2021 Election: Mat-Su School Board

There are four candidates running for two seats on the MSBSD School Board. District 1 covers the Butte and Sutton, as well as the Farm Loop area in Palmer and is currently represented by School Board Vice President Tom Bergey, who is running for reelection. Running against Bergey is Lori Berrigan. District 4 covers Wasilla city limits and is currently represented by Sarah Welton, who is not seeking reelection. Running for the School Board in District 4 is Jubilee Underwood and Jennifer Walther.

The Frontiersman invited candidates to participate in a questionnaire.

DISTRICT 1

Tom Bergey

1 — What do you feel is the most important issue facing Mat-Su Borough School District Schools?

I believe the most important issue facing the Mat-Su School District is student achievement. Being a slightly above average district in one of the lowest performing states is not acceptable. We owe more to our students, parents, and taxpayers than just average performance. A superintendent has been hired who took an average performing district and moved it to one of the top performing. Graduation requirements are being increased over the next 4 years. Students graduating from the Mat-Su School District will have vocational training and the ability to pursue post secondary education without needing to burden families with costly remedial courses. Graduation is not an end but a beginning of the rest of the student’s life and hopefully the path we are moving to will ensure continued student success.

2 — What additional COVID-19 mitigation measures would you support within Valley schools, if any?

I am not in favor of any additional COVID-19 measures being instituted in Valley schools. Students need to be in the classroom with their teacher for optimal student learning. Mat-Su is a district of choice. Parents have the ability to choose the educational environment, which they feel best, suits their family needs.

3 — If elected, how would you work to support MSBSD teachers?

As a School Board member, I will ensure that the resources are made available to support student achievement.

4 — What curriculum changes do you feel are needed within Valley schools, if any?

Curriculum needs to reflect the goals that are trying to be achieved. I am focused on increasing student achievement thus any changes that are brought forth by the administration need to support this goal. Much of the curricula mentioned in different media sources does not have a primary student achievement focus, thus they do not align with the direction of increasing student achievement.

5 — Why did you decide to run for MSBSD School Board and why do you feel Valley residents should vote for you?

As a father of 6 children it was not acceptable that the Mat-Su was just average in one of the lowest states in the union. I felt I could make a difference. As Board President I gave one directive to the superintendent that Mat-Su schools would be open unless closed by a higher authority and we were the largest school district on the west coast to be open the entire year. Some of the strongest parental right’s policies have been enacted so parents have the right to choose what’s best for their children. I am seeking another term to continue to increase student achievement, strengthen parental rights, and to ensure the Mat-Su school district is the highest academically performing district in the state. Our students, parents, and taxpayers deserve nothing less.

Lori Berrigan

1 — What do you feel is the most important issue facing Mat-Su Borough School District Schools?

The biggest issue facing the MSBSD is growth. The MSB is the fastest growing area in Alaska. Increased population will increase the number of students in the MSBSD schools. We will need additional teachers, support staff, and possibly new schools to keep classroom sizes small. New schools can include new traditional schools, distance learning/homeschool programs, or charter schools.

2 — What additional COVID-19 mitigation measures would you support within Valley schools, if any?

Covid-19 mitigation is an operational issue and should be handled by our Superintendent and his team. It is always the goal of the MSBSD to keep students safe and healthy while keeping students in class and schools open. The Superintendent should have all tools available to him in order to meet these goals.

3 — If elected, how would you work to support MSBSD teachers?

Teachers, along with support staff, are our greatest asset in the MSBSD. The MSBSD and School Board must recognize that in order to recruit and retain qualified teachers, we must have competitive salaries and benefits packages. It should also be recognized that teachers and students are more successful when class sizes are manageable. To support teachers, I would work to plan for growth in the MSB and vote to offer competitive salaries and benefits for the teachers.

4 — What curriculum changes do you feel are needed within Valley schools, if any?

I do not believe we need to shift our curriculum in the MSBSD at this time. We are a district of choice and parents have multiple avenues to find the curriculum that is best for their child.

