Platteville School Board candidates debate mental health, safety, budgets and books at student forum

A student-organized forum at Platteville High School gave voters a chance to hear four candidates for the Platteville School Board discuss student mental health, extracurricular programming, campus safety, curriculum planning, budget priorities and library collections.

Fletcher Klein, a senior who helped design the student survey, told candidates that 48.2% of students listed mental health and wellness as their top concern. Kesha King, a current Platteville School Board member and former Westview Elementary teacher, said mental-health support must be individualized. "Mental health is case by case; there is no cookie-cutter process," King said, adding that the district should reach out to students to learn what support they need.

Ben Grossman, a current board member, said the district already has outside partnerships and training and that the board reviews those services annually to see whether to expand them. Jill Weeder Holt supported increased access to professionals and suggested student-led peer mentorship and education about coping skills. Betsy Ralphtoson said the district provides social-emotional learning at every grade and has added social-work and counseling staff when funding allows.

Students also pressed candidates about extracurriculars, and Rowan Sheski, another student organizer, noted 46.4% of respondents prioritized participation opportunities. Candidates said exposure, mentorship and community partnerships help increase engagement. "Area businesses are often honored to be asked to give a field trip or provide a school-tour experience," Weeder Holt said, describing local partnerships used to connect students to opportunities.

On safety, Guthrie Klein raised concerns about feeling secure on campus. Ralphtoson said the district has updated security cameras and entryways with more than $100,000 in state grant funding over the last three years and employs a district community service officer and near–full-time social-work support. "We need ongoing dialogue between students and staff to make sure we're meeting people's needs," she said. Candidates also mentioned anonymous tip lines and staff training as tools to improve both physical and mental safety.

When asked about curriculum planning, candidates emphasized that state standards set required learning objectives but said the district can shape local course offerings through enrollment data, surveys, information nights and partnerships with local employers to prepare students for the workforce. On budgeting, students heard that staff constitute the district's largest cost; Betsy Ralphtoson said she would advocate for an operating referendum, while Grossman noted past referendums had failed twice and urged finding community partnerships and targeted contracting to stretch existing funds.

Book selection and concerns about censorship drew questions from Aspen Tesol, a senior who cited a 28.6% student concern rate. Candidates described librarian-led collection development, a district review process, interlibrary loans and policies to raise concerns. Grossman said he supports librarians' work to diversify collections; other candidates said the district should balance accessibility and age-appropriate placements.

The forum concluded with candidates praising the student organizers and urging voters to participate in the April 1 election. The event organizers said their goal was to inform students and community members so they can make informed choices at the ballot box.