ESD 105 Educational Service District

All candidates who provided a valid email address when they registered their campaign have been invited to participate.

If you don't see your district's candidates and would like them to answer these questions, feel free to email them the link below and cc office@artsedwashington.org. We're happy to add their responses. https://forms.gle/8jggc8cunCjAsVE2A

To find contact information, go to https://voter.votewa.gov/CandidateList.asp, choose your County and add the word "school" under District type.

Selah School District

Position 2

Mary Schuler

Which of these arts did you have as a part of your own K-12 education?

Dance, Media Arts, Music, Theatre, Visual Art

How did the arts impact your education and life after high school?

It made me who I’am and how i listen to people and who they are and value we all are gifts of art, and we all have a voice , and have come from somewhere but people just dont see it. Are they listening.

If elected, which of these strategies would you consider to support arts education in your district?

  • Research current arts program and assess needs throughout the district
  • Work for a budget to finacially support arts instruction at all schools
  • Create a local arts education task-force
  • Develop or update a district level arts plan
  • Develop or expand district support for teaching artist residencies
  • Support arts inclusion professional development opportunities for classroom teachers
  • Support trauma-informed, culturally responsive professional development for arts teachers
  • Expand district-wide data collection for tracking and accountability
  • Seek out insights from local PTAs, Booster Clubs, and arts organizations
  • It needs to be in all Schools

How do you plan to support and implement SB5878 this school year?

Educate , Educate

Arts education which incorporates trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices can be uniquely beneficial, especially during this challenging period in history. How do you see the arts playing a role in student success in your district?

Music played a big part in my life when a grow up and brings joy to children in there life this is a must , arts, dance, music ext. is a must.

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West Valley (Yakima) School District

Position 4

Mark Mochel

Which of these arts did you have as a part of your own K-12 education?

Music, Theatre

How did the arts impact your education and life after high school?

Very much interested in the theater, orchestra and music in general

If elected, which of these strategies would you consider to support arts education in your district?

  • Develop or update a district level arts plan

How do you plan to support and implement SB5878 this school year?

My district does a pretty good job with the arts. Fine Arts is being taught at all elementary schools and in the secondary schools there is ample opportunity for students to experience art in many different areas.

Arts education which incorporates trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices can be uniquely beneficial, especially during this challenging period in history. How do you see the arts playing a role in student success in your district?

The inclusion of students in the arts will give them a sense of belonging in school. By increasing their interest in the arts and increasing the availability to the arts, hopefully students will be more interested in school and attendance will also increase.

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Yakima School District

Position 5

Jennifer Hawks-Conright

Which of these arts did you have as a part of your own K-12 education?

Dance, Music, Theatre, Visual Art

How did the arts impact your education and life after high school?

Having access to the arts bolstered my creativity, language and reading fluidity. It afforded me the ability to think outside of the box and appreciate differing interpretations.

If elected, which of these strategies would you consider to support arts education in your district?

  • Research current arts program and assess needs throughout the district
  • Work for a budget to finacially support arts instruction at all schools
  • Create a local arts education task-force
  • Develop or update a district level arts plan
  • Develop or expand district support for teaching artist residencies
  • Support arts inclusion professional development opportunities for classroom teachers
  • Support trauma-informed, culturally responsive professional development for arts teachers
  • Expand district-wide data collection for tracking and accountability
  • Seek out insights from local PTAs, Booster Clubs, and arts organizations

How do you plan to support and implement SB5878 this school year?

As a lover and supporter of the arts, I wholeheartedly support SB 5878 and as School Board Director, I will ensure that arts instruction is provided in the districtís curriculum. I would look over the bill and compare it to the current curriculum and ask questions where I find discrepancies and request that we fix the gaps.

Arts education which incorporates trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices can be uniquely beneficial, especially during this challenging period in history. How do you see the arts playing a role in student success in your district?

Our world is facing unprecedented challenges albeit division of politics, war and social justice, which are compounded by Social Media. Having access to express oneself is vital for oneís mental health and expression. Our district is equally riddled with gang violence, but having creative outlets will help not only with mental health but give students a purpose and will decrease violence, absenteeism and will increase retention.

Position 3

Norm Walker

Which of these arts did you have as a part of your own K-12 education?

Music, Theatre, Visual Art

How did the arts impact your education and life after high school?

Lifelong patron and participant in visual and performing arts.

If elected, which of these strategies would you consider to support arts education in your district?

  • Research current arts program and assess needs throughout the district
  • Work for a budget to finacially support arts instruction at all schools
  • Develop or update a district level arts plan
  • Support arts inclusion professional development opportunities for classroom teachers
  • Support trauma-informed, culturally responsive professional development for arts teachers
  • Seek out insights from local PTAs, Booster Clubs, and arts organizations

How do you plan to support and implement SB5878 this school year?

Not sure yet.

Arts education which incorporates trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices can be uniquely beneficial, especially during this challenging period in history. How do you see the arts playing a role in student success in your district?

Not only being a healthy creative outlet, participation in arts programs have shown to foster improved mental health and resilience.

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