Candidate Q&A responses for 2022 election

Disclaimer: The Branding Iron has only reached out to electoral candidates whose positions have a direct impact or tie to University of Wyoming students and staff.

Questions:

Albany County School District #1:

A: What is your opinion on gender inclusion & equality in schools?

B: Should the School Board be more involved in curriculum development and what is taught in the classroom?

C: Currently, there is a discussion within the Wyoming Legislature Education Committee regarding Suspension and Expulsion record keeping in the state. What role or influence should the School Board have in determining Suspensions and Expulsions?

Albany County Sheriff:

D: What is the role of the Sheriff’s Department?

E: What does transparency mean to you?

F: What are the importance of mental health units and de-escalation tactics in the police force?

Superintendent of Public Instruction:

G: How can the school connect with parents, youth, and the community regarding developing policy?

H: What are some of the most pressing issues revolving around education, and how do you, if elected, plan to solve them?

Hospital District Trustees:

I: What are some of the long-term goals and policies you intend to implement if elected?

J: Who will you include in policy development discussions?

K: What would the board do in response if there was a resurgence in COVID-19?

WY Governor:

L: How will Wyoming begin preparing for and managing the incoming water crisis?

M: Will Wyoming use new technologies, such as carbon capture, to aid in slowing climate change? How will this be used to stimulate the economy?

N: What changes will be implemented to improve the mental health of the population of Wyoming?

Albany County Commissioner:

O: Given the authority of the County Commissioner, what do you plan to do?

P: In your role, what is the importance of collaboration?

Albany County Assessor:

Q: What is the impact of the University on the Laramie community when it comes to assessing property?

R: How, if applicable, does the rental ordinance established between ASUW and the Laramie City Council affect rental property owners and assessments of their property?

Laramie City Council:

S: What are the goals for the city (not your personal campaign goals)?

T: How would the city address the developing parking issues around campus and downtown if elected?

U: What are some ways to connect West Laramie to the University District?

V: There has been mention of a “blight” affecting businesses throughout Laramie. If elected, how would you combat this?

Answers:

Wyoming Governor:

Mark Gordon:

L. Wyoming must be vigilant to protect our water rights. I have established a working group on the Colorado River Compact and added more staff with the Attorney General and State Engineer offices. I have also upgraded water storage and irrigation infrastructure and teamed with the Legislature and Congressional Delegation to fund it.

M. Innovation, not regulation, is the key to addressing global climate concerns. I am committed to ensuring Wyoming continues its leadership and support for technological advancements in energy development, including Carbon Capture and Sequestration (CCUS). The impact of commercially successful CCUS technologies will extend the viability of coal as a fuel, and such technologies can be exported to coal-producing areas around the world.

N. It is critical to address the mental health needs of Wyoming citizens. Key to this effort is ensuring community mental health services are available to those in need. I provided funding to enable Wyoming’s suicide lifeline service to offer full-time, Wyoming-based coverage 24 hours a day, every day. I convened the Governor’s Mental Health Summit in October to engage multiple stakeholders, with an emphasis on building partnerships and enhancing collaboration. Additional efforts are being coordinated through the Governor’s Health Task Force, which meets regularly.

Theresa A. Livingston:

L. Water will be a huge issue.  If we don’t figure it all out, we are setting ourselves up for “water wars.”  It will be difficult as many water agreements were set up years ago, with the most senior rights having precedence.  This problem is not just surface water but also groundwater.  The whole water system is connected.  Seventy percent of water rights are for agriculture.

Golda Mier, the first prime minister of Israel, brought the leaders of neighboring countries that never spoke to each other into her kitchen & cooked for them.  I want to assemble all of the governors of surrounding states to come to Cheyenne and work on a solution for this huge issue.  

This water issue does not just belong to agriculture.  We in the towns and cities need to join the effort to use our precious water in the best ways.  How do we use water in the best ways for conservation?  There are ways.  We all need to be part of the solution.

We need to talk more about everything.  We need to learn how to listen.  We need our younger intelligent people to come up with better ideas.

M. I certainly hope so.  It’s past time that Wyoming should be the leader in new technology.  We have amazing young people here with great ideas that need to be heard.  New technology will create jobs and, therefore, will boost our economy.  Anything that helps our climate is a great way to help us have a better life.  I believe in the younger people here in Wyoming.  I believe you will be the difference in bringing Wyoming to a new level.

