As the Tuesday April 4 election approaches, WSPY reached out to local school board candidates for their perspectives on key issues and why they believe they are the best choice for voters. In a series of interviews, candidates shared their visions and priorities for the future of education in the community. Here's what they had to say.
My Name:
Angela Hysjulien
School District:
Sandwich
Describe yourself and why you are running for the board of education.
First of all, my last name rhymes with “Michelin” (as in tires). No one has ever pronounced it correctly unless they grew up with me in northwestern North Dakota! School has always been an important part of my life. I have a BS in Business Education from Minot State College and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from North Central College. Sandwich has been my home since 2003. I’m a happy wife, proud mom of four amazing young adults, beaming grandma, recently retired high school business teacher and lifelong learner. For more than 20 years, I had the privilege of working alongside amazing students and teachers. I’m running for a seat on the Sandwich #430 School Board because I care about kids and our community.
What is the top issue facing the district and how would you address it?
The top issues facing our district vary depending upon who you talk to: mental health, budget constraints, and hiring/retaining qualified staff are a few areas that come to mind. As a member of the board, I will listen, learn, and continue to advocate for students, families, staff, and administration. I’ve seen a lot of positive presentations at recent board meetings and support the curriculum improvements that are being implemented. Obviously, test scores are not the only measure of student success. Critical thinking skills and the ability to discern between facts and fiction in our real and digital world are crucial life skills. Preparing students for the “real world” looks different for every family. Schools are tasked with a tremendous amount of responsibilities and there is not a one-size fits all solution. Open lines of communication and focusing on what’s best for students is how I will address issues.
Are you in favor of banning books from school libraries that you may personally disagree with? Why or why not?
I love reading and I do not favor banning books. If a parent doesn’t want their child to read a certain book then that is up to that parent to decide for themselves, not me. I will absolutely listen to parent concerns but I think there are more creative solutions to solve problems than an outright ban on a book. Why? Because I support the First Amendment and also because every book I’ve read regarding banning books has never had a very good beginning, middle or end–for anyone.
What can school districts to do to reduce the burden on taxpayers?
School districts must be fiscally responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. I look forward to digging into the numbers and working with the rest of the board and administration and promise to treat our district budget with the same respect that I do my own budget. I have a lot to learn but I think my background as a high school accounting teacher will give me a solid foundation in understanding school finances.
What should be done to improve school safety?
Have you ever participated in an active shooter drill? Have you ever been in a school lockdown? Those are the situations that I don’t miss in retirement. We must trust that every safety precaution is in place, just in case. And we practice and review these drills, just in case. I try not to “worry" when my son goes to school because I have to believe that there are more good people than bad. And I entrust my child to professionals who are trained to recognize and report safety concerns to the proper authorities.
Is there anything else that voters should know about you?
My first teaching job was at Sandwich High School - S/O to the Class of 2000 and 2001. I met some really wonderful people but left after receiving a job offer at my older kids school district. Running for school board in Sandwich feels like I’ve come full circle and I appreciate your consideration for this position!