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Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Columbia Gorge News
www.columbiagorgenews.com
NORTH WASCO COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT #21 — ZONE 5
NORTH WASCO COUNTY SCHOOL
DISTRICT #21 — ZONE 5
Brian Stevens
Holly Gove
1) Why did you decide to run for a position on the North
Wasco County School District #21 board?
I’m running for the Zone 5 position on the District 21
School Board because as a parent, I feel like we have little
input in the direction of the education that our tax dol-
lars pay for. I’m concerned about the harmful progressive
mandates coming from the state level and I have observed a
lack of transparency regarding this that’s alarming. I want an
education environment for our kids that’s free from activism
politics. Common sense and balance seem to be in short
supply. I’m done complaining and have decided to put myself
in a position to effect change.
2) What is your background/profession, and where do
you live?
I have lived and worked in this community most of my
life. I love it here, always have. I’m a mom of 3 and grandma
to 1. Professionally, I spent 17 years working in local Radio
until 2011, when I transitioned to Real Estate, I’m a Principal
Broker with exp Realty, a cloud-based brokerage. Real Estate
has allowed me to see this town through the fresh eyes of a
newcomer on a regular basis. Potential home buyers look for
many things when looking to buy a home, a healthy school
system usually tops the list.
3) What will your top priorities be if voters select you to
serve on the board?
If elected, parents can be confident that they will have a
voice of reason on the board. My top priorities will be pushing
back against the indoctrination of our students and future
leaders by a harmful and misguided political ideology. I will
be a strong advocate for trade specific education opportu-
nities so students who don’t desire college will be able to
graduate with skills that will make them immediately employ-
able. I will collaborate with parents and community leaders
when setting policies for our district so that all who want to be
involved will have a voice.
4) What changes do you think the district needs to
make?
Some changes I’d like to see in District 21 is better fiscal
responsibility. Expending resources to change the name of
an elementary school is wasteful. I’d like to see funds used in
a way that directly benefits students. I’d also like to see our
kids back in school FULL TIME immediately, without masks.
Children are not the drivers of infection in this pandemic.
The masks are for show and may be loaded with bacteria and
doing more harm than good. Oxygen is required for proper
brain function, let them breathe! Our leaders have made
many mistakes, this may be one of the biggest.
1) Why did you decide to run for a po-
sition on the North Wasco County School
District #21 board?
I have been volunteering, mentoring, &
coaching kids in The Dalles for 19 years.
I’m know the impact that I’ve had in the
building. I now want to help with policy,
hold people accountable, help the new
superintendent implement her plan.
John Nelson
Brian Stevens
2) What is your background/profession, and where do
you live?
I live in The Dalles across the street from the high school.
I worked in the surgical department taking care of patient
and family needs at MCMC for 15 years. I’ve coached youth
sports for 19 years, high school for 6 years. I am now a pro-
fessional basketball coach in the TBL & trainer.
3) What will your top priorities be if voters select you to
serve on the board?
Getting a high school bond to ballot that will be fiscally
responsible and not “tax people out of their homes”.
I will ensure teachers have the support they need to be
successful in the classroom.
I will make certain our children acquire the skills needed
to meet the demands of higher education and job training/
trades
4) What changes do you think the district needs to
make?
Assuming kids are back in person beginning in the fall
then the new bond needs to be the next priority. Our com-
munity & kids must have a new building. There’s asbestos,
decaying plumbing, & the building doesn’t meet fire code or
safety...just to name a few of its issues.
NORTH WASCO COUNTY SCHOOL
DISTRICT #21 — ZONE 7
Judy Richardson is the only candidate filed for Zone 7. She
did not respond to the questionnaire.
In her filing with the Wasco County Clerk, Richardson lists
her relevant experience is that of a physician.
Her educational background includes a BS degree from
University of Puget Sound (biology), a MD degree (medi-
cine) from Dartmouth Medical School and a MBA degree
from OHSU (Business management.)
NORTH WASCO COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT #21 — ZONE 1
Rebecca Thistlethwaite
Mary Morehouse
1) Why did you decide to run for a position on the North
Wasco County School District #21 board?
