Candidates were asked to limit their responses to each of the following questions to 200 words or less.
Name: Audrey Swartz
Age: 39
Profession: Librarian
Incumbent: no
Do you have children or grandchildren who attend(ed) USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden schools? Yes, 2 daughters.
-Why are you running for school board? I am running because I want to make sure our children get the highest quality education we can possibly provide them. I want all our students and staff to feel welcome and supported within the district. One very effective way to do that is to be on the school board.
-Parental engagement and community involvement are crucial for the success of any school district. What strategies would you implement to increase collaboration between parents, citizens, and educators? I would love to see more meet and greets with board members and all community members. We need to be able to make ourselves available, outside our scheduled meetings, to meet with people and discuss their concerns and bring them back to all members. We need to be willing to have these hard conversations with the community and actively engage in events, be them community or school related. I want to sit down and talk and find solutions together.
-If you had one thing you could change about the USD 383 school district, what would it be? The mascot.
-What is your opinion of the USD 383 administration? Do you think you could work with the current administration moving forward? I feel that the current administration is doing the best they can with what has been provided to them and look forward to working with them on moving the district forward.
-What is your opinion of the current school board? Do you think you could compromise with the incumbents who will remain on the board? Again, I believe the current board is doing the best with what they have. I feel moving forward that I would be able to come to compromises with other members as long as we are all willing to listen and understand each other and are willing to move forward for the students.
-What do you think the board’s role should be in the day-to-day operations of the district? I think we should be very aware of the day to day of the schools and district. The only way we can address concerns or celebrate wins is if we know what is going on when & where. With this however we have to be cautious not to micromanage, only stepping in when appropriate to do so or asked to.
-Have you received money or in-kind donations from individuals, businesses, groups or PACs outside of the school district? Yes, I have received money from friends and family who are located outside of the district.