Havre Public Schools election: Do your homework

Over the years, the Havre Public School District Board of Trustees has made some major decisions regarding the future of education in our community. Topics that have no historical precedent to rely on such as mask mandates, quarantine guidelines, online school capabilities, and the request from teachers to move from a traditional five-day schedule to a four-day school week, have brought an unprecedented level of decision-making expectations and public scrutiny to our trustees. Now, one of the greatest opportunities that democracy allows citizens of our community is about to occur; an election that will determine the make-up of Havre’s school board, and potentially the fate of our education system for years to come. Trustee positions are a three-year term and selecting candidates based on a single issue is not going to produce a qualified board that will function effectively. This is a critical juncture for our education community, and it is your opportunity to be a part of the democratic process that will determine that future.

Havre Public Schools will hold an election to fill two open School Board Trustee positions Tuesday, May 3. Have you done your homework? Are you ready to vote?

Education is a lifelong process and the key to making socially conscious and informed decisions. For those who are looking for information on a single topic, there is a litany of material available online, carefully curated by a multitude of media sources, ready to try to convince you of their truth. Rarely are these articles prepared to share both sides of the issue in a factual and analytical way. Algorithms on popular browsers such as Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge, data mine your previous search history and promote articles and information that aligns with information the search engine determines you are most likely to agree with. One good way to avoid this is to clear your browser history prior to searching for information on a single subject topic. This will provide you with the results in the least biased way, allowing you to research multiple aspects of a social issue. It can be difficult to remain unbiased as you go on this informational journey, consider the source of the information and its reliability. As members of a democratic society, it is our privilege and obligation to fully understand the issues, and where each candidate stands on those issues, before voting. Like research papers you wrote in school, it is important to understand all aspects of a subject, and how they will impact others in our community, not just ourselves.

School board meetings are open to the public, and for community safety during the pandemic, additional access was made available via Zoom. These meetings have been covered at varying levels by our radio and newspaper, and significant community discussion on social media. Remote access to these meetings has continued to be offered by Havre Public Schools, expanding community options for participation, and providing opportunities for individuals to educate themselves about the issues firsthand, without the tinted filter of media.

At a candidate forum April 11, hosted by the Havre Education Association, seven candidates were asked a series of questions, ranging from personal experiences to their vision for the future of Havre Public Schools. If you were not able to attend his forum, it is not too late to educate yourself regarding the individuals who have filed for election, and to determine who would best represent you, our students, and Havre Public Schools in the years to come.

A list of Havre Public Schools Trustee members, their contact information, and the Trustee Policy & Procedures manual are available via the Havre Schools website, http://www.blueponyk12.com . This is an important resource to refer to for facts regarding the extensive expectations of a Trustee member. Media, especially through unfiltered sources such as social media, does not always provide community members with an accurate perception of the duties of a trustee member. It is important that potential trustees, as well as voters, understand the civic commitment and integrity that this position requires.

Although some issues may resonate louder for you, your vote should not be completely influenced by a singular topic, such as mask mandates or four-day school week. Larger social issues also need to be considered by the trustees when they vote. Trustees must research and consider how policies may increase disparities, such as impacts on low-income families, at-risk youth, children with food and/or shelter insecurities, and students who require additional educational opportunities. Understanding these broader goals of school board trustees, allows community members to view trustee decisions through a broader lens. One that looks past trends or demands of the moment and delves into decision-making that will build our students’ capacity to learn and thrive and offer our youth and teachers, the best opportunity for long-term success.

Do your homework! Only by electing representatives who are accurately informed regarding the expectations of their position, who are prepared to make unbiased decisions based on facts, and who will keep the best interest of the educational community as a priority, deserve your vote. These candidates are members of your community, approach them with questions and ideas, but also try to be open to new viewpoints and possibilities. Together, as a community, we can build a school board that values education and promotes student success.

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Susan Brurud

This originally was submitted as coursework in the Foundation of Civic Engagement course at Montana State University-Northern.