N. Talking about mental health would be a good start.  We tend to bury our head about things that we don’t want to believe is happening.  Suicide is rampant.  Being the #1 state for young suicide is not something to be proud of.  We need to start having emotional health classes in schools.  We need more mental health workers.  We need to grow our own here.

I would think that being more accepting and more liberal in our thinking in our state would be a way to go.  I see that the younger generation is more accepting of others.  They don’t care what your sexual preference is.  They want us all to be happy.  Hopefully, they will find ideas to help all of us.  I understand mental health because I have suffered from depression.  I was lucky to have access to what I needed.

We all need to be part of the solution.  A healthy Wyoming is a better Wyoming. Medicaid Expansion would help these services be more available.

Superintendent of Public Instruction:

Megan Degenfelder (no response)

Sergio A. Maldonado Sr. (no response)

Albany County Commissioner:

Terri Jones (no response)

Heber Richardson (no response)

Pete Gosar (no response)

Klaus Halbsgut:

I have no agenda, I have no land I wish to develop or any business interests I wish to promote. I will bring a practical, can-do, blue-collar perspective to the commission.

I am longtime resident and business owner, my auto repair business is now in its thirty first year. I have made a career of providing expert analysis of the customers problem and finding a solution. In other words, I am a problem solver, I fix things.

I will bring that pragmatism to the position of county commissioner. Listening, analyzing the problem, and delivering a solution/fix are key to what I do every day, skills every commissioner should have and I will bring this skill to the commission.

I won’t promise to fix everything or that I will always agree with you. I do promise three things. I will listen, I will work hard and I will not walk out of commissioner meetings because I lost an argument. Most problems can be resolved by being informed, collaborative, reasonable and willing to compromise.

I believe that for the greater good of the county and it’s residents that the Commissioners, City Councillors and UW should all work together for the benifit of our community.

In almost every case if it is good for Albany County, it is good for Laramie and UW. We are all in this together, working together when we can, will only make our community stronger. I plan to work very hard to continue the positive relationship the current County Commission has with the city of Laramie and UW.

Albany County Sheriff:

Joel Senior:

D. On the most basic level the role of the Sheriff and his deputies is prescribed by Wyoming statute (WSS 18-3-601 through 18-3-611).  These statutes provide the framework of expectations and responsibilities of the Sheriff’s Office, some of which include, being responsible for maintaining a jail and being responsible for the care of the prisoners therein, (18-3-603), service of civil papers and providing court security, (18-3-604), and a duty to preserve peace (18-3-606).  This role has clearly evolved substantially and more is asked of the office today.  Deputies are expected to be proficient in handling a vast array of situations from non-criminal disputes, people in mental crisis, complex criminal investigations and active shooter incidents to name a few.  The Sheriff’s Office also has a large role with in the community, partnering with other stakeholders and working together to provide resources, aside from placing people in jail, to better our community.

E. Transparency means telling the truth 100% of the time, not only when it will make the agency look good but also when a mistake has been made and you need to make improvements.  The ability to self assess and take criticism and input prevents the same mistakes from being made repeatedly.  The Sheriff’s Office should be part of the community, however; that will never happen unless the leadership is willing to have a two-way conversation, accept responsibility for shortcomings and move forward with a positive plan for correction.  Only when the community see’s that the office is receptive to their concerns will they start to build trust.

F. Properly screened and hired LEO’s get into a career in law enforcement because they want to help people and have no desire to take anyone’s life.  Unfortunately, not everyone is naturally equipped to de-escalate a tense and rapidly evolving situation.  It is incumbent on LE administrators to provide the necessary training and equipment for these officers to be successful in handling these incidents so that the person in mental crisis can receive the care that they need.

Aaron Appelhans:

D. ​​The role of the Sheriff’s Office is multi-faceted. The Sheriff’s Office is tasked with keeping the peace within Albany County. That includes providing law enforcement services to all our cities and towns within the county. The Sheriff’s Office also maintains the county jail and partners with other law enforcement agencies that use the facility.

The Sheriff’s Office is responsible for many of our emergency first responders outside of law enforcement.  Albany County Search and Rescue Team, Albany County Emergency Management, and the Albany County Fire Warden all work within the Sheriff’s Office and respond to any natural or man-made disasters that occur within the county.

