Shaina's Q & A for her Board Appointment December 2, 2024

Q: Please share the reason(s) you would like to serve on the board and any additional information?

A: I am eager to serve on the board because, as the parent of a kindergartener, I am highly motivated to see swift, positive changes at the district level that will benefit her and all students. As a relatively new member of the school community, I bring a fresh perspective. Through my volunteer roles within the district, I’ve noticed areas where I can make a meaningful impact. My professional experience has equipped me with the skills to listen to stakeholders, enhance transparency, and ask the necessary questions to foster group consensus.

Q: What do you think will be the two most difficult issues facing the school district?

A: The primary issue facing the school district is a potential budget deficit. With unreliable revenue streams, no reserves, upcoming educator contract negotiations, and a significant PERS payment due, the district faces a serious challenge. As a member of the Budget Subcommittee in 2023 and Chair of the Board’s 2024 Budget Committee, I have been actively involved in addressing this issue over the past few years. While I don’t have a quick solution, I have demonstrated my ability to lead transparent, open conversations with stakeholders to keep making steady progress toward a sustainable solution.

The second issue facing the district is unity. I believe we all share the goal of prioritizing the best possible education for our children, yet divisions currently exist between in-district and out-of-district families, between the grade school and high school, and between the school and neighborhood communities. Rather than assuming the reasons for these divides or addressing them in isolation, I believe we should actively seek input from all these groups to discover how we can come together as one unified district community. By engaging directly with each community, we can work toward building unity around what truly matters: our kids’ education.

Q:How do you perceive a board member’s relationship with each of these with a variety of stakeholder

A: An effective board member fosters collaborative, transparent relationships with all key stakeholders to ensure accountability and positive outcomes for students.

With the Superintendent: The relationship should be built on trust, respect, and open communication. A board member works closely with the superintendent, providing oversight while supporting their leadership to help drive district goals forward.

With Staff: A board member respects and values the expertise of teachers and support staff, listening to their insights and advocating for their needs. Positive staff relationships build morale and encourage a supportive educational environment.

With Other Board Members: Board members must work as a cohesive team, united by a shared focus on student success. They build consensus through respectful dialogue and transparent decision-making, ensuring that all voices are heard.

With Parents: A board member prioritizes open, consistent communication with parents, listening to their concerns and keeping them informed. Engaging parents creates a partnership in supporting students’ educational success.

With the Community: A board member builds trust with the community through transparency, accessibility, and advocacy. They represent the community’s values and work to unify everyone around the common goal of enhancing the quality of education for all students.

An effective board member is approachable, listens actively, and is committed to creating a unified, transparent, and accountable school district that puts students first.

Q: What is your definition of equity in the school district, and what would could you do to improve

A: Primarily the district needs to create the groundwork to get the Equity Advisory Committee off the ground as soon as possible to be in alignment with the 2021 Senate Bill 732.

Equity in our school district means creating a learning environment where every student, regardless of their background, abilities, or socioeconomic status, has access to the support, resources, and opportunities they need to reach their full potential. Equity isn’t just about providing the same resources to all; it’s about recognizing individual needs and addressing specific barriers to success.

To improve equity in our district, I would focus on three key initiatives:

1. Culturally Inclusive Curriculum and Programs: Support programs that reflect and celebrate the diversity within our district. This means offering curriculum and extracurricular activities that engage students from all backgrounds, making them feel seen, valued, and motivated to succeed.

2. Community and Family Engagement: Actively involve parents and community members in decision-making processes, especially those from underserved communities, to better understand and address their unique needs.

3. Equity is a continual journey, ensuring the right staff is in place and having an environment where it’s safe to ask questions is also of vital importance.

By focusing on these areas, I would work to create a district where equity is at the heart of every decision, making sure that every student has a real opportunity to succeed.

Q: What are your qualifications for the position?

With a professional background in nonprofit management, I bring expertise in managing volunteer committees and nonprofit budgeting. I have successfully collaborated with cities and governments to update ordinances and develop new programs. Additionally, my recent experience on the customer side of government—specifically in construction and permitting—equips me to address the unique requirements facing the district following the Conditional Use application. Each of these experiences has strengthened my ability to drive collaborative efforts.

