Havasu School Board Hopefuls Face Off in Engaging Election Forum

Lake Havasu City hosted a lively forum on Wednesday night for candidates vying for three seats on the Lake Havasu Unified School District board. The event took place at the high school’s Performing Arts Center, organized by the Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Today’s News-Herald and KNTR radio station.

Moderated by Brandon Bowers and Paul Lavoie, the forum featured a range of topics. Notably, Joe Bill Thomas was absent due to his trip to London, though a statement from him was read. The evening began with Andrea Helart, chamber president, introducing statements from congressional candidates Paul Gosar and Quacy Smith.

Candidates had sixty seconds for introductions, after which they answered multiple questions. Issues included their motivations for running, potential contributions, strategic planning for teacher recruitment and retention, and ways to enhance funding for early education. Candidate Rose emphasized the importance of maintaining a safe educational environment, stating, “We have a great school district, and we need to keep it that way.”

On strategic planning, he pointed out that direct engagement with teachers is vital, as many feel unheard within the system. To improve teacher recruitment, he suggested establishing scholarship funds for aspiring local teachers.

Incumbent Kyle Neidermann stressed fiscal responsibility during his remarks about the school’s budget, highlighting the need for effective use of funds. He noted that rebuilding post-pandemic teacher retention is critical, emphasizing that many teachers are continuously honing their skills.

Houston also addressed budget concerns, declaring the importance of prioritizing funds for teachers and classrooms. His approach to decision-making involves gathering input from front-line educators and considering both facts and community needs.

Kurn expressed his intent to engage with staff and students directly, integrating his engineering experience for a data-driven strategic plan. He advocates for professional development and benchmarking salary structures with those in comparable districts to improve teacher desirability.

Tinsley underscored the role of parental involvement, suggesting adaptations in budget discussions to foster dialogue with legislators. Similar to Kurn, she supports initiatives to ensure that local students have job opportunities within the district after graduation.

Saari identified the complex nature of school funding and its critical impact on student success. She highlighted her expertise in securing alternative funding and her commitment to retaining teachers by evaluating available support networks.

Each candidate provided insight into their vision for education in the community. Further profiles and detailed coverage of their responses are available on the Today’s News-Herald website.