Meet your candidates - Lara Vanderhoof - Candidate for McPherson School Board

Candidates' responses have not been edited.

1. What is your background, and how will it help you to serve this district?

I have over 20 years of teaching and education administrative experience spanning ages from Pre-Kindergarten to the Masters level. I was employed for several years with USD418’s Early Childhood Program as the Assistant Director for Families and Community Services. As a social worker, I have provided mental health and child welfare services as well as served as a pro bono conflict mediator assisting youthful offenders as they take responsibility for their actions and provide interventions to support youth and their families with Offender Victim Ministries. I am an engaged community member serving with the United Way of McPherson County and serve on the ESSDACK board as well as have served on the USD418 Board of Education since 2022. I serve Scouting America as a committee member and the community as an antihuman trafficking advocate providing education, and training. These diverse background and service experiences keep me closely connected to the community and give me deep insight into the strengths, challenges, and needs within our schools. As an educator, I understand curriculum and assessment. As both an educator and a community leader, I am equipped to bridge the gap between the classrooms, our families, and our community. I stay up to date on policy changes locally, at the state level, and nationally through reading policy briefs and attending legislative meetings and KSDE board meetings.
 

2. Describe your qualifications and experience for this office and explain your reasons for running. How would you be an asset?
   I am qualified as an engaged member of our community. I have been involved with the USD418 community-as a parent of both a current and former students and as a dedicated school board member. I am now completing my first term on the School Board, which has provided me with additional insight and understanding for how the district operates and all the details that are needed to manage a school district. I am running again for school board as I believe that there are still many aspects that we need to continue to address such as continued curriculum monitoring, strengthening student academic achievement, supporting and retaining our excellent staff, and making sound fiscal decisions. I believe that I am an asset as I bring experience as an insider (former USD418 employee) and current school board member while serving our community with other organizations to strengthen the overall structure and needs of our community. As a college professor, I understand the importance of preparing students for a life of learning and service. My personal background informs me that all students need support in whatever their pathway may be after high school. I enjoy policy development and engagement with advocacy efforts to support the needs of those who do not feel empowered.
   
3. What are the priority issues facing our community, and how would you address them if elected?
   Bullying and Safe Environments: Addressing bullying must be proactive and immediate. It is imperative that a multi-faceted approach is adopted district wide. I believe that with parents’ support and youths’ input along with our educators’ insight we can develop an environment that is focused on engaged communication, and active learning which can reduce the negative, harmful behaviors and encourage more positive in-person interactions. As many community members are engaged in the book study, The Anxious Generation, I believe best practices will emerge around the use of technology inside and outside of education. Student Achievement: Continue to understand the reasons why students underperform and develop the necessary interventions to support students across the learning continuum. The need for summer school needs to be reviewed from a student achievement perspective to determine how this intervention can close the gap. Facilities and Maintenance: Currently, the buildings are being evaluated, and the community is weighing in on how to structure the facilities moving forward. I am eager to learn, alongside our community, what our district needs will look like in the future. As for the maintenance of the buildings, this must continue to be structured with regular scheduled repairs and upgrades to ensure that the buildings are functioning at the highest standard possible. Teachers/Staff and Teacher/Staff Retention: It is imperative we continue to strengthen the compensation and provide incentives for teachers and staff who have longevity. The ability to retain staff benefits our students and our community.
   
4. What are the most important challenges facing our community, and how do you propose to address them?
   Building Trust-Rebuilding trust is crucial within our district. I propose continued community meetings and creating a community council that meets monthly to offer input, solutions, and perspective to the various issues, needs, and topics that the board of education faces. Facilities: As the buildings age, there are needs such as secure entrances, ensuring efficiency of space, and continued prioritization of preventative maintenance measures. Enrollment: the decline in enrollment needs to be addressed from an industry and local government level, while also meeting with other stakeholders such as home-schooling parents, and those attending virtual and out-of-district schools.
   
5. Describe your commitment to public education
   I am very committed to public education, while I recognize that guardians have a choice in where they have their children receive an education. Our children have all gone through or are attending USD418. The fact that I am running for USD 418 School Board of Education again for the third time shows my level of interest and commitment. I am dedicated to high standards, support for all students, and meaningful collaboration with staff, families, and community members.
   
6. A district is only effective if it serves all constituents. What specific steps would you take to ensure that from all walks of life benefit from equity, access, an inclusive opportunity?
   I advocate for policies, procedures, and practice that support equal access to every student—regardless of their background, ability, or situation. This advocacy includes ongoing evaluation of the district’s services and resources to continue to build strong family-school partnerships and empowering all stakeholders’ voices in the process.
   
7. How will YOU ensure all students are “welcomed” in your district?
   One active step that I personally have taken and continue to take is to walk through each building to observe our staff and students as this offers one vantage point to gain insight. I regularly talk with parents and other community members who have questions and concerns and follow up with each inquiry to ensure there are answers. I volunteer weekly in the High School which provides another avenue to personally welcome and build relationships directly with students and staff.
   
