Trustee candidates share vision for Plains School

Candidates for the Plains School Board were invited to attend a meet-and-greet at the Fairgrounds Pavilion, giving the public an opportunity to hear how they would lead the district into the future.

The event was moderated by Annie Wooden, publisher of the Sanders County Ledger. Wooden assembled a series of questions and asked each of the five candidates to share their opinions, with two minutes allotted for each response.

This election cycle includes two three-year terms and one one-year term. Rachel Chenoweth, Clint Weedman and Doug Padden are running for the three-year positions. Kelly Pfister and Robert Cutlip, who currently serves on the school board, are running for the one-year term.

Each candidate was given time to introduce themselves. 

Clinton Weedman spoke first, describing himself as an involved parent with children attending the local school. 

“I want to give back to the community,” Weedman said. 

Rachel Chenoweth was next. She moved to the area about four years ago. 

“When we moved here, we felt that we needed to be involved in the community,” Chenoweth said, noting she has 20 years of experience teaching track and field.

Doug Padden, a local rancher and retired teacher from Thompson Falls, spoke next. 

“I am all about teachers and education,” Padden said. 

Kelly Pfister followed. She has served as a business manager and clerk for the school board and has been a Plains resident for the past 16 years. 

“I believe the schools are the heart of the community,” Pfister stated. 

Robert Cutlip was the final candidate to introduce himself. Cutlip has experience in business management. 

“This is my way to give back to the community,” he commented.

Wooden then asked a series of questions, giving each candidate two minutes to respond. The first question was: What do you view as the role of a school board member, and how will you balance the needs of staff, administration, students, and the community? 

“I believe the role of the school board is to keep the mission of the school moving forward. There is accountability within the board. Work with the superintendent,” Chenoweth said. 

Padden answered, “Focus on the staff. Feed your teachers so they don’t eat the students. Strong leadership.”

The second question asked which core services would be the top priority if budget cuts were necessary. 

“I think its most important to preserve the core courses. If something had to go, you would need to start looking at the sports arena or something,” Cutlip commented. 

Weedman added, “I would think that you could potentially trim a little from here and there, all over the place. Not everyone would be happy, but everyone would have a voice.”

Wooden’s next question addressed the Harmony Homeschool program and whether candidates viewed it as an asset or a liability. 

“We need to find creative ways to bring more kids into the Plains School District. If we continue to approach this opportunity as an opportunity and try to find ways that it benefits the school,” Pfister said. 

Cutlip said he initially had concerns. 

“I had mixed emotions about Harmony when it was first brought up. I was concerned that it would take away the value from what our school had to offer,” Cutlip continued, “Most people are pulling their kids from school because of fear, social media, maybe mistrust. Maybe they don’t like the way things are being run at the school. If we can do some course correction and some healing, I don’t think Harmony is going to be a negative impact as I initially thought it was.”

Padden added, “Figure out how to best involve those children in our school and the services they would like to be involved in and keep a good atmosphere amongst all that.” 

He continued, “Start talking to these people. Figure out why they are leaving.”

Another question addressed closing the playground gates outside of school hours. 

“It is a safe haven for children to come. I would imagine we could figure out a solution so children could come and play on that playground after hours,” Padden said. “I would much rather have them playing there than running up and down the street.” 

Padden also referenced a quote from Ronald Reagan, saying, “Gorbachev, tear down this wall.”

Wooden’s final question asked how candidates would hold the administration and themselves accountable for meeting board goals. 

“Have a good relationship with the superintendent and a good relationship with the staff,” Weedman responded.

Wooden also invited questions from the audience. Former school board member Ellen Childress asked how morale among teachers and staff could be restored. 

Padden replied, “Become a high-trust board.” 

Pfister added, “Listen to our educators.” 

Wayne Baker asked how the board would build community trust in passing a mill levy. 

“Our school is essential in our community. It is important that people are part of the school,” Chenoweth stated.

The evening meeting drew more than 30 people in attendance.

    Doug Padden is a candidate for a three-year term for the Plains School Board. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)
  

    Kelly Pfister is a candidate for a one-year term for the Plains School Board. (Tracy Scott/Valley Press)