By GARLAND KENNEDY
Sentinel Staff Writer
Andrew Hames and Cass Pook have filed as candidates for the School Board in the Oct. 6 city election, bringing to three the number running for two open seats on the board.
The filing period closes at 5 p.m. today, leaving the possibility of additional candidates filing after the Sentinel’s press time today. Updates will be filed on the Sentinel website www.sitkasentinel.com.
Blossom Twitchell filed for the board earlier this week. Hames, the other incumbent, filed late Thursday and Pook filed today. Twitchell and Hames are finishing out the terms of Dionne Brady-Howard and Elias Erickson, who resigned from the School Board in June.
In an interview with the Sentinel today, Hames said, “I’m running for School Board because I’m excited to continue working with the team that is currently in place after being appointed to the seat a month or so ago. I have a background in education, and I miss being involved in education. And I feel I can bring the perspective of someone who has been a teacher in the classroom.”
He said safety during the pandemic would be a high priority for him as a board member.
Pook told the Sentinel that her focus would be working together for common goals.
“If I could define my focus by one word it’s wooch.een, all coming together for the common good,” she said.
She added that she would seek equity among students if elected.
Pook had previously served on the School Board.
“I’ve been on the board 18 years and I’m experienced. I think that’s needed now on the board. And also for equity with students and making sure that all students across the board are having their needs met,” she said.
Pook added she hopes for the district to work alongside the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, Sealaska and other organizations.
“We can work together to close the achievement gap,” she said.
Hames stressed the need to maintain high quality education amid the stresses caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
“We are in a transitional phase with figuring out how to open safely and meet the needs of students in the face of the global pandemic. How can we continue to support teachers and administration and parents and help them have a quality education?” he asked.
Pook expressed concern about the reopening of school and said the district should accommodate families with concerns as well.
“There are people that are nervous, people that are in real fear of sending their kids back to school, and I think we need to make the best accommodations we can, whether that be online school or home school… Kids that are K-5 don’t really understand social distancing, they just want to hang out together,” she said.
She said the search for a permanent superintendent would be one of the most challenging tasks for the board this coming year.
Hames also noted that the search for a new superintendent also is high on his to-do list. John Holst has been interim superintendent since the June 30 resignation of Mary Wegner.
“Trying to recruit and vet through new superintendent candidates and finding a good fit for our school district is going to be the next priority,” Hames said. “I’d like to find a superintendent who can communicate well with the various buildings and schools we have in our district and have a team mentality when rolling out new policies or directives to the district. It’s really important that there is buy-in from teachers and parents.”
He added that a good superintendent must take into consideration the needs of all students.
“A superintendent who is going to consider the needs of all students regardless of their background, there is not one size that fits all,” he said.
Hames said the school district will face significant budget challenges in the coming year.
“We have a tough road ahead as a community and as a state with funding for everything, but education is going to be something worth fighting for and worth advocating for,” he said.
