By: Celesse Smedley
Every year, the citizens of New Haven elect three new school board members. This year, there are five candidates: Lauren Zobrist, Kyle Quick, Meg Parks, Mike Oetterer, and Diane White. The election date is set for April 4th.
Each candidate was interviewed and asked questions that came directly from the NHHS community. Mr. Quick’s responses are outlined below in order to give him a chance to speak to the community directly and to offer New Haven a better understanding of what he is all about.
Q: Why are you running for the New Haven School Board of Education and how do you intend to be a participating member?
A: As a 2002 graduate from New Haven I have always had a deep love for New Haven School District. Because of past board members while I was in school made New Haven an amazing school I want that same tradition to continue and give back to a school that gave me so much.
The job of a board member is to serve their communities in several important ways. First our job is to look out for the students and making decisions that are in their best interest, making sure they are given the chance to obtain the very best education our district can provide. I also represent the voice of the community.
Q: Tell us about yourself: Where did you grow up? Do you have family? What community activities have you previously been involved in? What ties do you have to this school district?
A: I have lived in New Haven my entire life and am a proud graduate of New Haven High School in 2002. I currently do not have a family or any children.
I have been involved in numerous community activities since graduating. I have helped every year volunteering with the 5th and 6th grade basketball tournaments. I’ve also spoken at the high school about making choices and importance in wearing seatbelts following the death of my younger brother.
Each year my family and I award one senior with a $1,000 scholarship which I present at the breakfast awards banquet at the end of the school year.
I think if you would ask anyone working for the district they would agree that my involvement since graduating high school has been significant in countless ways.
It is important to note that I did serve one term on the School Board from 2010 to 2013. After my first year I began QuickNewsNow which was something I never planned on doing. I did not run for reelection because I felt it was in the best interest for the school district and posed a conflict of interest with me covering news but also serving on the school board.
In 2015 I donated my business QuickNewsNow to the school district and their journalism class to help them have a foundation to begin on.
Every year, the citizens of New Haven elect three new school board members. This year, there are five candidates: Lauren Zobrist, Kyle Quick, Meg Parks, Mike Oetterer, and Diane White. The election date is set for April 4th.
Each candidate was interviewed and asked questions that came directly from the NHHS community. Mr. Quick’s responses are outlined below in order to give him a chance to speak to the community directly and to offer New Haven a better understanding of what he is all about.
Q: Why are you running for the New Haven School Board of Education and how do you intend to be a participating member?
A: As a 2002 graduate from New Haven I have always had a deep love for New Haven School District. Because of past board members while I was in school made New Haven an amazing school I want that same tradition to continue and give back to a school that gave me so much.
The job of a board member is to serve their communities in several important ways. First our job is to look out for the students and making decisions that are in their best interest, making sure they are given the chance to obtain the very best education our district can provide. I also represent the voice of the community.
Q: Tell us about yourself: Where did you grow up? Do you have family? What community activities have you previously been involved in? What ties do you have to this school district?
A: I have lived in New Haven my entire life and am a proud graduate of New Haven High School in 2002. I currently do not have a family or any children.
I have been involved in numerous community activities since graduating. I have helped every year volunteering with the 5th and 6th grade basketball tournaments. I’ve also spoken at the high school about making choices and importance in wearing seatbelts following the death of my younger brother.
Each year my family and I award one senior with a $1,000 scholarship which I present at the breakfast awards banquet at the end of the school year.
I think if you would ask anyone working for the district they would agree that my involvement since graduating high school has been significant in countless ways.
It is important to note that I did serve one term on the School Board from 2010 to 2013. After my first year I began QuickNewsNow which was something I never planned on doing. I did not run for reelection because I felt it was in the best interest for the school district and posed a conflict of interest with me covering news but also serving on the school board.
In 2015 I donated my business QuickNewsNow to the school district and their journalism class to help them have a foundation to begin on.
Q: What is the purpose of a school board member? What do you do?
A: The purpose of a board member is to write policies for the district and make sure all decisions financially are made in the best interest of the students and their education. As a board member,
you are also the public’s voice and should take into account opinions or suggestions they may have.
Q: What is your plan to make sure students get the best education possible?
A: I do not have a plan or personal agenda. I do not think taking office it is possible to have a “plan” other than doing my part in educating myself on new requirements the Department of Education may require schools to implement or new programs available. In a sense my plan is to work together with the entire board in making sure the district continues to move in the right direction.
Q: Why do you feel you’re a good candidate for the school board and do you have experience with this sort of position?
A: Strengths of mine that make me a good candidate I feel are (1)having experience in being a School Board member and (2) having graduated from New Haven and grown up in the community I know a lot about the district and how high of expectations placed on the performance of students.
Q: What is the biggest strength of our school district?
A: The staff and students are the reason we have a Tradition of Excellence year after year. Most of our teachers are past graduates who returned with their goal of teaching at New Haven and eventually retiring from New Haven. They could easily go to another district and make more money.
Q: What would you like to see changed in our school district in the next few years?
A: I don’t think anything should be changed at the present time. If elected there may be certain changes needed policy wise but that I can’t answer.
Q: What is your vision for the future of the New Haven School District?
A: My vision is the same as it has always been and that is continuing with a Tradition of Excellence. Never settling but always striving to do better.
A: The purpose of a board member is to write policies for the district and make sure all decisions financially are made in the best interest of the students and their education. As a board member,
you are also the public’s voice and should take into account opinions or suggestions they may have.
Q: What is your plan to make sure students get the best education possible?
A: I do not have a plan or personal agenda. I do not think taking office it is possible to have a “plan” other than doing my part in educating myself on new requirements the Department of Education may require schools to implement or new programs available. In a sense my plan is to work together with the entire board in making sure the district continues to move in the right direction.
Q: Why do you feel you’re a good candidate for the school board and do you have experience with this sort of position?
A: Strengths of mine that make me a good candidate I feel are (1)having experience in being a School Board member and (2) having graduated from New Haven and grown up in the community I know a lot about the district and how high of expectations placed on the performance of students.
Q: What is the biggest strength of our school district?
A: The staff and students are the reason we have a Tradition of Excellence year after year. Most of our teachers are past graduates who returned with their goal of teaching at New Haven and eventually retiring from New Haven. They could easily go to another district and make more money.
Q: What would you like to see changed in our school district in the next few years?
A: I don’t think anything should be changed at the present time. If elected there may be certain changes needed policy wise but that I can’t answer.
Q: What is your vision for the future of the New Haven School District?
A: My vision is the same as it has always been and that is continuing with a Tradition of Excellence. Never settling but always striving to do better.
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