School board candidates go head to head at forum

Havre school board candidates met Thursday night to answer questions at a forum at the Havre Middle School auditorium.

Ericka Everly, Timothy Scheele, Bobbi Teasley and incumbents Curtis Smeby and Cindy Erickson answered 11 questions presented by the moderator, Havre Daily News Tim Leeds, and those presented by the audience.

The first question given to the candidates was to do with why they decided to run for the school board.

Everly said she wanted to run because she has children and has a vested interest in how the school board works. She added that she wanted to see them achieve success through the Havre Public Schools system.

Erickson cited the training she has received in her five years of experience on the school board and said she enjoys being a volunteer on the board.

Scheele said he used to be a teacher before choosing a job with a higher pay rate at BNSF Railway Co. to support his wife and children. The oldest of his four children is just entering the school system and he wants to “make sure they get the good education Havre is currently working with.”

Bobbi Teasley said she also has kids in the school system and has an interest in the workings of the school district.

Curtis Smeby said he could make a difference on this school board because of his experience being a member of it.

He said he thought the current school board was doing a good job.

The school board candidates were given a minute apiece to answer the next ten questions presented by the moderator.

The questions ranged many issues they may confront if they are elected to be a board member. Their opinions on No Child Left Behind, what factors would weigh on their decisions as a board member, measuring teacher performance, budgets, and the past school board were heard at the forum.

The candidates were asked what factors would they base their decisions on if they were elected.

Smeby said he bases his decisions on knowledge, learning and researching the issues, as well as talking to the community.

“There are plenty of challenges,” Smeby said. “... But we have confidence in our administration.”

Everly responded to the question with her own vested interest in the workings of the school. She said she would keep in mind what is good for her, her daughter and the community as a whole when making her decisions. She added she would also take a look at what research says is successful.

Erickson said she bases her decisions on talking to the administration, the conversation between board members and the community’s input and interests.

Scheele said he would base his decisions on discussion with the school board as well, but also with teachers and administration. He added he would do the necessary research, ask the professionals in the school system and then come back with an educated opinion on a matter before making a decision.

A profile of each candidate will be in next Monday’s issue of the Havre Daily News.

Voting is Tuesday, May 6, at Havre High School. Voting is open to registered voters living in the Havre school districts.