Photo by Clay Schuldt The League of Women Voter School Board forum was well attended. Candidates sitting from left are: Jo-el Flitter, Steve Gag, Amanda Groebner, Melissa Sunderman, Nicholas Thiel and Michael Thom. They took turns answering questions provided by LWV moderator Carolyn Dobler (standing right) and assistant moderator Evelyn Solo (standing left).

NEW ULM — The meeting room at the New Ulm Public Library was packed Wednesday night for the League of Women Voters (LWV) District 88 School Board candidate forum.

Seven candidates are seeking three seats in November. The candidates are Steve Gag, Melissa Sunderman and Amanda Groebner, Jo-el Flitter, Michael Thom, Nicholas Thiel and Gigi (Germaine) Rysdahl.

The election has drawn more interest than any previous School Board election in recent memory. Equity, inclusion and diversity were the top issues, dividing the candidates with the incumbents, with Gag, Sunderman and Groebner in support of these philosophies as a strategic plan for the district, and the challengers all opposed them to varying degrees.

Of the seven candidates, only six were able to attend. Rysdahl was absent, attending an event before her son’s wedding.

The candidates were asked how they would further the district’s strategic action plan to advance equity, inclusion and diversity in the school.

Gag, Groebner and Sunderman supported efforts to advance this policy. Sunderman explained the board had gone through training on these topics and engaged in conversation with community members on what is needed. The next phase would bring this information to educators and staff.

“It is important to take everyone’s consideration and view into perspective when we are discussing this,” he said.

Gag said it was about making things better for everyone.

“We just want every student to succeed to the best of their ability,” he said.

Gag believed the training the board took on equity, inclusion and diversity gave the members a better perspective to understand the issue.

Groebner said these issues cover all socio-economic dynamics that students come from and learning about them helps create a better learning environment.

She cited the curb-cut approach. Curb-cuts and ramps were invented to help disabled people, but the cuts have benefited other people. Groebner said equity, inclusion and diversity are not taking away anything from others, but creating a better environment.

The challenger candidates were less in favor of equity, inclusion and diversity.

Thom was against equality, inclusion and diversity. He said opposing this strategic action was at the heart of why he was running for the board. Thom did not want these issues to be the focus of the board if elected and would encourage the board to scrap it as an action plan. He wanted to emphasize excellence and appreciation.

“We don’t want divisiveness in our school, and this is a breeding ground,” Thom said.

Flitter stated she believed in treating everyone equally but felt equity was tilting the playing field, giving others more advantages over others. She believed it was well-intended but thought it was breeding resentment, and divisiveness. She wanted to calm the waters and find a better way to make all children treated the same.

Thiel split the difference. He agreed that everyone’s point of view was valid, but was against focusing on minority views at the expense of the majority. He was willing to support training for counselors and staff, but said, “I don’t feel that pushing the small problem of some onto a greater majority of people.”

Equity, inclusion and diversity were brought up again when the candidates were asked about the greatest issue facing the school.

Thom again cited equity, inclusion and diversity as the biggest issues. He compared equity, inclusion and diversity to Soviet Union practices. He stopped short of calling board members communists by saying they were not consciously leading the district in this direction and likely had good intentions.

Later, on a question about supporting teachers, Thom said the greatest source of stress among teachers was being forced to train equity, inclusion and diversity as it violates their conscience. He believed this approach was driving away teachers.

Thiel also spoke against equity, inclusion and diversity as top issues. He said these issues along with critical race theory were taking a front burner in the schools.

“It is almost like the majority who don’t feel that way are being forced to walk a mile in their shoes when they don’t feel that way,” he said. “I don’t think it is a big problem in this community as some make it out to be.”

Thiel took a different approach to support teachers. He believed they needed more financial support. Thiel believed teachers should not have to buy supplies for the classroom out of their own pocket, especially since they already have low salaries.

Flitter believed the schools needed to learn basic skills. She was concerned with a drop in MCA proficiency scores.

“We need to get back to the basics,” she said, so students can function out in the world after they graduate.

Sunderman believed mental health, and social and emotional behavior of students were the greatest issues in the school. She wanted to make sure the students get the help they needed.

“Mental health is so important these days,” she said. “We need to continue to take strides.”

Gag believed student engagement was important coming out of the COVID pandemic. He said it is a major concern in the community. He believed that is why so many were interested in the school board now.

“If we can get students re-engaged, behaviors will improve at schools,” he said.

Another stark divide between the incumbents and challengers was the question of whether they supported the school referendum on the ballot this November. The district is seeking to renew an expiring operating levy through a vote. The levy currently provides $1.8 million annually but expires in 2023 if voters do not approve it.

All three incumbents stated “yes” that they would support the referendum.

All three challengers did not commit to supporting or not supporting. Each said: “it depends”.

The forum proceeded in an orderly fashion until the final question regarding busing. The candidates were asked if they would consider expanding bus service within the two-mile students of the schools.

Thom went off topic, trying to about the petition on gender identity he presented to the school board months ago. The forum moderator Carolyn Dobler cut him off, saying he was violating the rules of the forum. Thom had the option of bringing this issue up in his closing statement but chose not to.

The other five candidates were willing to consider busing but acknowledged it might not be financially feasible. Gag said busing was cut 12 years ago. Those within two miles of school must find alternative rides. However, Gag said if a school or bus company is called for a ride, a student can get one.

“It hasn’t been as bad as expected,” Gag said.

During closing statements, Flitter urged everyone to help take back the wheel and bring back Eagle Pride to the district.

Gag asked for votes because he was the best candidate, asking voters to consider the great things that have happened in the district in the last 12 years.

Groebner said she is passionate about education and excited about the future of the district and proud of what was accomplished in the last four years.

Sunderman said she is proud of how the board works together and worked to ensure no one child is more important than another. Staff and administration were valued and were important to keep the district strong.

Thiel said he was the best candidate because he listens and was not a “yes-man.” He believed the board needs free-individual thinkers who listen to those who voted them into office.

Thom compared the school district to a garden. If voters see the district as all roses, they won’t vote for him.

“If you see it as a place where weeds are growing up that needs to be attended to and removed and addressed–then that’s why I am running,” he said.

The forum will be rebroadcast on New Ulm Cable Access Television as well as KNUJ.