Lastly, the Sheriff’s Office is responsible for many of the civil services provided by your local government. The office handles abandoned vehicles, conceal carry permits, sex offender registry, fingerprinting, VIN inspections, and civil service document delivery.

Having lived in Albany County for 20+ years and being part of the community, I am very familiar with the area, the people, and the issues. The duties of the Sheriff of Albany County require a broad base of knowledge, skills, and abilities in everything related to criminal law, civil law, business law, financial management, leadership, ethics, and emergency response. I bring the professional skills, training, and certifications needed for every aspect of this elected office.

E. Maintaining trust and transparency with the public is another top priority for my office. It’s no secret that the administration before me allowed a toxic environment to grow inside and outside of the Sheriff’s Office. Everything from fiscal mismanagement, racism, sexism, favoritism, homophobia, poor hiring practices, and a lack of training was allowed. In some cases, encouraged by previous management. In a little over a year since I’ve been in office, I have turned the Sheriff’s Office into the professional law enforcement agency our community asked for. Deputies that break the law or have been terminated from other agencies no longer work for my office. The good ol’ boys club in our office no longer exists. Every deputy in my office now serves our community with respect, compassion, and professionalism, meeting your expectations.

As an elected official, I always remain accessible and available to the public. Citizens are encouraged to contact me directly with questions or concerns. For those with accessibility issues, my office plans on adding an anonymous reporting system that allows for submittals online or text.  If the community would like other ways to address concerns with my office, I am always open and willing to listen to any suggestions.

F. I’ve worked on addressing the mental health crisis response issues of our arrestees and inmates by providing a quality health provider inside our detention center. We are now able to screen individuals better and refer them to services to aid in recovery and reintegration into our community. Collaborations with mental health providers in the community also provide aid for those released on bond and not housed in our detention center. Ongoing training for our deputies to be able to better respond to calls with people in mental health crisis has helped de-escalate dangerous situations resulting in peaceful resolutions for everyone involved.

Allies in addressing those in mental health crisis calls include the Albany County Mental Health Board, County Attorney’s Office, Peak Wellness/Volunteers of America, Albany County Drug Courts, local mental health providers, SAFE Project and many more. Solving the mental health issues in our community requires a lot of collaboration, because a law enforcement response isn’t always the best response for someone with mental health issues. Law enforcement may be the first to respond but having the options we have in Albany County to refer to other services allows us to find a resolution peacefully while getting people the help they truly need.

Albany County Assessor:

Chelsie Mathews:

Q. What is the impact of the University on the Laramie community when it comes to assessing property?

The University brings many valuable assets to our community.  While the growth and expansion of the University is exciting it does come with its challenges.  As the University expands, it buys up city blocks that were once taxable property.  Once that property is used for educational purposes it becomes tax exempt, which then impacts all the entities that rely on tax dollars such as our local public schools. I believe University expansion is good, we just need to be cautious of the amount of taxable property going to the wayside.

R. How, if applicable, does the rental ordinance established between ASUW and the Laramie City Council affect rental property owners and assessments of their property?

I haven’t seen any evidence of the recent rental ordinances affecting property value yet.  However, I believe these ordinances are being rolled out in “phases” with some of them going into effect January 1 of 2023.  I don’t predict the market, I follow it.  Sales of rental properties in 2023 will affect the 2024 assessments. 

Shelley J. Leonard (no response)

Laramie City Council:

Allison Cunningham (no response)

Micah Richardson:

A. In January of 2022, City Council adopted the following goals:

Goal 1 – Holistic, Laramie-Centric Economic Development:

This includes implementation of the Thrive! Plan; affordable housing options and flexibility to the developer community; redevelopment of N 4th St properties and the surrounding area; and implementation of an Urban Renewal Authority.

Goal 2 – Environmental Stewardship: This includes creating public policies regarding recycling and litter reduction, protection of our water resources, reduction of green house gases and increased energy efficiency.

Goal 3 – Maintain and Improve City Services: Continue the technology efficiency program, make modifications to compensation in order to recruit and retain staff, and renew the leas on the Monolith Ranch.