I was first appointed to the Zone 1 seat
after the previous director resigned. I had just
finished my term on the Mosier Community
School board and was encouraged to apply
for this position to not only represent Mosier
but also the needs of the MCS charter school.
Once I was seated on the D21 board, I recog-
nized the need to strengthen relationships
with the Mosier community and build bridg-
Rebecca
es and understanding. I also witnessed the
Thistlethwaite
enormous progress that the district had made
in the last 5 or so years and I wanted to contribute towards
that positive momentum. We have a really great team of
thoughtful, respectful people on the school board and I want
to continue to be a part of that. There is more work to be done.
Mary Morehouse did not respond to the questionnaire.
In her filing with the Wasco County Clerk, said she is a self
employed bookkeeper and LTC.
In describing her relevant occupational experience she
wrote, "Running of my own business since 2012. Students
in district since 2009. Many hours volunteer work with cre-
ation of programs within the district and schools, including
Mosier Community School. Treasurer of the Booster Club
with The Dalles High School."
Her educational background includes a BS degree from
Eastern Oregon University in business administration.
2) What is your background/profession, and where do
you live?
My career has largely centered around agriculture, fund-
raising, and leadership positions. I have worked for Oregon
State University for almost 5 years as an Extension Specialist
helping small-scale meat producers and meat processors
solve problems. I also am a health coach on the side and do
farm business consulting too. I have two children (one at
TDHS and one who will attend MCS this fall) and have called
Mosier home since 2012. I love the Gorge and in my off time
you will find me trail running, hiking, mtn. biking, skiing,
gardening, and playing with my kids.
3) What will your top priorities be if voters select you to
serve on the board?
-Onboarding the new superintendent and making her feel
welcome so she can excel at her job and provide excellent
leadership
-Participating in long-range facility planning and determin-
ing course of action for school renovation and replacement
-Creating sustainable support for our charter schools
-Improving equity planning and implementation for our
district so that all students feel included, have opportunities,
and we continue to shrink the achievement gap while boost-
ing student achievement overall
-Listen to community voices and seek out those that are
generally not heard from or feel excluded
-Be an informed and respectful member of the school
board, abide by board policy with fidelity
4) What changes do you think the district needs to
make?
In my estimation, the top priorities for the district are:
-Closing the student achievement gaps (which includes
improving attendance and graduation rates, especially for
disadvantaged communities)
-Addressing the woeful conditions of our facilities through
a successful bond campaign
-Attracting, training, and retaining the very best staff
-Improving communication and outreach to parents and
the wider community
Dr. Cullen’s
Student of the week
Diego
Keegan Juan
Ku Ku
for Contreras
Global Studies:
Student of the week
Keegan comes to class every day
Juan has great participation in class. Not only
with a positive attitude and works
does he complete his work on time, Juan often
hard, not only improving himself,
gets his work completed early!
but fellow classmates as well.
Congratulations
Juan Diego Ku
Contreras,
TDHS
Keegan
Ku, TDHS
1) Why did you decide to run for a po-
sition on the North Wasco County School
District #21 board?
Experience Counts! In the eight years
that I have served on the School Board I
have gained the advantage of being trained
as a School Board Member in the State of
Oregon. I have given my full participation
as a Board member to the Oregon School
John Nelson
Board Association. The training I have
received to become a top quality Board member has been
invaluable to me and the District I serve. That has served
me well and I, in turn, have served the school district and
this community with distinction. I would like to continue
serving on the Board.
2) What is your background/profession, and where do
you live?
I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I earned a bache-
lor’s degree in Landscape Architecture at the University of
California at Berkeley and returned as a graduate student
in Education earning a teaching license. I moved to Oregon
with my wife and children, and worked as an educator for
about 30 years. In the last 21 years of my career I taught at
Warm Springs Elementary School on the Warm Springs
Indian Reservation. I became a full time resident of The
Dalles in 2008 after my retirement. Since then I’ve served as
a volunteer in service to this community.
3) What will your top priorities be if voters select you to
serve on the board?
My top priorities won’t mean a thing unless I can coop-
erate with the other board members to make decisions that
are based on serving the children safely in their education
first and foremost. Only the Board as a whole body can act to
implement a priority that could be mine. Given that I would
work to improve our ability to communicate our need to the
community to pass a bond to build a new high school, to
continue the board’s work on equity diversity and inclusion,
and to build trust between the district and the communities
we serve.
