10/30/2022
Our first Becker School Board Candidate Spotlight is SARAH COLFORD! She is running for a 4 year position on the School Board.
Sarah is a business owner and a Becker High School Graduate and holds a degree from St. Cloud State University in Special Education.
Q: How would you handle requests/concerns, if approached, by an individual? Special interest groups?
A: Let me do some research and consult with the other board members and then we will get back to you. The members of the School Board must act as a team and offer (as well as accept) their opinions and other comments.
Q: What are the factors on which you will base your decisions as a school board member?
A: The needs of the students, staff, and community. Considering state and federal standards as a guide to ensure we are able to meet those needs.
Q: What are the outputs that mean most to you? How will you be accountable for them as a school board member?
A: Willingness to learn, work as a team to build a welcoming environment for all, ensuring that we are meeting all fiscal needs. Continuing to build on the skills I currently have and listening to our students, staff, and community members.
Q: Please describe your past experience with conflict resolution and consensus building. In your view, what is the role of the teachers’ union in the district? What about other stakeholder groups?
A: In all of my professional experiences there has been opportunity for conflict resolution. I am passionate about ‘chasing the why’, looking to see where a common ground can be found. I appreciate differences and while I may not always agree, I can objectively make decisions with the best interest in mind. The teachers union is a great support for educators. They are a resource and advocate for teachers. Clear, concise, communication will be a huge component with all stakeholders in the district. Objectively looking at concerns and creating ways to remedy those concerns.
Q: Do you trust our professional media specialists to select materials that are appropriate for their age groups while protecting our students right to read as outlined by the American Association of School Libraries, that is,
• Select resources according to principles of intellectual freedom, and provide learners with access to information that represents diverse points of view.
A: I trust that our valued Media Specialists will adhere to the ASA's affirmed propositions listed in their Freedom to Read Statement. Limiting and censoring materials in our libraries would be unethical as we (educators) are not to put forth our personal beliefs. Our students will not learn how to carefully form an objective opinion if we model subjective views and do not allow them to educate themselves and decide things for themselves.
Q: What are your thoughts on the CDC recommendation to include the experimental covid vaccine to the immunization list for schools? And if the state would mandate, would you vote to accept exemptions based on personal choice?
A: I support the CDC guidelines, however I will protect individuals right to choose.
Q: As we see Becker beginning to build high density housing, we may very well have an influx of students. In the past, we have struggled to meet the teacher demands, especially among the early childhood and special education programs. What steps would you take to ensure the needs of all students are being met without sacrificing the high quality of education for all, including the mainstream class, students?
A: Supporting the expansion of our district by continuing to build strong and solid schools. I would ensure that the district is obtaining future census projections and using those projections to begin planning for staffing and building changes as early as possible.
Q: Will any of you be addressing CRT and its disregard for the family unit and parental involvement within the district? A huge concern within our community.
A: Since CRT (Critical Race Theory) is an upper college level course, is there a need to address it at a Becker Schools level? Unless it is being confused with Culturally Responsible Teaching/Education. It has been addressed and discussed at several school board meetings. Community members have been reassured that Critical Race Theory is far beyond the scope of what is taught in public education.
Q: What about books that teach sexual perversion. Will you support banning these books and going back to supporting wholesome literature?
A: If there are books that need to be discussed, absolutely it is important to be brought to the attention of the school. I would question the idea behind what is sexually perverse and if they are required readings. I support the teachers and their reasoning behind the literature that they choose to use. I find value in how these tools are introduced to their classes, if there are issues that could be concerning. With all of the curriculum listed on the school website, it is helpful to parents know what is being taught. Some parents may approve of books that others may not. I am an advocate for all parents to have a voice in what their child/children have access to in public education. It is important for all students to see themselves in books that we have in our libraries know what is being taught. Some parents may approve of books that others may not. I am an advocate for all parents to have a voice in what their child/children have access to in public education. It is important for all students to see themselves in books that we have in our libraries.
Q: Will you tell teachers (mostly high school) to leave their political opinions at home?
A: Political opinions are just that, an opinion. Educating all areas of belief is incredibly important to follow our mission.
Q: Will you stop the teaching of macro and micro aggression theory and "racial and sexual orientation" equity and realize that it only divides us. This only feeds anger and divisiveness.
A: I support inclusive education. I believe that all beliefs should be represented and the students should be respected. I believe that teachers should be supported when teaching these issues, as they are sensitive topics.
Q: Most importantly, will you listen to and represent the community you work for, and be open and transparent? And fiscally responsible?
A: Our job as a board member is to be the voice of our community. I am happy to listen, share, problem solve with everyone that I come into contact with.
Q: Some of the candidates have suggested they want to give "control" of the classroom back to parents. How do you envision that happening in a public school that is governed by state standards? Also, which parents "get" the control? Why should specific parents have the ability to control every student's education?
A: We hire a superintendent to follow through with hiring highly educated teachers to provide education to our students. I agree transparency is key to allowing parents to be involved in their child’s education, however giving control to anyone is a tough concept. It is a state requirement that teachers share all of the curriculum used on the school website. This allows for transparency for parents to know what exactly what is being taught. I value the opinions and ideas of parents who want to be more involved in the classroom, but I believe that the ultimate, ethical decision on what material is taught to students is left to the District.
Q: In July, the school board had a first reading of a new policy, 471. That policy would ban the "teaching of inherently divisive concepts". What are your feelings about the need for a policy such as 471?
A: I was surprised to see that policy 471 was written so quickly after our strategic planning committee wrapped up. Many aspects of the proposed policy were directly against the work that was completed during the meeting of the strategic planning committee. I don’t feel as if this policy has the best interest of all Becker students. If policy 471 is brought back to the table after legal review, I would hope that it undergoes new formatting and with new language that will allow the district to agree that it would be a positive change for all members of the District.
