Editor‘s note: 42Fifty staff member Andrea Murillo is the daughter of current SD308 BOE member Amy Murillo. Andrea Murillo did not take part in the writing or editing of this article.
Potential SD308 School Board of Education (BOE) candidates are gearing up for the April 1 local election. According to Shaw Local, eight candidates are running for four open seats on the BOE.
This election may bring in new board members, with an opportunity for residents to vote at designated polling places around the school district. With the possibility of welcoming fresh faces to help run SD308, voters need background on those running for the BOE.
A big concern the community is wondering about is what changes can be expected after the election.
“Currently, I do not believe there will be any significant changes; I just believe that the new BOE will bring fresh ideas,” said OH senior Kahli Parnell, an SD308 student ambassador who serves on the BOE.
Student ambassadors hold great importance and are used to help represent their peers and give the board fresh insights each year by providing insight from the perspective of a student.
“I love feeling comfortable with using my voice with the current board members. I would love seeing that continue,” said Parnell.
With no major change foreseen from the students, the staff wants to push for change.
“I’d love to see a strong cell phone policy in place,” said Pamela Phelps, an OH science teacher. “With phones put away for the day, kids are more likely to engage with each other, listen to instruction, and reach a higher level of success in school.”
The board aims to honestly and sincerely consider all voices and opinions. However, as new solutions emerge, it is important to note that many issues take time to resolve.
According to information stated on the FAQ page on the SD308 website, “The board rarely can be expected to act immediately on an issue brought before it for the first time. Even with more familiar issues, the board takes action only after it thoroughly examines all aspects of a matter.”
Ultimately, it is up to the new BOE to follow through with the community’s input and make the decisions that impact OH.
Several local events are being held for interested voters to learn more about the candidates running for the four open BOE seats.
