The Sun endorses School Board candidates

Few elections can claim several qualified candidates running for a limited number of positions. The Jamestown Public School Board has this problem — but the problem is a good one for the district.

Voters will elect four candidates for the Jamestown Public School Board June 10 to serve for four years. Three of the positions are city seats and one is rural.

The Jamestown Sun endorses Ken Astrup, Gail Martin and Scott Walch for the city seats and Gary Peterson for the rural seat of the Jamestown Public School Board:

* Ken Astrup is not only a member of the Jamestown Public School Board but he is also the vice president of the North Dakota School Boards Association and National School Boards Association Nominating Committee, demonstrating his knowledge of issues affecting education at both the state and local level. His experience makes him one of the best candidates for the board.

* Gail Martin: After years of declining enrollment and managing a deficit budget, the board is finally operating in the black. This is in part because of Martin’s consistent effort to be financially responsible, and her expertise in finances stem from her experience as market president of US Bank. At nearly every meeting, Martin seeks to provide the best education for students in the most efficient and economical ways.

* Gary Peterson’s role as a captain in the Jamestown Police Department provides a different perspective to the board. He advocates for student safety and fairness for both students and JPS employees. He also supports early retirement, increasing pay for teachers while remaining fiscally conscious.

* Scott Walch is running for the School Board for the first time. Walch has indicated support for keeping Washington Elementary School open, supports the mill levy reduction proposed by Gov. John Hoeven as well as early retirement for teachers.

Incumbent Rosemary McDougall has a genuine and dedicated interest in the well-being of Jamestown students. She is a sincere and caring leader. Challengers Theresa Haag and Brenda Roemmich, both city, and Deb Hattlewick, rural, are also quality candidates. However, we feel the experience and diversity of Astrup, Martin, Peterson and Walch will best serve the students and our district.

(Editorials are the opinion of Jamestown Sun management and the newspaper’s editorial board)

Tags: politics, election, school, board, endorsement