The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

Several Journal readers asked the newspaper to share information about candidates for Blaine County school trustee positions to be filled at the election on May 7, 2024. By email all eighteen candidates for trustee were contacted, whether running opposed or unopposed. Each candidate was asked for their responses to four questions. Candidates are listed alphabetically with the responses they submitted.

Kathleen Adams, District #12 Harlem

(two three-year terms open), incumbent.

1. What motivated you to run for a school trustee position? The #1 reason are the Students, they are what motivated me and I would like to continue to work with our school board to make the best decisions for our students and our community.

2. If elected, what are your priorities? If elected my priorities is ensure our students are successful, recruit and retain teachers/staff. Special Education improvements.

3. What experiences or skills have prepared you to serve as a school trustee member? I’ve been on the school board 14 consecutive years I feel this experience has taught me a lot about what it is to be a trustee and the skills you learn to be a supportive team member on the school board.

4. Why do you feel voters should elect you as a school trustee? Continuity I feel our board works great together and I would like to continue to serve or school district.

Warren Morin, District #50 Hays/Lodge Pole

(two three-year terms open), non-incumbent.

1. What motivated you to run for a school trustee position? My concern for our children getting a quality education to be successful in life. Historically our students have had low scores compared to other schools in the state. I would like to see improvements to these scores. I would also like to ensure basic life skills be taught. Kids need to understand the importance of making it in life. Education is the foundation for that.

2. If elected, what are your priorities? What changes you would like to see? My priority would be to get develop a plan to achieve my goals of providing a quality education. I would also like to get on the students level to ask them what changes they would like to see to make the school a better place for them. I’ve always believed that school should be enjoyable so that the kids would look forward to being present every day. Meeting the teachers, students and faculty would be a priority as well.

3. What experiences or skills have prepared you to serve as a school trustee member? I have been a leader for the most part of my life. I’ve been a personnel manager for many years. I have also served eight years on our tribal council. I consider myself a positive progressive person that can make a difference. I bring a lot to the table with my experience and knowledge. I try to teach others everything I know. When everyone is in the know, then a lot can be accomplished. Communication is the key to the success of any group, business, board or relationship. I believe in building relationships with stakeholders. It can only help with whatever needs to be done to make our school better. I have also developed relationships with our current delegation in Washington, DC. This can be an asset for the position of school board member.

4. Why do you feel voters should elect you as a school trustee? I feel that voters should elect me because of my experience with leadership. Our kids need a good education to prepare them for the next level of education or for life in general. I know some kids will not be interested in going on to college. These kids need to learn as much life skills as possible in order to become productive members of society.

Melissa Shambo, District #50 Hays/Lodge Pole

(two three-year terms open), non-incumbent.

1. What motivated you to run for a school trustee position? Make a positive change and create unity.

2. If elected, what are your priorities? What changes you would like to see? After school Programs & Parent Involvement. Improving our test scores by getting everyone the updated training and education needed to have a successful education plan for our students.   

3. What experiences or skills have prepared you to serve as a school trustee member? Serving on the Parent & Impact Aid Committees has given me the skills to prepare me for school trustee member. I educated myself on the school district policies have become knowledgeable to where parents and community members have reached out to me for assistance.

4. Why do you feel voters should elect you as a school trustee?Fair, Honest, Integrity. I will be the leading voice for our people in community and will always be available at anytime. First and foremost the children our youth who need a leader who is capable of making a positive change for the betterment and education that our students receive at our district.

Donald J. Stuker, District #10 Chinook

(one three-year term open), non-incumbent.

1. What motivated you to run for a school trustee position? After moving back to Chinook a year ago, I was approached by several community members who felt I would be an asset on the school board, given my education and expertise. With careful thought, I agreed this is where I could make a meaningful contribution to our community. I want to help folks feel that all viewpoints are represented in considering what is best for our school, and to make sure our educators are supported in challenging our youth to learn and think critically.

2. If elected, what are your priorities? What changes you would like to see? My mentality is not one of “change”. I’m not running on a single issue that I want to influence. Instead, my priorities are reviewing current policies to ensure they meet our students’ needs in a rapidly changing world, and then ensuring that we are following our policies uniformly. I want to make sure our educators feel heard. I also want to engage in a broader discussion at the legislative level to see how we can address the insufficient state level funding for rural schools. Our youth need access to the arts and adequate mental health resources to ensure they thrive, but that cost cannot fall solely on our local taxpayers.

3. What experiences or skills have prepared you to serve as a school trustee member? I was a k-12 student in Chinook. I have over fourteen years of non-profit board experience, have lobbied and testified in front of the Montana State Legislature, and am no stranger to problem-solving and fundraising. I have a formal legal education and am a member of the State Bar of Montana. I engage in research, problem-solving, negotiation, and mediation daily in my professional life.

4. Why do you feel voters should elect you as a school trustee? I do not have students of my own, which means I’m not going to focus on individual grievances or only those policies which impact my student. I have the objectivity to look at the problems facing our district and to balance out the views of the other board members, ensuring that we are laying the foundations to navigate any and all changes our students and our district face down the road.