Hays USD 489 school board candidate: Jessica Ann Berg Moffitt

Age: 29

Education: Bachelor of Science in Public Health, emphasis: physical activity and exercise, certified health education specialist (est. 2016)

Do you have a student currently attending USD 489 schools? Not yet. Class of 2038, here we come!

Qualifications?

Evaluation of socioeconomics snd demographics of a region, needs assessments, grant writing, and program writing and evaluation. Educator, (soon-to-be) parent, community member.

Do you support USD 489 trying for another bond issue?

Absolutely. If there is something that needs to be fixed, and we cannot do so within the current budget, then we must find the funding elsewhere, so that solutions can result, and we can continue to succeed.

What do you think that bond should include?

There are a multitude of answers for this question, depending on whom you ask. I find myself in a unique position to say that I have not attended public school in Hays, so I am entering with a fresh eye. I hear my community members mention concerns of nutrition, technology, building maintenance, and safety—but ultimately—it is up to the community to decide what the priority is or may be, and for us as board members to execute appropriately.

Scientific research states that a student must be an ideal state of mind, body, and spirit for the best form of retention of knowledge. Furthermore, a teacher must also be in this ideal state to be able to best facilitate said knowledge. Therefore, conditions such as classroom size, safety, thermoregulation, properly maintained furniture, etc., must all be of the highest priority, as well as access to quality nutrition, proper physical and mental breaks, and guarantees of safety at the building entrances.

My vision is for all of this to be possible, regardless of what facility surrounds the students and teachers. I will vote time and time again in favor of a bond that supports the success of our teachers and students—however, we must find a value for that bond that accurately represents the value for improvement set by the community. If we are wanting success of the bond at the values we have chosen in the past, we must convince our community that the value of improvement matches.

What would you do to secure the financial health of the school district?

Define financial health. What does it look like? Is it a school district that is self-funded from grants and scholarships? Or a school district supported solely by the state tax dollars allocated? Or perhaps it’s more than that. Perhaps the financial health comes from the value that is produced, regardless of the cost. There is a happy medium in all situations of finding balance between spending for an outcome, and the value of that outcome. To me, financial health is finding this balance between these two figures.

The Hays school board is at impasse with its teachers for the second year in a row. What would you do to improve relations with teachers?

We must respect and value the work that our teachers put in daily. This means verbally and financially thankful for their efforts. I have been in their shoes—where financial allocations did not go as planned. Rightfully so, it leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of individuals when they feel a lack of respect and gratitude. This must be the first step to finding a better solution—a reset, a fresh start. If the funds truly do not exist, then the gratitude must be given elsewhere—there’s no excuse for a lack of gratitude or respect.

Do you support the district’s current one-to-one technology policy? If not, what would you propose?

1-to-1 technology was intended to help increase student success through availability of books and other resources. If our school district is in a position where we are lacking fundamental resources for our students, that is impeding their ability to grow and learn, then there is a profound need and a valuable place for a 1-to-1 program. It is serving as a resource vital for student success. Should there be areas for improvement in the program (more than just a “keeping up with the Jones” need), we can collectively approach these as a community.

How would you support the district in its work to improve student performance?

Everything we do as a school district, as members and representatives of the board of education and USD 489, and as a member of our community, should be to help improve student performance. It is not one sole action—but rather—the success or failure of all actions combined. We must address the smaller pieces of the puzzle in order to paint the larger picture. As promised again and again, I wish to hear the voices of our entire community—parents, teachers, students, community members—and to find solutions that remove roadblocks to the success of our students, and ultimately will help improve student performance.

Is there anything else you would like to add about you or your campaign?

While the majority of my decisions and views come from scientific research and community needs assessments, I hope that serving will allow me to be a part of growth within our community that will come from the success of the Board. Success that will be determined by the success of our students, their desire to stay in our community even after they graduate, and the desire for travelers to see us as a place for setting roots, raising a family, and building a legacy of their own. The possibilities are endless, and I look forward to contributing to their outcomes.