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Local Elections

Q&A: Litchfield school board candidates address learning loss

Posted 9/28/22

School districts across the country are dealing with learning loss after more than two years of pandemic-related disruptions. How do you plan to do to address learning loss in LESD schools at the …

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Local Elections

Q&A: Litchfield school board candidates address learning loss

Posted

Independent Newsmedia is providing ongoing coverage of school board races in cities across the Valley, including Litchfield Elementary School District, where three candidates are running for two seats on the board. As part of this coverage, Independent Newsmedia has sent out a list of questions asking candidates to weigh in on important issues facing their district.

One of the biggest challenges facing school districts across the Valley and nation is the issue of learning loss after years of pandemic disruptions. Candidates were asked to weigh in on how school districts should handle learning loss and how best to get students up to speed.  Below are the candidates' responses listed in alphabetical order by last name.  

Q: School districts across the country are dealing with learning loss after more than two years of pandemic-related disruptions. How do you plan to address learning loss in LESD schools at the governing board level? Please explain your reasoning and approach.

Dr. Dennis Dowling Incumbent

A: “The District must provide an aggressive academic remedial support program for struggling students to include mentors, personal tutors and expanded after-school and summer programs."

Q: School districts across the country are dealing with learning loss after more than two years of pandemic-related disruptions. How do you plan to address learning loss in LESD schools at the governing board level? Please explain your reasoning and approach.

Kimberly Moran Incumbent, board president 

A:“...The most important issue LESD is facing today is academic achievement. The pandemic impacted student achievement negatively. Specific programs have been implemented to close the gap in learning loss, such as tutoring, summer school and additional math interventions. The board also approved new district-wide math curriculum that is expected to positively impact student achievement. This curriculum was funded with pandemic relief dollars provided for the purpose of mitigating learning loss.  In addition, the board approved funding for 1:1 technology that is currently being rolled out to every student in the district.  Increased access to technology, including intervention and enrichment programs, are expected to positively impact student achievement. As a board member, I will continue to ensure accountability for taxpayer dollars spent on these programs by evaluating their effectiveness and impact on student achievement.”

Q: School districts across the country are dealing with learning loss after more than two years of pandemic-related disruptions. How do you plan to address learning loss in LESD schools at the governing board level? Please explain your reasoning and approach.

Ryan Owens

Photo caption: Ryan Owens (left) and his family  [Submitted photo]

A: “First, LESD needs to identify the amount of learning loss of each child so they can make a plan for each student. Students who need more assistance than others need to receive extra instruction, whereas other students should be allowed to advance and not slowed down. Identifying what programs have proven the most effective in providing quantifiable results to improve test scores and help students not only catch up but advance quickly with retained knowledge, versus teaching the test.

Do you have questions for the candidates? Send us an email at mackley@iniusa.org and we'll do our best to get your queries answered so you can vote informed!