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Philomath School District Director Position 1

There are 197 public school districts in Oregon, each governed by a board of education. School boards set goals, establish policies, oversee the performance of district schools, and negotiate contracts. The state Board of Education sets broader educational policies and standards that local schools are required to follow.Qualifications: Candidate must be a registered voter and a resident of the district for at least 1 year. Employees of the district are not eligible unless employed as a substitute driver. ORS 332.016 and 332.018(2)Term: 4 years

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  • Candidate picture

    Tom Klipfel
    (N)

  • Candidate picture

    Kerin Konkler
    (N)

Biographical Information

What skills and experience do you bring to school board service?

What is your understanding of the District’s obligations to comply with federal and state education policies?

How would you address the issues facing the District’s schools that you consider the most urgent?

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Town Where You Live Philomath
Your Experience/Qualifications No prior governmental experience, but many years working on a wide variety of committees for work. Committees I have served on include those both hospital and outpatient based with focuses on crucial items such as budget, policy, safety, and quality. I have held many leadership positions at every job I have had.
County Benton
I have held many leadership positions within healthcare organizations I have worked for, including managerial roles. I have also served on many committees that have worked on operations, budget, quality, and safety. I am a nurse practitioner and have worked in the community for over 10 years, and my experience in that role as well as currently working in pediatrics will be an asset as I can speak to childhood development.
As a public school, we are obligated to comply with federal and state education policies. In the current political climate, however, it is important to recognize what is a suggestion versus a law. There will be many rapid changes and the biggest challenge will be recognizing what must be changed and how to do that in the least disruptive way possible.
The sweeping changes to the federal Dept of Education is one of the largest issues facing our school district. Interpreting those new changes and enacting policies that are meaningful and best serve our unique student body will take clear communication and excellent critical thinking skills. This will mean not only working together as a district, but working collaboratively with other districts in the state. We also have a large geographical area that our students come from, and many are very rural—making transportation a challenge. Ensuring students have wholesome nutrition and good sleep every day will help them perform their best.