Q&A: Othello School Board pos. 1

OTHELLO — Incumbent Kelli Camp is facing Aaron Gerber for Othello School Board Director Position 1.

The Columbia Basin Herald asked each candidate the questions below with matching word count restrictions and a deadline to submit responses. Gerber did not respond by the deadline. The newspaper encourages voters to contact the candidates if they want to discuss issues in more depth.

Do you plan on helping change any specific curriculum or policies while on the Othello School Board?

Camp: As a school board member, I would like to integrate curriculum review and enhancement into ongoing district strategic planning to align it with district educational goals. This would require input from all stakeholders including parents, educators, administration and community representatives, and could be used to identify areas for improvement and ensure alignment with current educational standards that continuously evolve. It is important for administration to invest in teacher development and active inclusion of feedback, accountability and innovative teaching methods or technology for our educators to develop or strengthen their professional capabilities. I would support feedback processes to monitor student outcomes related to any curriculum adjustments. This would ensure a dynamic, inclusive and innovative K-12 curriculum that would reflect and advance the needs of our students and community. Regular assessments of any curriculum change are crucial to impact student outcomes. This allows educators to assess effectiveness and tailor teaching strategies to areas that need improvement. An ongoing assessment process ensures a curriculum that is relevant, engaging, and in continued alignment with educational goals. District policies and procedures have undergone extensive revisions over this past year through the extensive assistance and support of the Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA). 

How do you think the Othello School District is doing financially, and are there any economic or financial improvements you’d like to see as a board member?

Camp: When a district faces financial challenges due to decreased enrollment, it is important as a board member to pay attention and promote proactive steps to make economic and financial adjustments. This requires engaging with all stakeholders including educators, administration, parents, students, community members and union representatives. Partnership can identify areas for cost reduction without compromising educational quality. Our district has excelled in our annual audits, particularly in the past few years. Future priorities include preserving essential programs and consolidating resources to maximize efficiency across the entire district system. Advocacy with state and federal officials is fundamental to ensure funding for schools increases at a rate comparable to rates of inflation. This currently is an issue, especially with federal grant funding, and something I have brought to our state and federal legislators during my time on the board. The district will require an active process of evaluating expenses to identify discretionary areas of possible savings that do not sacrifice student well-being. Strategic planning and community engagement can be used to consider innovative solutions or collaborate with neighboring districts to optimize resources and explore alternative revenue streams such as offering community education or promoting facility rental.

Do you plan on making any changes to the way the mental health of Othello students is addressed?

Camp: The process of destigmatizing and normalizing mental health services for K-12 students will require bringing new approaches and comprehensive plans. As an advanced practice nurse, I will use my 26 years of healthcare expertise to continue to bring ideas to the district for unique ways of engaging students, peer groups and mental health professionals, assessing current programs and implementing innovative approaches. I will promote the integration of mental health education seamlessly into the curriculum to foster emotional intelligence and resilience. Educators and staff can be empowered to recognize signs of distress by encouraging and promoting training programs to improve recognition of signs of distress and create supportive classroom environments. We need to emphasize that seeking mental health is a sign of strength and not of weakness. I have included mental health issues and strategic needs with the educational legislative aides for Senator Maria Cantwell and Congressman Dan Newhouse. New ideas are required and may include community partnerships, online resources, or mental health apps. I will continue to advocate for a culture where students feel an enhanced sense of belonging, mental health is prioritized, stigma is dismantled and every student is empowered to seek and receive the support they need.

How can the public contact you?

Camp: Contact information can be found at kellicampforschoolboard.com.