Parents can choose between traditional schools, charter schools, and homeschooling. Curriculum decisions in traditional schools are made through the Curriculum Review & Materials Adoption Process. Charter schools are schools of choice and have the freedom to choose and implement their own curriculum as long as State Standards are met. Parents who choose to homeschool are able to choose curriculum that is best for their child.

5 — Why did you decide to run for MSBSD School Board and why do you feel Valley residents should vote for you?

With my background and knowledge of our School District and School Board Policy, I will provide the leadership needed to serve District 1 on the School Board. Day-to-day operations of the district should be left to the Superintendent. The work of the board is to create a long-term vision and work with the MSBSD Superintendent to find solutions and resources to support that vision. MSBSD has tremendous teachers and staff working who need support. Harmony needs to be returned to the district through leadership. Education takes place in the classroom and the Board’s efforts must focus on enhancing and enriching what goes on in each classroom in the district.

DISTRICT 4

Jennifer Walther

1 — What do you feel is the most important issue facing Mat-Su Borough School District Schools?

Education is the most important issue facing the MatSu School District. I think our school district needs to address our test scores and our student performance in general. After 2 years of disrupted education, our students need programs that will address possible learning loss that may have occurred. Our students need to be prepared for their futures.

2 — What additional COVID-19 mitigation measures would you support within Valley schools, if any?

I feel our valley schools have done an excellent job keeping our schools open during the Covid-19 pandemic. This has been a difficult time for every community and no mitigation plan will likely please all parties. However, we all agree that in-person school is best and I appreciate the work of our educators to make sure that our students have the choice to attend in-person school.

3 — If elected, how would you work to support MSBSD teachers?

Teachers are the core of our education system. Without good teachers our system suffers, which in turn affects our students and families. We need to improve communication with our teachers and value the expertise and experience of these professionals.

4 — What curriculum changes do you feel are needed within Valley schools, if any?

Curriculums should be constantly monitored and updated as needed. Our district has systems for reviewing our curriculums and we need to use these systems more effectively. Our curriculums should match the needs of our community.

5 — Why did you decide to run for MSBSD School Board and why do you feel Valley residents should vote for you?

I am running for school board because I am concerned about the functionality of our school district. I have watched this district grow and change positively over the past 20 years and am proud of what this district has grown into and where it is going. The strained relationships that have developed the past few years puts this progress in jeopardy and will ultimately halt our ability to grow and improve. The students of this district deserve to have visionary leaders rather than reactionary leaders. Excellence in education takes a team effort and begins with the leaders of our school district.

Jubilee Underwood

Hello everyone! My name is Jubilee Underwood and I am a lifelong Mat-Su Valley Resident! You can find me and my family on a bleacher the majority of the year, cheering on my Varsity kids at multiple sporting events!

I am a strong advocate for parents being empowered with the freedom to make the best educational and health choices for their own children. My goal is that all Mat-Su schools continue to partner with those same choices.

I will fight to keep schools open and in-person! I believe schools should focus on continuing to improve educational outcomes that give Mat-Su children the greatest opportunities for lifelong success.

Finally, I am AGAINST Mask Mandates for students! If you’d like to learn more about me, please visit www.jubileeunderwoodforschoolboard.com or visit my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/alaskansforjubileeunderwood

The Mat-Su Borough will hold regular elections for three Assembly seats, two Mat-Su Borough School District seats and the office of Borough Mayor on November 2. Additionally, voters will have the opportunity to approve or deny Proposition 1, a road bond package of $61,135,000 with 20 separate road projects. Early and absentee in-person voting will begin on Monday, October 18 and continue through Monday, November 1 prior to the November 2 election day. Voters can cast early or absentee in-person ballots at the Division of Elections Office at 1700 East Bogard Road in Wasilla or at the Mat-Su Borough Dorothy Swanda Jones building on 350 East Dahlia Avenue in Palmer from 8:00 a.m., until 5:00 p.m. Mat-Su Borough residents can find more information on polling locations, candidates, and the bond package at https://www.matsugov.us/elections.