Goal 4 – Maintain and Improve Municipal Infrastructure: Complete planned investments into street system and complete pavement assessment, seek newly available funding, create sustainable surface water run-off diversion & management system, continue expansion of the green belt, park and rec amenities, continue water and sewage improvements.

Goal 5 – Intergovernmental Collaboration: Update and adopt a joint aquifer protection plan, create and adopt a joint agreement within the rural/urban interface (Laramie Area Growth Plan), and create a general intergovernmental cooperation and planning committee.

B. How would the city address the developing parking issues around campus and downtown if elected?

Because campus is surrounded by town, any campus growth is going to create growing pains, including parking pains. I believe the issue is only going to become trickier and all of us will likely need to start thinking about transportation a bit differently. The new parking garage on campus should create some much-needed relief, but I’d like to see if there are other possibilities for smaller lot parking for community members living directly north of campus. Additionally, I’d like to see increased access to buses and bikes as well. It will be incredibly important for City Council to work to continue to foster a relationship with the University to ensure both entities are on the same page when growth inevitably occurs.

Laramie has a fair number of parking lots downtown, but I don’t believe everyone is aware of them all. The city can support Laramie Main street’s efforts to create wayfinding signs to direct folks to the parking lots. I’d also be interested in exploring the feasibility of creating a parking garage in the future.

As we look to the future, we need to think about how we can make our community more walkable/bikeable to help offset growth.

C. Currently UW is providing bus service, cost free to the city and county, but that service currently doesn’t provide access to or from West Laramie. I’d love the city (and the county) to work with the University to provide bus transportation to that area, as well as additional areas. This sort of collaboration can be incredibly beneficial to strengthening our community.

I’d also like to see the green belt expanded to the West Side as well. An unofficial path is already well used under I-80 so paving that to provide additional access to the West Side makes good sense.

D. If it is determined that an area is blighted, an Urban Development Authority (URA) would be one tool to help a business in the blighted area address the issue. The use of tax increment financing (not a new tax) collected over time could be used to make improvements including improvements to sidewalks and roads among other things

Brandon Newman:

To bring in jobs, housing and to make Laramie a place people want to visit and live.

We need to look at a better system when it comes to parking, rather its parking garages or public transportation.

West Laramie seems to be the part of the city that is left alone or forgotten. WE as a city need to engage with those citizens. I happen to be one of them.  Communication needs to be better

The city needs to partner with these businesses in and around Laramie, give them a reason to do business here in Laramie and not pack up shop and go somewhere else.  On my website, Brandonnewman.net I have answered this question before, as well as some of the others.

Brett Glass (no response)

Erin O’Doherty:

S. I plan to continue the city-county cooperation that allows both entities to save money and to protect our citizens and environment. I aim to offer more recycling options for people in apartments, because there is too much cardboard getting thrown in dumpsters. I would continue to work with UW students to find more ways to reduce carbon emissions, particularly to explore composting options.

T. This is a difficult problem, because most of the people who need a place to park are city residents and therefore our constituents, but the people who live near the University are also our constituents and would like to be able to park near their residences.  Meanwhile the University shifted the geographic center of employee workplaces more toward  9th and Lewis which exacerbates the problem. I’ve been vocal about my disappointment about the loss of parking near the Union and Coe.  I’ve seen those lots used heavily in the evenings.  

The city does not have the resources to solve this problem, though I will try to create more bike friendly routes in town.  I would encourage UW to run more frequent shuttles, so that employees and students do not feel the need to park close.  I understand though, because if an employee just has to run out for an appointment or pick up a sick child, they would like to have transportation nearby to reduce their time away from work.   The City has  been working with a company to provide some electric vehicle rental spots near campus to reduce the need for everyone having a car nearby. Ideally the University would work with us to provide a few spots.

U. We need more bike trails that do not require riding on busy roads. 

V. There may be grant money available for urban renewal projects that could be used to improve areas through public-private partnerships. Any such efforts would have to have willing cooperation from landowners. I’d support such projects as long as the parameters are spelled out carefully, have good oversight,  and we do not create a situation where we are just enriching a few people. 

Joe Shumway:

S. The city of Laramie must continue provide reliable clean water.  We must keep our infrastructure, such as streets, water and waste water a high priority.  Police and fire departments must be fully funded. Our accountability to the citizens of Laramie needs to improve with ‘in person’ meetings.  Early next year the city council and staff will meet to set goals for 2023.  It’s time the city council spend the majority of its time and our staff’s efforts on critical priorities not wish-lists. .

