Fisher, Wetrich weigh in on school issues
By MATTHEW REZAB
m.rezab@beeherald.com
Matt Wetrich, of Jefferson, and Steve Fisher, of Grand Junction, have placed their names forward for the open seat on the Greene County School Board.
A special election will be held March 14 from noon until 8 p.m.
Voters residing in Jefferson can vote at the Greene County courthouse. Those in Scranton can vote at City Hall, and anyone living in the former East Greene district can vote at the St. Brigid Parish Center.
Fisher and Wetrich are vying for the seat left open after former board member Ashley Johnston resigned in January.
Fisher and Wetrich will be at the Greene County Elementary School cafeteria at 7 p.m. March 9 for a public forum.
The winner will fill the rest of Johnston’s term and would be up for re-election in September 2019.
The Jefferson Herald asked the candidates to respond to the same five questions ahead of the public forum.
Q: What do you see as the most important issue(s) facing the district right now? What can be done to remedy the situation?
Fisher: When I talk to people in our community about our schools, one of the first topics that comes up is that of trust in our leaders. I sense that there has long been a disconnect in communication and accountability between parents, teachers and students in regards to our board and the administration.
I would like to help change this dynamic.
Our school seems to function in a very top down management style. That method needs to be somewhat reversed so that the people of the community and the teachers have much more input in the way that our school is run.
I believe good leaders will foster a more responsive, accountable and inclusive style of management. Community involvement is a must to make this happen.
Wetrich: I think the district is greatly lacking in confidence from Greene County communities. Parents and teachers both seem to be thirsty for some unity and faith in the school district. I would like to see new efforts to get parents involved in creative ways. This includes making sure parents feel heard when they voice concerns and have questions.
I would also like to see teachers encouraged and supported to be innovative and push our children to be better learners, not just test takers. Teachers are our community’s greatest resource, and I’d like to do all we can to make them feel that.
Q: Do you feel the current administration has been transparent and fair with students, parents and the public?
Wetrich: Something that complicates this question is that there is always more to every situation than most of us know. How much is necessary to know?
Often times there is usually more information available for us to know if we are willing to take the time to learn the facts and actualities of a situation, rather than run with hearsay, half-truths and rumors.
I will acknowledge that administration has room to grow in the public perception department.
Perception isn’t always fair, but it is something that needs to be managed when you are a governing entity. Being as transparent, honest and reliably forthcoming are all important ingredients in growing faith in a governing entity.
Fisher: Same answer as first question.
Q: Do you support the bond issue as it was written last September? Why? If not, what changes should be made?
Fisher: The bond issue has failed to be passed twice. In my discussions with people in the community and with teachers, it again boils down to an issue of trusting the people who are in charge trying to get the proposal passed.
At a recent board Q&A session I suggested that we form a new committee to review the facilities proposal and to try to decide what we really need rather than just what we want.
I encouraged the board to include not only advocates for the bond, but also people who opposed the vote to be on this committee. I think these discussions need to include the problems of declining enrollment and the future role of technology use in education.
I believe if we can come to consensus on these issues then we can present a bond proposal that will fulfill the needs of our district moving forward.
Wetrich: I was on the Pay It Forward Committee last year. That experience gave me the opportunity to hear many folks’ opinions and takes on the bond.
I think it’s very important in a school district as small as ours, that everyone feels that their voice is heard and that it matters. That doesn’t mean that everyone is always going to be happy with choices that are made, but hopefully if they at least feel that their concerns are heard, they will be more accepting of decisions made, one way or another.
We all want to feel like we matter, that we are a part of something bigger, and that we are valued just as much as everyone else.
That being said, after thoroughly looking and studying the plans, the finances and listening to many opinions on the bond, I am in favor of it. I think that it can be built as it was proposed last September, but perhaps outside funding can be obtained to help cover the expense of the most controversial part — the gym.
Q: What would be your top priorities as a board member?
Wetrich: To get parents and the community more involved in the education system.
I am a big fan of collaboration and cooperation. Some of the new and innovative techniques some schools are using are to use more community and project-based learning (developing what are known as 21st Century Skills, i.e. critical thinking skills, adaptability, creativeness, social skills, etc.).
What better way to gel a community than by fostering more engagement? What better way to instill how top notch your community is with your kids than by immersing them in it? In turn, kids are going to want to return here after receiving technical or higher education when looking to settle down.
I am also a believer in learning from others. I would like to spend time learning what other districts did that have gone through some of the things we have been going through to be successful in the long run. There’s no reason to re-invent the wheel, when plenty of great learning opportunities await right here in our state.
Fisher: My top priorities on the board would be to help facilitate a more healthy communication and leadership structure in our school so that we can respond to and include more involvement from the students, the staff and the community.
This is vital so that we can stop losing students who open enroll out of our district.
If we are to survive and thrive, our county needs to become a student and family magnet. I believe success in our school is vital to the future success and growth of our community.
Q: Why do you want to be on the school board?
Fisher: I appreciate the support and confidence of the many people who have asked me to run for the board.
I think I possess the temperament, the experience, and most importantly the will to help accomplish these goals, but ultimately the solutions are going to be up to the action of our community.
I think our county community has a lot to offer. We have great people, great teachers and great kids.
I’m very optimistic and I see good things ahead for Greene County Schools.
Wetrich: I think what the people in our school district need right now is hope.
I want to bring a fresh, positive attitude to the board. I am a creative thinker, respectful listener and very open-minded. I have lived in Jefferson for 10 years, but have deep roots in Grand Junction. My grandparents grew up there, and my great-grandfather was the custodian at the Grand Junction school for many years. My other great-grandfather was the Greene County doctor.
I care greatly about the success not only of children and families of Jefferson, but of Grand Junction and all of Greene County, just like my family did.
I believe I would be a bright spot on the school board, one that can fuel a positive effort by our school district as we move forward, together in Greene County.
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