League of Women Voters Candidate Forum set for March 30, 2023.

The Mexico- Audrain County League of Women Voters will host a Candidate Forum for City Council and School Board Candidates Thursday, March 30 at the Mexico YMCA beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Forum will be held in the pickleball court area. 

The League of Women Voters of Mexico-Audrain County is a nonpartisan political organization and cannot endorse or oppose any candidate for office. However, a basic purpose of the League is to promote informed voting. The League makes every effort to assist candidates in presenting their opinion(s) to the voters. 

Each candidate was contacted by the League and asked two questions pertaining to the election. Their responses to these questions as well as their answers to questions submitted by the audience attending the Forum will make up the program. The Forum is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend.

Candidates were asked two questions, with a 200-word answer limit for each.

Here are the questions asked:

1. What are your qualifications for a position on the Mexico School Board?

2. What do you see as the 2 major issues confronting the Mexico School Board during the upcoming term? How would you recommend these issues be addressed?                     
   1. I am qualified to serve on the Mexico School Board for many reasons, such as I am relentless, open minded, always prepared and have a strong business background to meet every situation head-on. Each decision placed before a board needs a person like myself that will review every angle. I will spend countless hours researching to be completely knowledgeable of the entire scope. I am a board member that realizes that all decisions will affect many students and staff, so keeping an open mind is extremely important. I am a strong decision maker and repeatedly place my personal wishes aside for the good of the whole.

   While serving on the Mexico School Board, I have proven that each decision was important and made with knowledge of all views. I have helped navigate through many challenges within the school district these past three years because I am a strong leader. You can be assured I will be ready!

   2.

   Two major issues confronting the Mexico School Board are teacher retention and parental support, which both can lead to better education and test scores.

   Mexico Public School teachers continue to leave, not only for other districts, but the education field completely. Teaching has changed dramatically the past couple of decades. Teachers' educational focus has shifted from mostly instruction to more social and emotional care. Students are not getting the adequate classroom instruction needed because teachers have these extra responsibilities. Teachers are exhausted. The district must continue to add more social workers so teachers can use all their energy to focus on better instruction.

   Parental support is a must. Parents and teachers are the two main figures in a student's life. If parents and teachers work together, starting with better communication, a child's education will be impacted in an extremely positive way. The school district needs to continue to improve communication with parents so all are properly informed. I truly believe with great communication more respect will develop and the students will benefit greatly. Test scores will improve when all areas of support are working together. We must never stop improving every avenue of communication so all students reach their potential.