T. I propose that we have a five block residential parking buffer (parking reserved for residents).    This five block ‘donut’ surrounding the university campus would insure renters, apartment residents and home owner’s reasonable parking near where they reside.  It’s time we return parking to residents and force the University of Wyoming to provide students, staff and visitor’s adequate parking either on campus or in shuttle lots.  Many universities have made this transition in the interest of respect for the community in which they are located.    As to the downtown, a big step would be for store owners and store employees to park in out-lots not in front of downtown businesses.

U. Have a shuttle lot in West Laramie. Have University bus routes that make drop-off and pick-up stops in West Laramie.

V. We must work with Laramie Mainstreet Alliance, Laramie Chamber Business Alliance, participate in the Community Economic Development Strategic Action Plan Project and of course maintain streets, sidewalks and city infrastructure.

Bernard Haggerty:

S. The City’s goals should be sustainability, livability, and a future-focus. In the next thirty years, the City will grow by one-third—about 10,000 residents—, and the City must plan to welcome 10,000 more residents without 10,000 more cars. Cars ruin cities because they segment human habitat with dangerous, multi-lane streets, they kill children (cars have killed two children in Cheyenne crosswalks in the last few years), and they are the reason for sprawl.

T. Like the rest of Laramie, the areas around the University and downtown are plagued by cars. The solutions for car congestion, including parking congestion, are the same across the world: stopping car-dependent sprawl and building low-traffic neighborhoods, adding busses, more busses, dedicated bus lanes, bikes, more bikes, bike-shares, dedicated bike lanes, raised crosswalks, pedestrian overpasses and underpasses, lower speed limits, . . . everything that discourages cars and induces demand for alternatives to cars.

U. West Laramie and the West Side should be connected to the University by regular bus service and at least three dedicated bicycle and pedestrian corridors. But, connecting West Laramie and the West Side to downtown and the University should be part of a deliberate, long-term effort to (1) integrate our segmented pedestrian and bicycle pathways into a useable alternative transportation network, and (2) build a regional transit system drawing together Centennial and the ski area, Laramie, Cheyenne, and Fort Collins.

V. Our Public Art Coalition and Mainstreet Alliance have been indispensable resources for a vibrant community, and if elected I would do everything possible to give them resources they need. But, I associate a sense of blight with the ugliness and sickness of car-dependent sprawl. We need firm regulations and long-term planning to fight sprawl, to make our community livable and to protect our aquifer. And, we need to provide options like bicycle and transit infrastructure to give any Laramie resident the freedom of the City without a car.

Albany County School District #1: (Area A, Unexpired Two Year Term)

Dexter Slade Candelaria (no response)

Mary Alice Bruce (no response)

Phoebe Newman (no response)

Elliott Arthur:

A. Equality – According to the Constitution, we are created equal. That means we are entitled to the same rights under the law. Obviously it doesn’t mean equal abilities. Some are stronger, some have artistic or musical abilities, some have native intelligence, but others are not or do not possess some or any of these traits. 

A school board must ensure that all students are provided an equal opportunity to acquire an education which will provide a foundation upon which students can build a successful and prosperous life no matter what path a student chooses to follow. 

This does not mean that anyone is entitled to engage in behavior that is disruptive to the learning environment. Such behavior should not be acceptable in our schools. 

B. Absolutely yes. 

C. Each school board should have absolute control over all discipline policy in their district. By the same token, the board is accountable to the parents in making sure those policies are administered in a lawful and equal manner. 

Alex Moon Krassinn (no response)

Jeff Suloff (no response)

Albany County School District #1: (Area A: Four Year Term)

Thomas Martin (no response)

Mike Schilt (no response)

Steve Gosar (no response)

Sandi P. Rees (no response)

Beth Bear:

A.My opinion is that our schools should be welcoming, inclusive places for all students and that all students are treated equitably and with respect and dignity.  We should continue to work to ensure all students thrive in our schools academically, socially, and emotionally and that all students remain protected from bullying and discrimination in any form.  

