingness to think outside the box to increase revenue streams. Third, overall staff morale and lack of trust in district leadership is very concerning. We need to make sure that staff feel appreciated, valued in their roles, and give them a feedback loop into the decisions that impact them most.
The fractured relationship between the community, the school board and district leadership needs to be repaired. I believe that the decisions being made by the current district leadership and school board in light of the current district finances are not reflective of the community at large and they do not communicate value to the district’s hard-working employees. If elected, I would work with other board members to ensure that we are truly listening to the community and the staff, setting policy and making decisions based on those voices and values. We cannot continue to ask for taxpayer support without valuing their feedback.
I believe the number one responsibility of a school board member is to listen to the students, staff, families and leadership of the district to have a constant pulse on what is actually happening in our schools. I would be open to meetings with my constituents and then reflect on board policy and procedures to ensure we are following through with enforcing safety procedures. I believe administrators should be in the buildings at all times that students are on campus to provide supervision and staff support. I believe consequences that are outlined in the Family & Student Handbook should be consistently applied. I believe in consistent and quick follow through when incidents happen to help change behaviors and rebuild the relationship between students and classroom staff. I believe the learning environment should be respected and teachers should be supported as the educational leader of the classroom. When that structure is in place, a safe learning environment is created for all.
I would first need to listen to understand from the students, teachers and parents to gain perspective from experiences outside of my own. The Pullman School District has a really great instructional staff and I believe that those working most directly with students are going to have the best understanding of the needs represented in their classrooms and what they can do to support their classroom as whole. If elected, I would work with the rest of the board and district leadership to prioritize needs and interests to best determine what the budget can support. I believe that it is the responsibility of the board to approve a healthy, sustainable budget that is able to support the school system as a whole and that specific needs or interests are best addressed at the classroom or building level.
Phone
(0) -
Email
amandamatou@gmail.com
Town where you live
Pullman
I am a passionate advocate for quality education & a dedicated leader within the Pullman School District. As a trustee & Vice President of the Pullman School Board, I bring a wealth of experience & a deep understanding of school district operations, helping to ensure financial sustainability while fostering academic growth for every student. My collaborative approach brings together parents, educators, administrators, & community members to implement innovative solutions that support the district's continued development. My commitment to creating a secure & supportive learning environment underscores my belief that every student deserves access to exceptional education. Recognizing that teachers/staff are the backbone of the district, I am steadfast in my efforts to ensure they receive the respect and recognition they deserve for their invaluable contributions to our children's futures. I will focus on protecting educational quality & strengthening community partnerships.
1- Inadequate funding from the state.
2- Student Food Insecurity
3- Continuing to build a culture of belonging
The Washington State Constitution declares that fully funding public education is the paramount duty of the state. Yet, in recent years, school districts across Washington—including Pullman—have faced declining state support.
Despite these challenges, Pullman Public Schools has worked diligently to maintain a balanced budget while minimizing the impact on students in the classroom. This has required difficult decisions and sacrifices across the district. We believe our students deserve better.
We urge our community to continue advocating for our schools and reminding legislators of their constitutional responsibility. Our students’ futures depend on it.
At Pullman Public Schools, safety is always a top priority. Over the past few years, we’ve made significant strides in securing our buildings during the school day—ensuring that all doors remain locked and visitors check in through the front office.
But safety goes beyond locked doors. We are equally committed to creating emotionally and physically safe environments for every student. Through our district-wide investment in social-emotional learning, students are gaining the tools to build healthy relationships, prevent bullying, and treat one another with dignity and kindness. Our goal is simple: every student should feel welcome, supported, and safe at school.
Balancing the needs and interests of diverse stakeholders in educational decision-making is a complex process that requires careful consideration & effective communication. Some strategies to help navigate the dynamic process include identifying stakeholders, engaging in open communication, and incorporating stakeholder input. Ultimately it is the responsibility of a school board director to make decisions that align the goals of the school district. We need to balance & align, meaning find a fair & reasonable way to accommodate & reconcile the different & sometimes conflicting needs/interests of stakeholders, while also aligning them with the goals and vision of our district. We need to consider the impact & implications of our decisions for the various stakeholders, as well as the ethical and legal principles that guide our decision-making. We also need to use evidence, data, & best practices to support & justify our decisions, and to address gaps or challenges that may arise.
