Primary near, school board candidates make their pitches
The chance for voters to submit ballots for the Park City Board of Education’s primary election will come to a close Tuesday.
In both primary races — Districts 2 and 3 — the top two vote getters in each race will move on to November’s general election while the candidate receiving the fewest votes will be eliminated. But before all the ballots are mailed in, each candidate is still trying to get his or her message across to voters.
District 2
Comprises Park Meadows North, Snyders Mill, Ranch Place, Highland Estates East, Highland Estates West
In District 2, candidates have worked to persuade voters that they can lead the district into the future — one that looks different than it did before the controversial bond campaign last fall.
Peter Yogman has campaigned on beginning a transparent process to fix the district’s facility needs, among other issues, and said the Board of Education needs someone who can heal the rift in the community left by last year’s bond controversy. He hopes to solidify leadership of the district.
"People need to have faith in a candidate who can do that," he said. "That’s what people are longing for."
Cathy Callow-Heusser said facility needs have loomed over the campaign. Most of the people who have contacted her have been focused on her views of the facilities — she has said she wants a transparent, well-communicated process to address them — potentially overshadowing other issues, such as closing the achievement gap.
"I don’t know if the voters in Park City feel that it’s a hot-button issue," she said.
Andrew Caplan was hopeful the community, and the candidates, are ready to move on from the division from last year’s bond election. He said he hopes voters take into account the character of the candidates and what they’re going to contribute to the community.
"Ultimately, while (the bond was) important, to me that’s not the focus — the focus is the kids and the policy and keeping our teachers happy and employed," he said.
The job security of Superintendent Ember Conley is one issue apart from facility needs that has arisen in recent months. Callow-Heusser and Yogman each said Conley has made some mistakes but should be given the next year — her contract was set to expire after next school year — to prove her worth. Caplan declined to critique Conley’s performance but said he would represent his constituents in deciding whether to vote to retain her.
District 3
Comprises Park Meadows South, Quarry Mountain, Park West, Ranch Road South
Candidates in District 3 have also addressed topics surrounding the facility needs but have grappled with other issues in their campaigns, as well.
Moe Hickey said district leaders must also focus on securing proper funding for the district and closing the achievement gap. He said the experience he has from previously serving on the Board would be crucial.
"The bottom line is there is experience needed — with school budgets, with working with the Legislature, with working with district administration," he said. "That is going to be key to getting the district back on track so it can move forward.
Petra Butler said she has learned a lot about the voters from knocking on doors. Voters, she said, are looking for someone open-minded and objective who can move beyond the failed bond. She identified improving the district’s communication with the community as one of the most important issues.
"That’s a big area I think we need to continue to work on," she said. "But I think we’re headed in the right direction."
Art Brothers hoped he comes across to voters as someone who can unite people who have different opinions about the district and the issues facing it. The district needs leaders who can bring people together, he said, and he has always been someone able to help solve problems.
"I hope people are connecting with that," he said. "I can build bridges between the various factions and work with them in order to help."
Brothers is the only District 3 candidate who supports replacing Conley. Hickey defended her, saying she inherited a district that needed a lot of changes. Butler agreed that Conley has had to tackle a lot of "difficult issues" and would reserve judgement about the superintendent.
South Summit School District’s Board of Education is also having a primary election in District 2. The candidates are Dan Eckert, Kat Mitchell and Cynthia Card. North Summit School District does not have a primary.
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“I have so much faith in what this program provides to kids, not only academically, but what I have seen firsthand is the means by which this activity provides kids who are neurodivergent with a safe space in which they are celebrated,” Williams said. “That’s really important to me, and so important to me that I’m not going to leave the program anytime soon.”
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