Thompson Falls school board Q&A
Chris Gross
1. Why are you seeking a position on the school board?
I’m a great fan of public education. This is my way of giving back.
2. What makes you an ideal candidate for this position? What experience do you have that is pertinent to this role?
I have 12 years of experience on the board. With the many transitions going on and the many changes that will be coming, it will really help to be able to solve any issues coming up.
3. What do you plan to bring to the school board? What changes do you see are necessary?
My sense of humor, common sense and I can read tarot cards pretty well. The way we fund education is not adequate.
4. Give a brief overview of your education, employment, family history, etc.
I’ve lived in Thompson Falls for almost 40 years. I’m married and have two semi-beautiful children. I’ve worked in the construcion trades, saw mills, heavy equipment operator, truck driver, etc. I graduated in 1968 and spent two years at O.S.P studying criminology. Semi-retired and working at the Mother Lode - life is good.
5. How do you differ from your opponents?
I think outside the box and I work with fellow board members to solve problems.
Jeff Lundberg
1. Why are you seeking a position on the school board?
To make sure the voice of the community is heard, and to make sure the goals of Thompson Falls Schools and the community are shared.
2. What makes you an ideal candidate for this position? What experience do you have that is pertinent to this role?
-I am a professionally trained educator
--I have 17 years of teaching experience in the Thompson Falls School System.
---I have two children currently attending Thompson Falls Schools (6th and 9th grade)
----I am familiar with the needs of Thompson Falls Schools
-----Resident of Thompson Falls since August, 1989
------Over ten years of school bus driving at Thompson Falls School District..
3. What do you plan to bring to the school board? What changes do you see are necessary?
I want to be open-minded, and open to listen to any and all ideas. I also want to have the opportunity to be able to make the best decision to benefit the students of the public school systems in Thompson Falls. The changes are already occurring right now with many staff and administration changes. I want to make sure the changes are smooth and that we have a smooth transition into the 2013-2014 school year.
4. Give a brief overview of your education, employment, family history, etc.
I have a Bachelor of Science in Composite Music Education, 1989 Dickinson State University. I am currently employed with Sanders County as a Justice Court Clerk under Judge Don Strine. I was born and raised in Dickinson, North Dakota. I moved to Thompson Falls in August 1989 to teach at Thompson Falls Schools. My wife Roseanne Lundberg and I have been married for 17 years, and have two boys ages 15 and 12, Joe and Grant.
5. How do you differ from your opponents?
I have the educational experience in the Thompson Falls School Systems and currently have two children attending Thompson Falls Schools.
Mindi Wilson
1. Why are you seeking a position on the school board?
I have a vested interest in the school district, not only with my own children attending but with every child. Our schools are tasked with shaping our future with many constraints such as budgets. I want to offer my abilities to help make those tough decisions and encourage our staff to continue the great job they are doing. Involvement is crucial to the success of our children in our society. There are many changes happening not only in our society but also our school district. I want to be a person that logically and empathetically helps in this fundamental and critical foundation of our childrens’ lives.
Many challenges are facing our district. With the new administration, I am eager to be a part of facing these.
2. What makes you an ideal candidate for this position? What experience do you have that is pertinent to this role?
I have been educated in a small school and continued my education with a top undergraduate program at Carroll College in Helena, MT and then a doctorate program at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN. I am knowledgeable in how essential primary education is important to success in our children’s future. During my time at Purdue, I was the president of the student body and delegate to the national veterinary college’s assembly. As a professional, I have served on numerous boards such as Epilepsy Association of Montana, animal welfare committee of Montana Veterinary Medical Assoc., and my church council as treasurer.
While all these volunteer opportunities have shaped my ability to work with volunteer boards and people, nothing would replace my experience as a business owner in our community of Thompson Falls. I owned the Thompson Falls Veterinary Clinic for many years. I was able to interact with many of our residents and truly make lifelong friends of the community. Also, running the business side made me very familiar with budgeting, short term and long term goals, and personnel management. This experience will be invaluable when working on the school board.
Finally, I have a daughter that attends this district and the other will start kindergarten this year. We have also had an exchange student in the high school this year. These involvement with both the elementary and high school has given me an insight to our talented staff of teachers, classified workers, special education co-op, administration, etc.
3. What do you plan to bring to the school board? What changes do you see are necessary?
I am a person who likes to know the facts and details before making a decision. Communication is very important to any decision and any board. Let’s open up the community to encourage involvement. Encourage parental involvement and attendance. Support our organizations such as PTO, Gear Up, summer school, etc. Listen to the needs of the district and help implement ways to meet them.
4. Give a brief overview of your education, employment, family history, etc.
I was raised in Hot Springs and went to k-12 there. My parents Jim (who was a pharmacist at Doug’s Drug for many years)and Sandy Newman still live in Hot Springs. I have two sisters that are both high school teachers. My husband is an alumni of Thompson Falls School District. We have two daughters, Sydnee (1st grade) and Savana (pre-K).
I have a BA in Biology and Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. I worked as a veterinarian for three years before purchasing Thompson Falls Veterinary Clinic. I sold the clinic in the fall of 2011. I have been a stay at home
mom since then.
5. How do you differ from your opponents?
My main differences lie in my education and mother of current district attendees. I am an independent thinker and find gratification on researching all sides of an issue. I will be an advocate for each student and parent within the district. Our main responsibility is to the students of Thompson Falls Schools. Communication is the key. I will support our teachers, staff and administration as we work towards these goals.
John Beckman
1. Why are you seeking a position on the school board?
Although I have no children attending school in Thompson Falls, I have always been very active in the school district where my two sons were educated. I enjoyed it immensely and felt it was an important part of being a parent. This is a way to give back to a community which has been very good to me.
2. What makes you an ideal candidate for this position? What experience do you have that is pertinent to this role?
Coming from a Class A school district, I could bring a different prospective to ours. I was very active in the fundraising when the new Belgrade Event Center was built being part of a Booster Club committee which raised over $100,000 to be used toward the finishing aspect. Being a self employed sales rep, I deal with many people daily both in person and by phone. I am able to work with people well and can deal with situations with an open mind.
Budgets are something I deal with very often and am required to stay within its parameters.
3. What do you plan to bring to the school board? What changes do you see are necessary?
Bringing an open mind and a willingness to listen is important when beginning any new endeavor. There are quality people on the board presently and I hope to assist them and our new administration to make the best decisions possible concerning the education of your children. Before recommending changes, I would like to study the existing policies, etc. with the district right now. As with any new job, there are rules and policies we as the public are unaware of. I would need to learn those and then assist making the changes necessary. You need to make educated suggestions and changes. We have a new administration beginning the next school year and as school board members, we need to be part of their new ideas they bring to the table and assist in making the transitions positive.
4. Give a brief overview of your education, employment, family history, etc.
I graduated in 1974 from Belgrade High School. In 1988, I began my career as a sales rep for several different furniture manufactures. Presently, I travel 3 states and 3 provinces in Canada. My wife and I were married in 1975 and have been blessed with two wonderful sons, ages 29 and 34. We moved to Thompson Falls in 2004 after our sons were through college and established. I guess you would say we “ran away from home”. Being part of the community you live in is important and running for school board is a way for me to fulfill that responsibility.
5. How do you differ from your opponents?
Since I have no children attending Thompson Falls, I can bring an unbiased and open mind. My only agenda coming in is to assist our administration and fellow school board members is to make our district a positive learning experience and the best it can be. I know what worked and what didn’t work with my sons as they were educated. Having 2 children go through 12 years of school lends itself to knowledge of the final effects our educators have on our children’s future.