SISTERS, OR -- Four candidates vying for two positions on the Sisters School Board debated hot topics in a virtual forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Deschutes County and City Club of Central Oregon.
When asked about the Parents Bill of Rights, recently passed by the U.S. House, Position Four incumbent Asa Sarver says it's unnecessary, "Saying parents have a right to a say in their children’s education, and parents already have a right to a say in their children’s education." His challenger Hilary Saunders has legal training and says, "It’s not very well written and I think it’s extremely over broad and doesn’t actually solve what people are hoping to solve for." Position three incumbent Jeff Smith says Sisters already offers access mandated in the bill, "Parents have access to teachers; parents have access to their teacher records, they can visit our schools. All of those things exist today." His challenger Karissa Bilderback agrees, "We have links directly, we have easy communication to the teachers who are teaching those lessons in the classroom, and just easy access and availability of our administrators and staff.
On changes needed in the district: Bilderback, a former teacher and Sisters High graduate, says she wants to see a bigger focus on negative student bahaviors, "More accountability and high expectations for those behaviors. And consequences that are followed through." Smith, who has served on the School Board more than a decade, says the district needs more funding, "I think our biggest concern at the moment is to pass the local option." Sarver was appointed to the board a year ago and agrees the levy needs to pass, "Once we have the funding, I would like to make sure we continue to have our special programs. I would like to make sure we’re taking care of teachers; housing is a big issue." Saunders, also a Sisters High graduate, says, "In addition, I would say that pre-school/early education is a major need." All four are parents - three have kids in the district and one has grandkids in Sisters schools.
The group was asked about history curriculum and all agree students should learn our country's complete history, including that of indigenous people and other minorities. Hilary Saunders said, "History does repeat itself, and we only grow as a society from learning from those who came before us. We only can innovate from seeing how other people have done things." Asa Sarver added, "We are a melting pot and everyone should have a right to know their history or anyone else’s history." Karissa Bilderback said, "I believe that it is important to be teaching the history, not only of our country but of what adversities different groups within our culture have experienced. Because, at the end of the day, that’s how we all learn about one another and connect with one another." And Jeff Smith told the group, "We have some warts our history and I think we ought to acknowledge those."
They were also asked about removing books from school libraries. All said books should not be banned, although parents should have the final say in what their individual child reads. To watch the entire virtual forum, click HERE.
The next League of Women Voters forum is April 25th, for Deschutes Public Library District candidates.
