Whitewater to Hold School Board Election

Four residents of Whitewater have submitted their name to be among the names of possible school board candidates. The election is May 7th, as a mail-in ballot, or if need be, one can drop off their vote at the office of the Phillips County Clerk and Recorder until 8 p.m. on that day.

The candidates include incumbent members, Allie Olsen and Steve Young. They are being challenged by a husband-wife couple, Paul and Sarah Skubanni. Sarah is no stranger to the community, she is a graduate of Whitewater High School; she is the former Sarah Dunbar, daughter of Pat and Barb Dunbar. She and Paul moved back to the community from various addresses and decided to run for the positions that are open.

Alphabetically, the responses to the PCN inquiry about running are here. Question 1 was their basic introduction and addresses. Due to duplicate last names, the first names will be used.

2. Share with readers about your employment, family, schooling.

Paul: I am married to Sarah Dunbar-Skubinna a Whitewater Native; Sarah is Postmaster at the Loring Post Office and also a candidate for School Board. We have have two boys, both currently enrolled in Whitewater School District. My education is I have a Bachelors of Science in Engineering, as well as a Masters of Science from the University of North Dakota. I am a licensed Professional Engineer and carry various certifications and accreditations.

Sarah: I graduated from Whitewater High School. I am married and have two boys in school in Whitewater. I have degrees in Sociology, Criminology, and Addiction Counseling. I have worked for the State and Federal government for 20 years. In my last position, I ran the Disability program for the Montana Public Employees Retirement Association (MPERA). Currently I am semi-retired and working as the postmaster for the Loring Post Office.

Allie: I am married to Sue (Stahl) Olsen. We are both self-employed farmer/ranchers. We have three children: Mandy Moore, Ryan Olsen (deceased) and Carli Simanton. I graduated from Whitewater High School.

I graduated from Dawson College with degrees in Ag Management and Animal Science.

Steve: I was born and raised in Washington State. I graduated from Ingraham High School in Seattle. After graduation I came to Montana. I worked on oil and gas rigs, then was hired by Montana Power Company in the Havre and Whitewater areas for 25 years. I then worked for another 13 years for Omimex Canada LTD before retiring. I met my wife of 23 years, Patty. She is a retired Whitewater Postmaster of 44 years.

3. What factors did you consider when you decided to run to the School Board?

Paul: I would like to share my skills, abilities, and experience for the betterment of the District, its students and staff.

Sarah: I want to be more involved in my kids schooling and I believe I can

be of the best service on the School Board.

Allie: I have been on the Whitewater School Board since 1997. I feel that with my 27 years of experience I have extensive knowledge of the inner workings within the school and the challenges that Whitewater School faces concerning budgeting, salaries and salary negotiations, and the recruitment/retainment of faculty and management.

Steve: I have been on the Whitewater School Board for 18 years. I feel that being a contributing member of the board, I can continue to bring the highest quality of education to our students.

4. Do you have experience in education or on boards?

Paul: In my professional capacity, I have 20 years of experience with Boards,

Commissions, Committees and Councils ranging from carrying a bill in the Montana Legislature on behalf of a State Agency to local municipal government work groups and committees.

Sarah: I have served on Boards in the past and I reported directly to a Board for MPERA. I understand statute, policy, and rule. I am capable of researching and analyzing a variety of data.

Allie: I have served on several boards in the past including the Northern Montana Youth Ranch, the local Cenex, and the International Agricultural Exchange state, national and international boards. I currently serve on the Whitewater School Board, the Red Coat Cattle Feeder board, the Montana Livestock Ag Credit Board, the North Country Development Cooperative Board, the Whitewater Lutheran Church Board and the Unity Lutheran Parish Board.

Steve: I am currently an active member of the Whitewater Sewer District.

5. Do you have any concerns about the future and education of students in the school system?

Paul: I think there are some strange things happening in our country’s education system and I want to help my local Whitewater School District to stay sane, with practical education-based goals, common-sense based practical management and family friendly policies.

Sarah: Not locally. I just want to make sure our kids are getting the best that they can get from their education in this fast-changing society.

Allie: No response.

Steve: Enrollment and funding are always a very big concern for rural schools. Whitewater is fortunate to have a high quality of teaching staff that is able to work through the highs and lows and still bring the students the education they need to excel in life.

6. How do you feel the school is handling the current budget and sticking to it? Do you feel there are any downfalls or areas for possibilities for change?

Paul: I do not yet have detailed knowledge of the Administration’s handling of the budget. However, I have extensive knowledge in managing public sector budgets up to a $51M annual budget as the former Public Works Director for the City of Great Falls. I enjoy all aspects of budgeting from the planning, development and adoption process to revenue and expenditure monitoring.