B.The role of the Board is not in developing curriculum, but in approving any new curriculum that has been thoroughly vetted by our qualified, experienced teachers and administrators.  District curriculum committees and the Assistant Superintendent review and recommend curriculum to the Board in a thoughtful, collaborative process. Curriculum is aligned with state standards to enable students to meet and exceed standards.  New courses are brought forth by schools each year and are annually reviewed and approved by the Board.   

C. The role of the Board in expulsions is to review information presented by Administration of individual cases being considered for expulsion or stipulated agreement, to make a final vote on the matter, and to participate in any formal hearing brought before the Board.  It is the role of the Administration to investigate matters that may require suspension or expulsion and to make a recommendation to the Board if appropriate.  The Board should not have influence on that process as that role and responsibility lies with Administration. 

Teri Jo Gillum (no response)

Dan Bleak:

A. There is no perfect answer to this issue and my personal opinion as a board member shouldn’t be the determining factor in decisions I make affecting those students.  If requests are brought to the board to revise current policies, those amendments should be considered only after gathering input from the stakeholders – students, teachers/staff, families, etc. – and then seeking recommendations from the administration.  I would weigh heavily what is in the best interest for the largest number of students while trying to ensure that all students receive a quality education in a safe environment.

B. The Wyoming Dept of Education has a set of Content and Performance standards.  To quote the WDE, “Standards do not dictate methodology, instructional materials used, or how the material is delivered. Those decisions are made at the local level by school boards and district staff.”  We have well-qualified teachers, staff and administrators who develop curriculum to meet those standards.  Stakeholders in our community should have the opportunity to have a voice in that process.  The board can help ensure that happens.

C. In my view, the Board’s role is to review the policies regarding suspensions and expulsions.  Per Wyoming law, they can delegate the authority to suspend for 10 days or less to administrative or supervisory staff.  For longer suspensions or expulsions, the board’s current policy appears to require a hearing before the board.  Based upon the information I currently have, I don’t see a need at this current time to revise those practices.

Carrie Murthy:

A. All students deserve a high-quality education in a safe learning environment—an environment in which every student is supported, cared for, seen, and valued for who they are.

Our schools are currently guided by the district’s non-discrimination policy, which is intended to provide guidance to our district to ensure all students are treated fairly and equitably. The policy states: “Albany County School District #1 (ACSD#1) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, sexual orientation, age or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, in its programs or activities.” Neither gender nor gender identity are explicitly mentioned. Those are protected by federal law and thus apply in ACSD1; however, I would be in favor of updating the district’s non-discrimination policy to explicitly identifying gender/gender identity as being protected from discrimination. This would better align with federal law and would clearly signal that our schools are inclusive, safe spaces for all students.

B. The School Board’s role as part of the curriculum vetting process is to ensure our curriculum is top-notch, evidence-based, and right for our community. There are experts and committees who develop and approve curriculum, and it goes through a thorough vetting process that includes opportunity for community input. During that process, parents and any other individuals can share their opinions on proposed curriculum. And through this process, we have factual, thoroughly vetted curriculum in our schools. Once curriculum is approved, I see the Board’s role as supporting the implementation of the curriculum through supporting our highly skilled and highly trained educators.

C. I have studied education programs, practices, and trends for more than 16 years. In my volunteer work and personal life, I have worked directly with migrant students, children in the foster care system, students without housing, English Learners, and LGBTQ+ youth. From those experiences, I have a deep understanding of how different backgrounds, different identities, different family structures and home lives, and cognitive differences can influence a student’s success—and how different students may need different supports. Suspension and expulsion are often not the best solutions; we know from a growing body of research that a student who has been suspended has an increased likelihood of dropping out of school and entering the criminal justice system. This type of disciplinary intervention also has a negative impact on student achievement. It is important that we seek better mitigation strategies and alternatives to suspension and expulsion.

I have observed and researched several innovate and effective mitigation strategies and alternatives to detention and suspensions across the country. Counseling, community service, completion of modules that address the problematic behavior, and restitution programs are all promising alternatives. I have also seen several positive examples of strong student engagement and positive behavior reinforcement in our schools here in Albany County, and these play a role in preventing suspensions and expulsions. Examples include reinforcement of character education and school values, bullying prevention and intervention, conflict resolution skill-building, mental health supports, and positive relationships between adults and students in the schools.

Gwen Clark:

A. All students, administration, faculty and staff should be treated with dignity and respect. If we are talking about gender dysphoria, then students who are experiencing this should be offered help and support and not be shamed. Males should not be allowed on female sports teams or be allowed to enter female restrooms.

