Riedesel for Beatrice School Board

25/02/2024

Beatrice School Board Opening

A year ago in January 2023, I joined the Beatrice School Board. It was a very good year during which I learned a lot about governance, budgeting, and policy making. We have a very good board, and relations with the administration are excellent. I have gotten involved in the activities of the board and supported the administration with research and advice, and even reached out to testify before the Unicameral’s Education Committee on pending legislation. It has been a pleasure to serve, and I greatly look forward to the next few years of my term.

My campaign objectives were to provide “Real support for a real education, Real solutions for real challenges, Real openness to real opportunities”. My overarching goal has been to serve all the students. When questions arise, my practice is to examine the issues and options carefully and to not just accept claims at face value or to trust initial feelings. I take the time outside of meetings to really dig into the questions, meet with the relevant people, be responsive to the public, do the hard research, then organize and share the results.

Here are three examples: 1 - When the question of continuing the random drug testing program arose, I did the research which revealed that the practice yields at most temporary decreases in substance abuse and only for the few subject to it. Not stopping there, I went on to find evidence-based educational programs having demonstrated effectiveness for all students. 2 - Chronic absenteeism is a widespread problem made worse in the pandemic. While the situation in Beatrice has improved, I followed up on the report by researching the causes and effective solutions so that all children can benefit from an education. 3 - Cell phone policies vary widely and with persistent questions of reasonableness, impacts, and enforcement. We do not have a solution yet, but I have done the research so that we can have more informed discussions. More examples of my research interests involve school-to-work; mental health; critical thinking; science of reading; resistance to conspiracy theories; impacts of dysfunctional family life, hunger and poverty; special ed and gifted; and second language learners.

We have a 7-member board, all elected at-large. 3 seats are up this year, but as I write this, there are only 2 hopeful candidates. Up to 6 candidates can get through the May 14 primary. It would be wonderful to have at least one more good person file by the March 1 deadline.

If you live in the Beatrice School District, will be 18 or older by election day in November, and would like to learn more, please contact me, other board members, or administrators. If you are concerned about possible disruptive interactions, of course that is possible. But in 2 ½ years of coming to meetings, I have yet to encounter any, and I like to think I am prepared if that happens. Very importantly, we have a very good team, and we support each other. If you are waiting for someone to ask you to consider filing for the Beatrice School board, I am asking you right now. Do your part to preserve our Democracy and prepare our children for a better future.

11/11/2022

The election went well for me. Thanks to 1788 voters, I made it onto the Beatrice School Board. I will do my absolute best to be deserving of the trust you have put in me. Now the real work begins. In the coming month I will be involved in workshops, orientations, and a state conference to learn how best to serve. Please feel free to get in contact with me anytime with your suggestions and requests.

30/09/2022

Groundbreaking for the new Beatrice elementary school, highlighting some of the beneficiaries of this endeavor, tossing their shovels full of dirt into the air.

30/09/2022

Here is my closing statement at the recent candidates forum.

Thanks again to the chamber for sponsoring this forum. I hope the discussions have been enlightening, giving a better sense of what I and the other candidates have to offer in policies, priorities, and capacity to work together as an effective board.

I have board and committee experience through many years with my church and in Kiwanis, as well as in curriculum, search, and additional committees through my department at UNL and in various professional organizations. Through my ongoing positions as treasurer, I have some understanding of budgeting and financing.

I recognize the importance of good and open communication in maintaining healthy relationships and building mutual respect. Civility is one of my highest priorities. I value clear thinking, collaborative engagement, accessibility, and dedication to the task at hand.

The success of the Beatrice school system is important to me because of the impact it has on our future generations. I promise to do my best if you elect me to the board.

Thank you!

30/09/2022

Here is my opening statement at the recent candidates forum.

Many thanks to the chamber for holding this forum! I welcome the opportunity to share something of myself and my interest in the Board.

My name is Charles Riedesel and I am a teacher, recently retired from UNL. I got my start here in Beatrice, having students build a computer at ESU 5. I counseled thousands of students, developed courses, worked career fairs, did research in education, and coached programming teams to world finals, and ending on a high note homeschooling my 6th grade granddaughter during a COVID year.

I am running for the School Board because I love education; the Beatrice school system provides a vital service for this community including my own family; and the people in it are worthy of our support. I look forward to board responsibilities of policy making, budgeting, promoting, and building.

I want to be part of a board that seeks real support for real education, real solutions for real challenges, and real openness to real opportunities.

Real education begins with objectives, starting with college and career prep that call for the basics. Beyond these are good character, ability to discern reality, a yearning for knowledge, civic mindedness, and emotional maturity.

Just two examples of real challenges are smartphone addiction (Reading books for pleasure has plummeted among young teens, impacting attention spans and focus.) and school to work (Businesses and trades can’t find help).

Real opportunities can arise from local industry and business connections, grants, and volunteer support.

Addressing all these objectives, challenges, and opportunities calls for a partnership among the schools, parents, and community. Let’s work together, building trust, keeping our eyes on the prize.

Thank you!

20/08/2022

Here's a bit of nostalgia - a big red apple for the teacher and an old fashioned school building with a school bell. I shared many of these apples with families attending the Gage County Fair. The apples are meant to represent respect and appreciation for our teachers.

18/08/2022

Important Objectives in Education: More than College and Career Prep!

Here is my handout at the Gage County Fair. Many were distributed, along with mini-packs of crayons for the kids. I have more - let me know if you would like me to save one for you.

17/08/2022

Important Objectives in Education: More than College and Career Prep!

An education involves much more than traditional academics. Objectives I support for our students revolve around good character, discernment of reality, pursuit of intellectual and artistic knowledge, civic mindedness, communication and other practical skills, and emotional stability.

As an example of my efforts in this regard, see the syllabus for an orientation course I developed and taught at UNL, directed to and required for new computing students but generalizable to any major.

Freshman Orientation to Computer Science and Engineering CSCE 10 – Pass/No Pass Only – 0 Credit Hours Fall 20nn Coordinator Prof. Charles Riedesel, Chief Undergraduate Advisor – Computer Science & Engineering 259 Avery Hall [email protected] 402-472-3486 Teaching Assistants Assistant 1 Assistant ...

08/05/2022

VOTE on Nebraska Primary Election Day, May 10, 2022!

This Tuesday, May 10, is the Nebraska primary election day. If you are a voter in the Beatrice School District, I would appreciate it if you can take a look at my race to consider my commitment to support all the students, as well as the teachers, staff, and administration of the Beatrice Public School system, while being a good steward of taxpayer funds. My focus is on finding real solutions for real challenges in education, preparing our students to be good citizens and prosperous leaders and workers. Thank you!

07/05/2022

My primary purpose for this survey is to take us back to what we want from preK-12 public education. Knowing this will lead to the next step which is how we can best meet these objectives. Other than for a few opening mainly demographic questions, the contents of this survey can also be found on my web site. I invite you to read through the survey, and if you feel led to do so, to submit your responses.

The concept of Public Education includes serving all students, preparing them to become good citizens as well as providing the knowledge and skills that lead to good careers. This education is an investment in our individual and collective futures and the future of our country. We may have different...