Election 2023: Candidates on the ballot for two school board seats

Candidates for two local districts on the Mat-Su School Board had the opportunity to submit answers to the Frontiersman candidate questionnaires as part of our 2023 election coverage.

Election Day is Nov. 7. Early and absentee voting is now open. See matsugov.us for more.

District 3

Kathy McCollum

My name is Kathy McCollum and I’m running for re-election to the Mat-Su Borough School Board. I have lived and worked in the valley for 34 years and care about the children and families of our community. For 31 years, I was a classroom teacher mostly teaching first grade at Cottonwood Creek Elementary. I worked hard to ensure my students’ academic success and will continue to advocate for the families, students, and teachers of the Mat- Su Borough.

Academic Excellence: I strongly believe that students need a solid foundation in all basic skills to become successful, contributing members of our community. The Alaska Reads Act will be an integral part of creating that success for beginning readers and I want to ensure an effective implementation and accountability to the new law. We need to get back to the focus on increasing academic success in Reading, Writing, Math, History, and Science to give students the skills they need in life.

Fiscal Responsibility: With about 70% of borough taxes supporting schools, it is critical that we use taxpayer’s money efficiently and wisely. We need to get down to the business of educating students, supporting good teachers, and building policies that best serve the community we live in. A fiscally responsible budget and priorities should be developed to serve the district’s educational goals, not to serve special interests or social agendas. In the past year, I have worked closely with the borough to lower property taxes and build schools debt free.

Parental Rights: Parents are their child’s first teacher and should retain rights in the process of education. Transparency in curriculum is crucial and families need to be the ones to make decisions for their children in all areas, including health, sexual education, and family values. Parents should feel welcome to be a fundamental part of the entire educational experience. While serving on the board, I have been a part of passing several new policy changes to specifically increase parents’ rights.

Please vote Kathy McCollum for Mat-Su School Board, District 3 to keep traditional family values and improve our educational outcomes.

Sydney Zuyus

Profession: I work as a marketing strategy expert, collaborating with brands and agencies from around the world. My role involves understanding the nuances of various industries and channels to determine how best to connect with consumers.

Being in the field of marketing strategy also means I'm accustomed to analyzing data, measuring results, and continuously adapting strategies for better outcomes. This approach is something I'm eager to bring to the school board. We need evidence-based decision-making, transparency in our actions, and a willingness to pivot when necessary for the benefit of our students. It helps me build bridges and repair relationships— bringing humanity back to these issues that are so easily reduced to sound-bytes and headlines.

Time in the borough: I have grown up in the borough since I was in the third grade, so it’s coming up on about 17 years now. I went to Finger Lake Elementary, Colony Middle, and graduated from Colony High School— my roots run deep here in the valley.

Experience in politics and public service: I want to start by saying that I am not a politician, and I firmly believe that is one of my strengths. Too often, politics becomes a game of power and control, but that's not what drives me. My desire, my motivation, has always been to be there for those who need it, to give back to the community that has given me so much, and to serve in a capacity that allows for positive change.

My background is rooted in service, not in seeking power. I have always been guided by the principle of putting others before myself, a value instilled in me from a young age and reinforced by my deep faith. My faith not only grounds me, but it constantly reminds me of the importance of serving others and making a difference in the world around me.

I've had the privilege to work with several nonprofit and not-for-profit organizations over the years. Through these experiences, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges many face and the gaps that exist in our system. These experiences have given me unique insights and have fueled my passion for ensuring that every child in our community has access to a quality education, an environment where they can thrive and reach their fullest potential.

District 6

Ole Larson

Profession and history: Retired as the superintendent Mat-Su Pretrial Facility in Palmer after 29 years with the Alaska Department of Corrections. Lived in the Mat-Su Borough for 44 years and Alaska for 48 years. Political experience includes MEA board 90-93, MSBSD 15 years (present), and Alaska Board of Parole 12 years (present).

If re-elected: MSBSB has one of the most transparent school boards in the state and has been for years. As a school board member, over my tenure, we have posted the online the budget, all budget revisions, the school districts policies, strategic plans, school board agenda, Board Doc (weekly information from administrative departments), first and second read on action items and much more. An example of transparency is the action item goes to a first read when that item is presented by the superintendent. The non-action item first read is the discussion period at the first school board meeting. The action item then moves to the next school board meeting for a vote. The first-read discussion entails any questions or concerns and any questions needing further research. Once researched and answered it is placed in the next two Tuesday Board Doc online prior to that item coming in front of the board. The time between the first and second read also gives the community, parents, and students the opportunity to send in emails and or prepare for public testimony for those action items. When the action item is presented at the second meeting most of all the questions, concerns, and reasonings for the vote have been clearly stated over that two-week period. My goal is to continue the open transparency by enhancing the already existing policies that involve parental involvement, parental rights community involvement, and posted information.

The MSBSB is a service organization funded by the taxpayer and is held accountable by the community it serves. We are developing extensive career tech, academic achievement, and workplace readiness for all students. One goal to accomplish these tasks is reaching out to the trades to work hand in hand in developing certification curriculum and extending career tech certifications.

The Mat-Su Borough School Board and school district are heading in an exciting direction in educating all students in the Mat-Su Borough. I am looking forward to a positive direction for a diverse and transparent education system that will enable the school district to service all students.

Dianne Shibe

I want to restore adherence to the public process and allow for a variety of voices. I want to establish trust between the board and the employees and community.

I will increase transparency and accountability by sharing my reasons for voting. Last June with one vote, the Board passed a block of 9 diverse policies. When the Policy Committee was asked to report before voting, the answer was simply that they had thoroughly discussed the changes in committee. That response lacks transparency. The public does not have access to those committees. There was no valid reason to pass them as one block without discussing each one.

I will give explanations rather than hide behind vague language. When asked about the changes that affect all libraries, the committee’s response was, “We were cleaning up the language.” They need to explain why it was imperative that they deleted existing language that libraries were to be “safe spaces” for students.

They need to explain why counselors now can only discuss “academics” with students and can no longer help navigate the trials and tribulations of being kids.

I will encourage a diversity of voices including dissenting ones. Recently, they removed the Student Representative from the panel. A student has been on the panel since 1979. Amazingly, they removed him 3 weeks BEFORE they voted on the policy change. Not one member who voted to remove him explained their vote.

The students who protested the removal were then interrogated under the auspices of the Board without representation or parental consent. The students are taking this all the way to the legislature!

I will endeavor to improve employee morale. Because the employees work directly with students, it is essential their morale is promoted. Not only will it make them more effective, but also it will enhance the Board’s ability to achieve their goals since these are the very people who carry them out.

I want employees to know they are heard, valued, and respected.

Recently, 93% of certificated employees voted “no confidence” in the board. We must stabilize employee relations. This contention is not good for the classroom. I will employ the trust I have developed with educators through being a classroom teacher and the former president of MSEA.

Also, more vocational education is necessary. We have some excellent programs, but we need more since about 60 percent of the population goes from school to work.

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