Know before you vote
Figuring out who to vote for can be confusing and overwhelming at times. We want you to feel comfortable voting for Kathryn Byrd by knowing how she answers some of the most frequently asked questions. If you do not see the question you had in mind listed, please feel free to send it to us and we will work on getting you a response. Thank you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are you running for the board of education?
I am running for the board of education for a second term to continue to help where I can by fostering community connections, learning what I can about what needs to be improved & collaborating with experts to find the most ideal solutions, and doing all I can to make sure we are the the best we can for all of our students. I will continue to make data driven & fiscally responsible decisions as well as paying special attention to safety & security.
How do you feel about Proposition RT?
I believe the tax freeze in Proposition RT will ultimately hurt our district and the community as costs continue to rise across the board. Local property tax makes up the districts largest source of income and not allowing it to be adjusted (without a plan on how to make up for the deficit it will cause) would be detrimental to the education our students receive.
How do you feel about student and staff mental health and what do you think the BOE member's role with it?
Mental health is an important issue that, unfortunately, some people do not pay close enough attention to until there is a personal tragedy. I believe we have already lost too many students due to mental health issues and that is a driving factor in my push for a positive and safe learning environment for all. There are programs that we participate with, materials we supply, and additional education opportunities we provide. I believe we can do a better job supporting all of our staff members with mental health and would like to continue to work with them to identify possible ways to improve it and support their needs.
How do you see yourself working with educators?
Our educators do a good job at providing a quality education and I would like to continue to support and empower them as much as possible. As a BOE member, I will continue to be open to communicate regularly with our teachers and staff. Additionally, I will ask questions to get a clear understanding of their difficulties and needs. I will then work with district leadership and other BOE members to research what can be done to help and find ways to meet those needs.
I would also like to implement a variety of techniques to improve employee engagement and create a healthy work environment for all. Additionally, we can renovate our recruitment methods and marketing techniques to attract and hire quality teachers. With more teachers on board, the teachers we currently have will have the ability to take their breaks and scheduled planning time again which will have an immediate positive effect on their mental health and reduce the risk of burnout.
How do you feel about working with various stakeholders from the district and community? (Particularly individuals who have opposing viewpoints.)
Collaboration is absolutely critical when it comes to school districts. As a BOE member, I communicate with teachers and administrators and listen to their concerns with an open mind. I ask questions to make sure I am understanding them and do what I can to include them with finding solutions.
While we must be able to communicate and work with each other, it is important to note that some people might have opposing viewpoints.
In all honesty, working with individuals with opposing viewpoints can be rewarding if handled appropriately. By finding common ground to start from, maintaining a positive environment, respecting each other, and supporting our opinions with objective data, we will be able to have meaningful and productive conversations. If we do this really well, we will be able to use our different backgrounds to come up with unique solutions to problems.