For the Riverdale School District, I served on the 2023 Budget Subcommittee and as the 2024 Chair of the Board’s Budget Committee, with one year remaining in my term. I am also an active member of the Food Service Parent Advisory Committee and have applied to join the RGS Site Council.

Q: Please list skills that you would bring to the board

A: I bring a strong set of skills to the board that are essential for effective leadership and positive outcomes in our district. My experience on the Budget Subcommittee and as Chair of the Board’s Budget Committee has proven my ability to approach issues with objectivity and a focus on facts, ensuring balanced and fair decisions. I am committed to listening to all stakeholders, synthesizing their input, and gathering relevant data to make well-informed decisions that reflect the needs of our entire community.

I value diverse perspectives and consistently evaluate ideas based on merit rather than personal bias. My background in managing volunteer committees has strengthened my ability to guide productive, forward-moving discussions and keep conversations focused on our shared goals. Above all, I bring a deep passion for our district’s success and the success of every student. My commitment is to work collaboratively to build a school environment that meets the needs of students, staff, and families, making our district stronger and more unified.

Shaina's 2 Minute Speech text

Two Minute Speech Dec. 2, 2024:

Ladies and gentlemen,

Thank you for being here today. My name is Shaina, and I’m running for the school board because I believe I can support the Boards goals to create a thriving, innovative educational system that prioritizes students and prepares them for success. I want to thank you for this opportunity and I also want to thank the other candidates for applying. I find it to be very promising that 5 people have applied for this position and I hope that no matter the outcome there will be just as much interest in June when more seats become available.

To begin, I want to share a little about myself so you can match my application to my face. I have a Kinder this year and a 3 year old who also plans to join his big sister at Rvierdale when he can. You may have seen me around the neighborhood in previous years, as I ran the neighborhood Playgroup 2022-2024. This year you may have seen me helping organize the PTC beginning of the year ice cream social or being a Room Parent in Mr. Streets Class. Although I am new to having a kid in the school, I was also on the Districts Budget Subcommittee in 2023 as a community member and last school year I was the Chair of the Districts Budget Committee in 2024.

Professionally I have worked in Nonprofit Management since 2008 and earned my Certified Associate Executive credential which is the marker of a professional who has demonstrated the wide range of knowledge essential to managing a nonprofit. From 2015-2020 I was the executive of an international nonprofit that brought volunteers from all over the western hemisphere to the table to discuss sustainability in commercial buildings. This nonprofit also managed an ANSI Consensus Body which follows strict Roberts Rules and requires consensus in order to create international Assessment Protocols. I wanted to share all of this experience because I don’t believe there is a better fit to step in to this position mid-way through a school year than me. I am extremely passionate and invested in making this district the best it can be.

I share my background primarily so that you can get to know me but also because I believe it shows instead of saying that I value diverse perspectives; I have been trained to evaluate ideas based on merit rather than personal bias. My background in managing volunteer committees and consensus bodies has strengthened my ability to guide productive, forward-moving discussions and keep conversations focused on our shared goals.

Above all, I bring a deep passion for our district’s success and the success of every student. My commitment is to work collaboratively to build a school environment that meets the needs of students, staff, and families, making our district stronger and more unified.

As a new parent and community member, I see how much potential our schools have, and I know we can take them to the next level. I also have seen the passion and dedication from you guys, the current Board, I hope only to support the endeavors you have started and hopefully bring a fresh perspective to them.

First, enhancing student experiences by working together. Collaboration is key. I’m committed to fostering strong partnerships between educators, parents, and community leaders to create enriching opportunities—whether it’s advanced academic programs, hands-on learning experiences, or arts and athletics. By working productively together, we can make school a place where every student feels inspired to learn and grow. As a Kinder parent, I bring new ideas to the table and as a previous career nonprofit executive I also have the skills to bring volunteers together.

Lastly, I am the best candidate for this role because I have over a decades worth of experience in consensus building. As a nonprofit executive I have managed several volunteer Boards, volunteer committees, and I myself have been managed by volunteer boards and committees. I am able to operate calmly in high stress situations and am very proficient at steering conversations back to the root of the discussion, which in this case, will always be what’s best for our students.