8. Specifically, how should “school safety” be enhanced or improved in your school district?
   The buildings need secure entrances. At this point, only Washington Elementary and Lincoln Elementary Schools have secure entrances, which means those entering these two buildings cannot go anywhere in the building except for the main office. In addition to security, fostering a positive school culture is paramount to addressing bullying through restorative practices. Furthermore, increasing restorative practices to assist students in taking responsibility for their actions while teaching and modeling pro-social behaviors from PreK through 12th grade will provide evidenced-based, long-term intervention that strengthens the climate and culture throughout the district and community.
   
9. There is great national concern regarding the status of the teaching profession and whether there are adequate numbers of highly qualified teachers to fill current teaching positions. How will you work with district leadership to ensure vacancies are filled with highly qualified staff, new teachers attracted, and senior staff supported?
   I will continue to advocate for competitive wages, continue to support robust support and mentoring for new teachers while recognizing staff with experience to ensure we have the most excellent team for our students and community. I am committed to collaborating with our district leadership and staff to attract, develop, and retain quality professionals. In addition, I offer my support and linkage between USD418 and area colleges for the hiring of para-educators as well as teachers.
   
10. If you are elected (or re-elected) how should constituents measure your performance at the end of your term? What would you need to do to earn an “A” (excellent) grade? Identify specific benchmarks. If you are currently serving on the school board, how would you grade your present leadership?
    The constituents should measure my performance by reviewing my engagement and accountability with how the strategic plan is being executed as this is the “roadmap” that the community, district, and board agreed upon to provide direction for the district. In addition, stakeholders should note the participation and attendance at board meetings and other related activities, which highlight my commitment and level of engagement to the role as a board member. To earn an “A” I would need to be prepared for meetings, ask questions before, during, and after board meetings, attend board meetings and assigned committee meetings, respond to all stakeholders’ questions, engage with, and regularly connect with the community. As a current board member, I would grade myself with an A- today as I am proud of my dedication and commitment but always strive to engage with more stakeholders in our district. I have rarely missed a board meeting and have not missed committee meetings. I have regularly been in all of our school buildings to observe firsthand the conditions, the teaching and learning, and use my own barometer of the climate/interactions in the buildings. During my time on the school board, we have achieved an aligned curriculum, updated the strategic plan with many stakeholders engaged in the process, developed and instituted a 360 degree superintendent evaluation process, held a board retreat, increased benefits last year for the classified and certified staff, and approved the Parents in Partnership Program at the Middle and High Schools to mention a few items.
11. Transparency is critical in order to develop trust, improve community engagement and ensure support for public education. How will you ensure the district is transparent with the community? What are the strengths of the district, and what do you see as its biggest challenges?
    Transparency is required and non-negotiable. I fully support the broadcasting and recording of board meetings and I am open to expanding the board meetings through other platforms. I will continue to examine ways to add additional mechanisms for all stakeholders to access information regarding the district. The strengths of our district are the people. We have excellent educators, coaches, and staff. We have great support from our community through individuals who donate their time, resources, and financial support. We have a great many opportunities for our students to volunteer and gain real-life experience through field trips and internships. The extra-curricular opportunities are rich at USD418 from the fine arts to athletics, to forensics and debate as well as the multitude of clubs and student leadership opportunities. Having an aligned curriculum provides the foundation to grow and develop our students to be prepared for their future. The biggest challenges would be community trust, declining enrollment, and facility needs, but by coming together, I know we can address each need.
    
12. How can the board be more accessible to the entire community?
    An idea could be for board members to offer office hours to take phone calls or have set times for meetings with individuals and groups. Each board member has a district email which is available as way to connect with board members.
    
13. An individual school board member has no authority; decisions can only be made by the Board as a whole. What skills or traits will help you contribute to its functioning?
    I contribute to the board through effective communication and active listening to all perspectives. I come prepared to board meetings by reviewing and researching the board material to be able to ask questions and make decisions.
14. School issues have become fiercely divisive. Can the school board do anything to lessen the rifts in the school district?
    I think the board can continue to build trust and relationships with all stakeholders through listening to all perspectives, seeking common understanding, and continuing to build relationships. The board can facilitate unity and a renewed sense of trust and shared vision.
    
15. Do you believe charter schools strengthen or weaken public school districts? (and why)
    I do believe that guardians have to make the decision about where to send their child(ren) for their education. A charter school can take from the pool of qualified staff as well as students which in the end can detract from a public school’s effectiveness. My overarching goal is to have a strong educational system that draws people to the district for employment and their child’s education.
16. Anything else our readers should know? I am grateful for the trust placed in me and the opportunity to serve you, our district, our students, our staff, and community. I am fully invested in continuing to strengthen our district and community, and the needs of every student and family in the district. I respectfully ask for your vote this November. Together, we can continue to achieve excellence for our district and community. Your Voice, Your Vote! Vote for Vanderhoof for School Board of Education