Sarah: I don’t have any particular issues. There is always room for improvement. Again, I just want to make sure that the kids and educators have all the tools and resources that are available for them.

Allie: Here in Whitewater, with dwindling student numbers, we face financial struggles yearly and I feel we as a board work through those issues well.

Steve: With the economy going the way it is, I feel Whitewater is doing a very good job handling the ever-challenging budget. With the fluctuating of State and Federal funding plus the rising cost of everything, the school always finds a way to give our students the best quality of education they are entitled to.

7. What is your opinion on the current salaries of teachers and non-certified staff?

Paul: I think you need to find quality staff and do what it takes to retain them. Staffing is a critical issue right now in all segments of both public and private sectors.

Sarah: I do not have the specific information of salaries. I do know that there is an issue everywhere with retention. I understand that the Whitewater School offers an increased benefit in their health plan.

It is much better than most offered. Of course, we want to keep up with trends and what we can do for retention and recruitment of our education staff.

Allie: No response.

Steve: I have always believed our teachers and staff wages should be increased. With the economy (state and Federal) affecting our budget the school does all it can to be competitive.

8. Do you have any ideas for recruiting or retaining teachers?

Paul: Yes, in my professional capacity, I have managed and led people and technical programs in the public sector for over 12 years in organizations both large and small. I have managed a workforce as large as 135 direct and indirect reports down to my current responsibilities with just 12. I have been the hiring manager on 100s of hiring processes and am intimately familiar with strategies to attract, screen, onboard and retain qualified staff.

Sarah: I do not. I have reached out to a couple other states to see if there are any “different” recruiting processes that might possibly work in our area.

Allie: No response.

Steve: I feel that the four-day school week and inexpensive teacher housing, plus signing bonuses, help recruit new teachers. Then the community takes over and makes them feel welcome.

9. Does the school offer adult ed classes, and if not, do you think they might consider them?

Paul: I do not believe Whitewater directly offers continuing education opportunities for post high school aged community members. I think Whitewater supports education and certification of staff members that show potential to be top performers. I support this program as well. That said, the school may be a good venue and platform for practical on-going education applicable to the ranching and farming-based community structure or other community interests. This is an interesting idea that might be worth carefully exploring.

Sarah: I have seen no Adult Ed classes recently. If there is interest, I think it would be a great idea as the school has a great facility all the way around.

Allie: Whitewater has offered adult education classes in the past but haven't recently but possibly could, if the interest is there.

Steve: Ya know, 26 years ago when I came to work in Whitewater, I believe the school did offer an adult education class in computers. I am not sure how long it was offered or why it ended. But talking with folks, it was very informative and enjoyable. It could be something to look into again.

10. What other boards and committees have or are you serving on, how will this help to serve the district?

Paul: See response to #4 for boards and committees. I have a range of experience with boards and committees from managing and participating in public meetings on highly contentious and/or emotional issues down to brainstorming operational tactics at the local volunteer fire hall. With this range of experience, I will be able to help the District make informed and productive decisions through constructive interactions between the Board members, parents and the public. These outcomes will continue moving the district forward toward the goal of maintaining common sense family friendly policies aimed at achieving the highest possible educational process and outcomes for the students.

Sarah: Nothing currently. My prior experience is vast and varied and will contribute to the Board.

Allie: I have attended several school board conventions to educate myself with issues concerning school boards. 

Steve: With being a supervisor for Omimex and on the Whitewater Sewer Board, budget is everything. I feel my experience and input help to keep the Whitewater school on track with its budget.

11. What ideas would you like to bring to the board for consideration and public input?

Paul: I do not have a specific agenda at this time. I’d like to get some experience on the Board, take some time to check under the hood a little bit and see how things are running. Then use that knowledge to collaboratively work with staff to bring creative ideas forward that help prepare our young people to be what they want to be when they grow up. Skilled and productive members of our local farming and ranching operations, prepared to further their education, or ready to successfully enter a trade or vocation.

Sarah: Nothing specific yet. I would like to again look at Loring becoming a part of the Whitewater District. I know this a lengthy process, but I think we need to try again with all the families in Loring.

Allie: No response.

Steve:I would like to bring up the idea of offering an adult education class to the board and community. Technology may be be good because ours is changing so fast.

12. What would you like voters to know when preparing to cast their vote?

Paul: Our kids are our community’s future, whether they leave to get to somewhere else, or away from where they are, they take the community’s future with them.

Sarah: I grew up and graduated here. I bring in a lot of outside experience but

with the rural mentality to keep our specific set of morals and values in

the forefront of decision making.

Allie: No response.

Steve: I would like the voters to look back on my past 18 years of school board service and know I will continue to bring the very best education and environment to our students.