Great Falls school board candidate: Teresa Schreiner
Name: Teresa Schreiner
Age: 33
Immediate family: Husband- Casey Schreiner (State Representative, HD 26; Director of Work Based Learning for Department of Labor and Industry) 3 boys- 1 enrolled in Great Falls School District at Early Learning Family Center/Skyline, Aiden, (4) and Liam, (2) and Finn (7 months)
Education: Bachelors of Arts degrees in philosophy and in criminology at Benedictine College- 2008; Graduate Health and Human Development in addiction counseling at MSU Bozeman- 2013
Occupation: Workforce Consultant, Department of Labor and Industry/Great Falls Job Service
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Why should you be selected for the open seat on the school board?
As a taxpayer and public servant, I am a cautious steward of tax dollars. I advocate to state representatives so that your voices are heard. As mom to three children who will all attend Great Falls Public Schools, you will find that I am open-minded, transparent and responsive. As a mother to two special needs children, I have had unique experience and success with a range of services in early childhood intervention and special education in our public schools. Endorsed by Great Falls Education Association, I advocate to ensure our students have a competitive advantage in academia and the workforce.
What do you feel are the biggest issues facing Great Falls Public Schools?
Great Falls Public Schools face several key issues as we head into the upcoming May and November election. First, we were recently confronted with a disastrous legislative session, from a state economy whose revenues have massively dwindled. With such a stark reduction in revenues, the burden has fallen to us, the local taxpayers, to cover the costs of our public education systems and operations. The additional problem, however, is that the narrative has become such that our school district is irresponsible with our local dollars, which is false.
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What changes would you most like to see in GFPS?
I’m not entering the race to actually change anything within Great Falls Public Schools, but rather hope to play a supporting role in building upon the great things that are already happening within the district. Whether it be the state-of-the-art preschool facility at the ELF Skyline Center, or our partnerships with businesses around our community giving students the opportunity to take part in internships and pre-apprenticeships, there are many great things going on in GFPS.
How will you handle consistently shrinking state allocations to the budget in the future?
We have seen a sharp decline in state funding, which has placed a heavy burden on local taxpayers. If I was elected as your future trustee, I would utilize my experience in advocacy and public speaking to represent our community and speak on behalf of the merits of our district. I have seen my son benefit from many therapies and special programs from his IEP; making me an avid supporter of our district, its staff and its programs. I will tirelessly argue that the burden should not fall on our wallets. Rather, the state should buck the share.
What should the relationship between the board and the taxpayers look like?
Being an elected official, a school board trustee demands a great deal of social, civic and fiscal responsibility. In this regard, public trust and communication is key. As your trustee, I pledge to understand, clarify and communicate the concerns of all our stakeholders to the board. I believe that Great Falls Public Schools has committed to continuous improvement, so it is my hope to continue this by unifying divergent viewpoints.
Do you see areas where the district can further cut costs?
It’s foolish to enter this position without having examined facts. My husband, a former educator, lost his position when a previous levy failed. With only two levies passing in the last 10 years, 80 school district positions were riffed. The cuts mentioned had direct impact on the workers, but studies show they also impact future wage earnings of the children in these classrooms, as sizes of classrooms increase as well. Seeing these compounded effects while working in Workforce Development, I understand how cuts have tremendous impact on our economy and are serious affairs that will require detailed and concerted analysis.
What does/should Great Falls Public Schools offer students to make them competitive against students from Montana’s other AA school districts?
The success of our local economy hinges on the future of a growing and dynamic workforce. Montana has a worker shortage, particularly having the oldest workforce in the nation. As such, we are at an advantage at Great Falls Public Schools as we are utilizing so many career pathways and work-based learning opportunities. Having direct experience with local businesses and community partners in my position in the Department of Labor, I consistently receive feedback regarding our partnerships with businesses and the colleges with respect to these programs. We are promoting work ethic while teaching the practical value of education.
What do you feel is the appropriate way for the district to handle student concerns about school safety and potential walkouts/protests/demonstrations in the future?
Continuous process improvement is key in a world with changing technologies. Part of this process involves receiving feedback and suggestions on behalf of all stakeholders, including our community members, educators, staff, parents and our students. Maintaining an open-door policy and an environment that allows for safe communication will set the tone for cooperation and an engaged community. This means ensuring a proactive, rather than a reactive approach. Additionally, the United States has a long and storied history of students/young people engaging in appropriate civil discourse, this should be encouraged.