Shakopee School Board Candidates Share 'Radical' Ideas

Editor’s Note: Their seemingly similar views led us instead to ask each candidate for The Shakopee Public Schools board two simple questions.

ANGELA TUCKER

Your most radical idea?

I would love to see the school provide iPads to each student to aid them with their studies and try to eliminate as much paper as possible. I realize there are many issues that would arise with this type of technology however; there are so many opportunities that technology can offer to students. This would be a great way to help engage students.

Your most sensible idea?

 One thing that I would like to see is an update to the Food Service website. The update would include giving the parents the ability to see that what their child had for meals and extras throughout the day. It would be nice for parents to track how the lunch money that is sent in is spent.   

MATT MCKEAND

Your most radical idea?

I support is year-round schooling, with four 13-week quarters. Each quarter would have 45 school days.  

Your most sensible idea?

During meetings, for example, when an elementary principal is providing a school update, I would like to see Parent Teacher Organization leadership invited to participate and the rest of the PTO to watch. Similarly, when secondary buildings are discussed, perhaps the meeting could be held at the school and parents could be invited. Meetings about elementary schools could also be held at that school.

JEREMY CASPER

Your most radical idea?

Move the schools to a year-round format. Our schools have operated over a century with a model of having summers off. In doing so, we wouldn't have the long break where students can forget what they have learned. In looking for ways to improve student performance, we need to look for ways of changing the status quo. Moving to a year-round format would definitely force the district to think differently.

Your most sensible idea?

Creation of a "From the desk of the Superintendent" column to share online and with local newspapers.

REGGIE BOWERMAN

Your most radical idea?

Transform high school (or as a student opt-in program, or only for seniors?) to more of a collegiate structure and class environment:  Monday/Wednesday/Friday and Tuesday/Thursday class scheduling. This would not only prepare students for the flow and operation of post secondary education, but allow for more concentrated instruction, particularly if you are able to extend the individual class times to longer than the current 50 minutes. Much of current limited class time is spent in settling in, setting up and sharing instructions for the class period.  Give an instructor 90 minutes (or longer with a break?) and they can be more productive and cover more material in their actual classroom instruction. There are a number of logistical and scheduling questions that would need to be asked and answered. It also is more geared towards those pursuing post-secondary education which may not appeal to all students. What it would do is provide a more episodic and concentrated learning environment that may translate into better teaching, understanding and learning.

Your most sensible idea?

For many children, the food they receive during the school day (breakfast or lunch) is their best and perhaps only reliable meals of the day. What happens when school is out for a holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas? I suspect many kids go hungry for part of that time in the absence of school meals. The district should develop a detailed proposal, implementation plan and proactively seek out local corporate sponsors willing to make in-kind donations to coincide with key holiday school breaks.

For example, Walmart might donate backpacks, Cub/Rainbow/Target could donate food. Each interested child (such as Free & Reduced qualified) could pick up a backpack containing food on their way home on the day prior to the holiday break. The food could be canned, fresh fruit, non perishable, etc. It need not cover a set amount of time as any nourishing food items would be beneficial. The child would be expected to return the backpack on the first day back from the holiday for reuse at the next holiday. The program could be limited to elementary schools as a place to start, possibly expanded to middle and higher grades if successful and enough sponsors participate.  Structured properly, this would have a net zero budget impact on the district, provide a way for local businesses to support our children and schools (a charitable deduction as well), and provide countless children with food and nourishment that they might otherwise forego.

I add a caveat that I would want the chance to fully vette the concepts and explore all the implications.