Published in the Aug. 14, 2007, edition of the Post-Record

Candidates seek change at Mt. Pleasant
Top two primary candidates will move on to General Election

By Heather Acheson
Post-Record staff

Three individuals are on the Aug. 21 Primary Election ballot as candidates for the position 4 seat on the Mount Pleasant School Board.

Thomas G. Schlatter and Scott M. Kepner are running against incumbent Brandy Audette. The candidates are seeking approval from the approximately 250 registered voters who live within the boundaries of the district, in Clark and Skamania counties. The top two vote getters will move on to the General Election in November.

The kindergarten through sixth-grade school district, which has been embroiled in its fair share of controversy recently, educates approximately 60 students, 75 percent of whom live outside of the district.

Thomas G. Schlatter

Schlatter and his wife Rozalind moved their family to Skamania County in July 2005, after learning about the attributes of the Mount Pleasant School District, which included impressive standardized test scores and small class sizes.

The couple has four children — an 11-year-old who recently completed the sixth grade at Mount Pleasant, a 5-year-old who will start kindergarten there in the fall, and a 3-year-old and a 10-month old.

Recent controversies surrounding the firing of the school district’s longtime superintendent, the resignation of two teachers, as well as criticism of the board’s policies and practices convinced Schlatter that a change in leadership was needed.

“I have an interest in the education of my children,” he said. “Because of recent events, it caused me to have concerns and a lack of confidence in the present school board.”

Schlatter, 49, said he believes the current board has failed to communicate effectively with all concerned parties — from teachers and community members to parents.

“What I plan on doing is to work intensely on opening the lines of communication,” he said. “I want to get a process in place where it is sure that communication lines will be established.”

Board meetings, he said, are not structured and leave little room for public input. All parents, whether they live inside or outside of the school district boundaries, should be heard.

Another major issue the school district is facing is the potential loss of approximately $226,650 of its $677,558 annual budget once Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act funds run out.

When asked about this issue, Schlatter said soliciting input from the community about possible solutions should be the first priority. In addition, there should be more diligent stewardship of the funds that are available.

“I am not in favor of any kind of a levy at this point without looking at other options first,” he said.

Schlatter, who earned a bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University and has worked with the Department of Treasury for 21 years, believes his professional experience would be an invaluable asset if elected to the school board. His profession, he said, requires partnering with stakeholders and developing clear visions and paths forward in an effort to achieve a goal.

“We need to look at the big picture and have a school that is run as efficiently as possible for all stakeholders involved,” he said. “Getting people on board requires partnering with all stakeholders to make sure everybody is clear on a vision about where the district needs to go.”

Scott M. Kepner

Scott Kepner believes his experience as a business owner and ability to communicate effectively with others will be assets to the school district, should he be elected to the school board in November.

The 39-year-old earned a bachelor’s degree from Portland State University and a doctorate at Oregon State University. He has been practicing small animal veterinary medicine for 11 years, and has owned Riverview Animal Hospital in the Fisher’s Landing area of Vancouver for the past four.

Kepner and his family moved to Skamania County from Gresham, Ore., two years ago — not realizing what a great school district was right in their back yard. Currently, he and wife Danielle have three children enrolled at the school — ages 5, 6 and 11.

Kepner said he decided to run for the elected position out of frustration with the current school board.

“The board has no organization or structure,” he said. “They don’t understand how a board operates and runs. Policies are not followed.”

Kepner said many of the district’s current problems have been caused by this lack of organization, structure and financial accountability.
To rectify that situation, Kepner said the district should seek advice from neighboring school districts and other professional agencies that have experience and knowledge to help the board get on the right path toward making sure regulations and laws are followed.

Personality differences between some parents and school board members, he said, are also to blame for recent conflicts. If elected, Kepner would support organizing open community meetings with parents, community and the board to rectify some of those issues. He also suggests that hiring an outside arbitrator to sit down with parents and the school board would be a step in the right direction.
“We need someone in there with some fresh ideas,” he said.

When asked about the school’s funding shortage issues that could be caused if federal funds disappear, Kepner said the district is already in a crisis because there are no contingency plans in place.

Asking the voters to approve a levy could be a possibility down the road, he said, but Kepner believes the board needs to investigate other ways it can conserve funding immediately, including the possibility of outsourcing transportation to the Washougal School District.

“It is my goal to make sure we find alternatives to that funding without cutting programs,” he said.

Brandy L. Audette

Audette did not return phone messages or e-mails from the Post-Record.

In the Skamania County Elections voter’s pamphlet, however, the incumbent candidate states that she has been a longtime member of the community who has served the district since 2000.

According to her statement, she is involved with Skamania County 4-H, Washougal Boosters, and is the coach for the 2007-08 Washougal High School equestrian team.

As proof of her success, Audette cites the district’s new kindergarten and band programs, and the addition of a playground.
“I am proud to be a part of so many improvements to our district and I’m not afraid to face challenges ahead,” her statement said.