VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The Valley City Public School board election will be held on June 9th.
Valley City resident, Arthur Frieze will be on the ballot. He is seeking the At-Large position. He has two jobs one at the Pizza Ranch in Valley City and another in Jamestown. He is the father of three girls and two boys.
A second individual Sherri Horsager is running as a write-in-candidate for the At-Large position a well. The Valley City native works as a Human Resource Director for the Open Door Center in Valley City. She is the mother of two children.
What motivated you to run for the school board?
I felt this was a great way to give back to my school and community as I have two young children in the school system and wish to ensure quality education for all students in our district.
What expertise would you bring to the board?
I have obtained a B.S. in Human Resources from Valley City State University, Certification from the Society of Human Resource Management as a Certified Professional as well as Certification from Minot State University in Developmental Disabilities. I have assisted on my church’s Staff Parish Committee as well as assisted with Vacation Bible School. Currently I am Open Door Center’s Human Resource Director.
What issues are you most concerned with/wish to change?
I am an advocate for teacher education and support, I also believe in accessibility of services for all students.
How do you believe the school board’s decisions impact the Valley City community as a whole?
Communication between the community and the School Board allows communities to have input into decision making that assists accessing and distributing resources that will promote student achievement, which has a positive impact on our community.
What in your life has prepared you for a leadership position like this?
Throughout my education and careers, I have learned that it is important to have continuous learning for personal and professional growth. I have also learned to work effectively with diverse populations of people; work as an effective team member, as well as the ability to communicate and navigate win-win solutions in difficult situations when needed.
What do you want the community to know about you before they go vote?
As a native of Valley City, a Hi-Liner alum, and a parent of 2 children in the school system, I would like to use my skills and abilities to assist the school and community as part of the School Board and would appreciate the communities support when they vote.
And Ryan Mathias is seeking another term on the school boards rural position. He and his wife Dawn have two girls and one boy. Ryan is employed with Thunderbird/Amberland Foods in Valley City.
Ryan Mathias.
What motivated you to run for the school board?
A desire to do something for our community that will help our students. I look at the changes to our school district over my 6 years on the board and I see much change. I have worked to bring more technology into the classrooms. We are providing more options for the students to be choice ready the day they leave our system.
What expertise would you bring to the board?
Graduating from VCSU with a BS in Education gives me an understanding of teaching and the working of a school system.
What issues are you most concerned with/wish to change?
Support for all of our programs in VCPS. We have a great support system but it can be better. I want to see sold out shows for the student drama productions, standing room only for football and basketball games, and interest by patrons in all activities. If we can get parents to show the interest the student body will support their schoolmates and our students can have a memorable school experience.
How do you believe the school board’s decisions impact the Valley City community as a whole?
If you look at your tax bill you’ll notice a large portion of your taxes go to our budget at VCPS so yes every time we approve a bill or make a decision to spend money it costs the tax payer. Keeping this in mind when we make these decisions is always taken in on our decision making.
What in your life has prepared you for a leadership position like this?
Have owned and operated my former business for 15 years gave me a background on budgeting and business finance. 6 years as a board member I’ve increased my knowledge of the inter workings of budget process and school finance.
What do you want the community to know about you before they go vote?
I’m a very accessible board member if people have a question or concern they can reach out to me and I’ll hear their concerns. Sometimes these concerns can’t be acted upon immediately or ever but I will at least listen and take all into consideration.
A candidates forum was held May 20th and two of the three candidates participated in the forum. Arthur Frieze declined to participate in the forum. The forum is available for our viewers below.