Both of the candidates running in the Nov. 7, 2023, general election for Adams 12 Five Star Schools Board of Education District 5 — Ben Helgeson (nonpartisan) and Alexis Marsh-Holschen (nonpartisan) — completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office.
Here are the candidates’ responses to the question: What is the primary job of a school board member in your view?
Helgeson:
“The primary job of a school board member, in my view, is to serve as a representative and advocate for the community’s educational interests. The way this is done is by to ensuring that every student has access to a high-quality education, that the district operates efficiently, and that the needs and concerns of parents, students, teachers, and the broader community are addressed. Board members must foster a positive learning environment, uphold educational standards, and work to build trust and transparency between the school district and its stakeholders such as parents.”
Marsh-Holschen:
“First and foremost, the board needs to be accessible and transparent. In our current political environment, there is a lot of fear, and as we continue to emerge from the COVID era, there is a lot of anger. Those issues need to be met with a board who listens, engaging with each of these stakeholders regularly will be a priority. However, the shape that engagement takes depends largely on the unique needs of each group.”
Click on the candidates’ profile pages below to read their full responses to this and other questions.
We ask all federal, state, and local candidates with profiles on Ballotpedia to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Ask the candidates in your area to fill out the survey.
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