B. The School Board should be aware of being taught in the classrooms and should approve all new curricula.

C. The School Board develops the suspension and expulsions policy and should be apprised of each situation when they occur. If there is an appeal the school board will hear and make a judgment at that point.

Albany County School District #1: (Area B: Four Year Term)

Leo Swope (no response)

Stella Rios Nowell:

A. I believe that schools should be inclusive of all students.  As a young Latina student, I was aware of bias even as early as 2^nd grade and have strived to ensure for educational equity, ensuring that all students have access to what they need to be successful in school. 

For many students, school is a safe place and we need to work to keep the message that, “you belong here.” 

B. I truly believe that the School Board should be aware of what is being taught in the classroom.  However, School Board Trustees are members of the community that come from an array of occupations.  Most of which experts in their particular field, but not an expert curriculum writer.  Having taught in Albany County for 14 years, I know that there is a process and protocol for previewing, selecting, adopting and implementing a new curriculum.  We need to trust the educators and the procedure that ACSD1 has in place. 

C. The local School Board should follow (revise or redraft) the current guidelines in the School Board Policy. The School Board would also need to be aware of all suspensions and interventions that will be in place to hopefully avoid future suspensions.  The school board should be consulted for expulsions as an expulsion would severely impact that student’s life. 

Janice Marshall:

a.     ALL students and staff deserve a learning and working environment that is supportive, respectful and allows dignity for all. The district non-discrimination statement guides us. “Albany County School District #1 (ACSD#1) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, sexual orientation, age or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, in its programs or activities. “

b.     The School Board has the deciding vote on any new classes or curriculum adoption. For new curriculum, a committee of district teachers, school board members, administrators, and parents review and study the materials and make a recommendation to the Board. This provides a balance in the work. We rely on our professionals who will be teaching and implementing the curriculum to make a sound recommendation after thorough consideration of possible curriculum. I think the process that is in place works well.

c.      State Statute 21-4-306 provides specific guidance on suspensions and expulsions. While it is always preferable to keep students in school, there are situations where suspensions or expulsions may be required.  The School Board currently approves expulsions and stipulated agreements. The district works diligently to provide supports and learning opportunities for students who are suspended or expelled. Keeping students engaged in school is critical. The ACES program in in place to continue a student’s educational opportunities and needed supports.  I am not aware of the discussions within the Education Committee.

Albany County School District #1: (At-Large: Four Year Term)

Thomas Mullan (no response)

Nate Martin (no response)

Hospital District Trustees:

Guy Warpness (no response)

Stephen C. Maguire:

I. Given this position is subject to election by the voters of Albany County, how well they are being served by the hospital must be my primary focus.  Continuing and maintaining the County’s ownership of the hospital facility   is something that I strongly support.

J. On my own, at least for information gathering purposes, I’d include a variety of subject-matter experts.  However, as the entire county community is the principal stakeholder, it is to them that I’m responsible.  Thus, I must ascertain to the best of my ability  that their medical needs are being met.

K. Not having previously been on the board, I cannot predict how it would act in such a case. And even if I had, the precise circumstances and magnitude of such a resurgence is presently unknown.  This would influence or determine the actions of our entire society, given we know a lot more now than we did in 2020.  Nevertheless,  the primary response to such an event remains within the Hospital management and medical staff arena.  Given their responses over the past 32 or so months, I have the utmost trust in their decisions. 

Terry P. Roark:

I. Approximately seven years ago the IMH Trustees formed a 501c3 non profit board of directors to set policies and work with management for the day to day operations of the Hospital. The elected Trustees own the Hospital and its attendant real estate. The Board of Directors reports, semi-annually, to the Trustees on the financial status of the Hospital as well measures of quality of care and patient safety. Should the Directors mismanage IMH and not correct the issue, the Board of Trustees may take back more direct oversight of the Hospital.

J. Inclusion in policy decisions is up to the Board of Directors, although each Trustee serves on at least one Board of Directors committee.

K. Neither the Board of Trustees nor the Board of Directors are primarily composed of medical professionals. Any medical decisions re COVID-19 would be made by our Hospital administration in consultation with our medical staff, Directors, Trustees and CDC guidelines.