Six candidates in South Washington County Schools forum outline competing priorities on safety, literacy, equity and budgets

Six candidates for South Washington County Schools (District 833) summarized competing priorities and policy views at a League of Women Voters candidate forum ahead of the Nov. 4 election.

The forum, moderated by Liz Nordling of the League of Women Voters, featured opening and closing statements and a rotation of questions on fiscal performance, school safety, literacy, equity, mental-health services and community engagement. Six of nine candidates participated in person or via read statements.

Why it matters: Four board seats are open in District 833; the school board sets policy on curriculum, district strategy and hiring and influences how local bond and levy dollars are spent. Voters will decide in the Nov. 4 election (early voting Sept. 19–Nov. 3).

Budget and finance: Candidates generally said the district has maintained a fund balance to buffer instability but emphasized different priorities. Elizabeth Bachman Ekberg said the district has “tried to buffer itself and build up a fund balance” to sustain programming. Incumbent Katie Schwartz said fiscal decisions must prioritize classroom instruction and noted uncertainty in federal special-education funding.

Chad Borseth and other candidates argued for stronger school-level cost containment and more accountability for how dollars reach classrooms. Juan Huerta urged closer review of where funding is going and said paras and classroom services should be prioritized.

School safety: Candidates agreed the board’s role is policy-setting rather than program delivery but proposed multiple measures. Juan Huerta recommended reinforcing front doors and locks that teachers can activate; several candidates supported secure main entrances, layered approaches (locks, sight lines, cameras), regular lockdown drills and stronger relationships with local law enforcement and school resource officers (SROs).

Multiple candidates stressed preventative approaches: Sharon Van Leer and Elizabeth Bachman Ekberg emphasized mental-health supports and trauma-informed practices as ways to reduce risk before incidents occur.

READ Act and literacy: Most candidates praised the district’s READ Act rollout as student-centered and supportive of phonics and early intervention. Katie Schwartz called the initiative “a great resource” that gives students more engaging materials; Chad Borseth defended phonics and implementation fidelity, saying the approach exists but that consistent implementation matters.

Equity and inclusion: Candidates split on approaches. Sharon Van Leer pointed to the district’s racial equity policy (policy 102.1) and culturally affirming practices; she said acknowledgement of students’ identities fosters belonging. Elizabeth Bachman Ekberg urged diverse hiring and unconscious-bias training on hiring committees to better reflect the student body.

Juan Huerta argued for a color-blind approach, saying some DEI practices have divided students; his comments were presented as his position without rebuttal in the forum.

Mental-health supports and attendance: Candidates repeatedly linked mental-health services to chronic absenteeism, which multiple speakers described as “one in four” students in the district. Proposals included hiring more social workers, early screening, targeted small-group interventions and stronger school–family communication to identify students who are disengaging before absences accumulate.

Religion in public schools: The majority said religion should not be part of curriculum instruction but allowed objective teaching about religious history and cultural practices. Elizabeth Bachman Ekberg cited separation of church and state; several candidates said schools should accommodate students’ religious practices without endorsing religious instruction.

Board priorities and reforms: Candidates’ top stated priorities varied. Katie Schwartz emphasized equity and student belonging; Lori Pesci Michalski prioritized parental transparency and involvement; Chad Borseth proposed a districtwide ban on phones during school hours, saying, “we take these phones out of school, off and away, all day, bell to bell.” Several candidates recommended practical steps to reduce chronic absenteeism.

Campaign context and endorsements: Candidates described differing approaches to endorsements. Elizabeth Bachman Ekberg said she is supported by the teacher union and has a Moms Demand Action endorsement; Katie Schwartz said she declined political endorsements to keep the race nonpartisan. Chad Borseth criticized outside special-interest spending in recent school-board elections and said he both entertained and declined some endorsements this cycle.

What’s next: Candidates gave one-minute closing statements and reminded voters of early voting (Sept. 19–Nov. 3) and Election Day (Nov. 4). The forum materializes candidate contrasts on discipline and parental engagement, while many endorsed expanding mental-health services and sustaining literacy and safety investments.

Speakers quoted and paraphrased in this report are drawn from the League of Women Voters forum for South Washington County Schools (District 833).