4) What changes do you think the district needs to
make?
Having served on the School Board for 8 years I think
D21 has been making tremendous changes over that time
to improve the functioning of the Board so that there is no
divisiveness, allowing the board to spend all its time on their
priorities to improve and create great educational outcomes
for our community. We need to continue our work to better
communicate with our partners in this region and to build
trust in order to support one another working together and
eliminating the barriers that separate us and do not serve
any of us well.
Carla McQuade
Carla McQuade did not respond to the questionnaire. In
her filing with the Wasco County Clerk, McQuade lists her
relevant experience as self employed; team interaction;
problem — solutions — accommodating decision making.
"I do feel my position would be an asset with background of
working with people and issues and situations."
She describes her occupational experience as that of sales
rep, talking with people and organizing events.
Her educational background includes PCC Sylvannia
College studying business.
SOUTH WASCO COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT #1 — ZONE 1
Paul Koerschgen
procedures as well.
4) What changes do you think the district needs to
make?
1) Why did you decide to run for a po-
I was involved with the initial push for a full time music
sition on the South Wasco County School
teacher and an opportunity for students to participate in the
District 1 school board?
FFA program. When the pandemic came it curtailed those
I have been attending board meetings
efforts. Another program I would push for is agriculture and
for the past couple years as a concerned par-
horticulture since we have a large local farming community.
ent. Being an active member on the board
I would like to see the district implement those programs
would give me an opportunity to provide
and other programs that teach the students valuable skills.
representation on behalf of my children’s
Paul
A subject that really needs addressed is meals. I have visited
education, well-being, and health. It would
Koerschgen
for lunch a couple times and was not happy with the qual-
also allow me to bring up the ideas and con-
cerns of other parents and community members. I am excited ity of food served. We can do a much better job providing
quality nutrition which is essential to a healthy learning
to potentially be involved with the rebuilding of the school
environment.
due to the Bond measure passing.
2) What is your background/profession, and where do
you live?
I was born and raised in Central Oregon. I started
working as a paperboy when I was 13 and continued to be
employed each summer doing different jobs from catering
to woodworking. I learned at a young age the importance of
work ethic and prided myself at doing my jobs well. I went to
college for business management. Currently I help run a local
wastewater treatment facility. In 2017, I moved to Wamic,
Ore., with my wife Sarah, to raise our four children in the
same rural community where she grew up.
3) What will your top priorities be if voters select you to
serve on the board?
Education and a safe, healthy environment are my top
priorities. We have a unique opportunity to rebuild the cur-
rent infrastructure since the bond measure passed last year.
The current facilities are a mess including the bathrooms,
cafeteria/kitchen, and roofs leaking. We need a complete
overhaul so the students can feel proud of their school. Better
facilities and updated equipment will encourage an improved
learning atmosphere. I would like to address current safety
Howard Fetz
1) Why did you decide to run for a po-
sition on the South Wasco County School
District 1 school board?
I am an experienced educator and board
member with considerable understanding
of the district, its students, and its parents/
patrons.
2) What is your background/profession,
Howard Fetz
and where do you live?
I am a caring leader in the following educational settings
— K-8, 9-12, college professor. I live in Maupin.
3) What will your top priorities be if voters select you to
serve on the board?
My top priorities are best summarized by the slogan “Kids
First.”
4) What changes do you think the district needs to
make?
SWCSD needs to enhance educational opportunities for
all of its students — “Not one way for all but the right way for
each!”
TRASH TALK
QA
Q. Where do I need to take my old
fridge, and is it free? Christine, Hood River
A. Christine, Old fridges and freezers
(air conditioners too) need to be “de-commissioned”,
which means to remove the harmful Freon gas.
Transfer stations do this. (Hood River Garbage and
The Dalles Disposal). Cost is around $35.
questions to:
Columbia View Dental
1915 E. 19th Street | The Dalles
Victor Cullen, DDS
541-296-5677 | Se habla español
(541)-506-2636 www.tricountyrecycle.com