POLAND — There are six candidates vying for two four-year-terms on the Poland Board of Education, and each has set goals to achieve if elected.

Communication is the most common area of candidates’ concerns.

Incumbent Dr. Larry Dinopoulos, 58, a dentist, said he wants to “continue to build upon efforts to improve communication and transparency in the district among community members, faculty and staff, as well as students.”

“I bring 12 years of Board experience and historical perspective, almost 34 years of business experience along with strong leadership skills, dedication, and commitment. I have not hesitated in making the tough decisions whether they are popular or not,” he said. “My decisions have always been, and will continue to be, rooted in the best interest of the kids.”

Newcomer Michelle Elia, 44, said, “Accountability, transparency and communication are crucial.” She said those three areas keeps school boards focused on what matters — improving outcomes for all students. She is an education consultant.

“I currently advise schools across the country in literacy, special education and school improvement, and I want to be able to use this experience and knowledge in my community. I don’t have an agenda or platform other than doing what is best for students, to advocate for the best possible education. Students should be the focus, above all,” she said.

Newcomer Jaclyn Rausch, 41, an Educational Service Center supervisor, said she places a high priority on timely and relevant communication within the Poland schools, and with families and the broader community. She said one way to do a better job is by listening to those willing to speak up as well as soliciting opinions from teachers and building level staff.

Rausch said, “I believe we need to recommit to doing what is best for our students. This includes realistic planning if substantial changes are going to be made…. We need to look at future implications when making changes and plan ahead to ensure that our students’, teachers’, and families’ needs are going to be met.”

On transparency, newcomer Allison Mattson, 36, a physical therapist, said she would like to see “an annual state of the school district address with the community” as well as starting an alumni database.

Another common theme revolved around a strategic plan.

Mattson said: “I want to take part in developing a new strategic plan with 3-4 major and achievable goals with specific time frames for completion. These goals would focus on communication, curriculum, facilities, and technology and would keep what is best for the students in the district at the forefront.”

Elia said she believes having a vision for the future would be a major goal for school board leadership. “The creation and adoption of a strategic plan for the district will bring many voices (community, families, school leaders, teachers, and students) together to develop a collective vision and plan for the future of the district,” she said.

Newcomer Gregory Kibler said, ‘The strategic plan was put together several years prior to our global pandemic, where the priorities of the district have changed since then.” He believes the plan needs to be revisited, reviewed and a plan created for personnel shortages. Kibler, 37, is an assistant principal.

“(I am) an educator seeking an opportunity to utilize the diverse and unique set of skills to fully support students, families and communities in reaching their full potential and success,” he said.

Mattson said she would like to “gather community input, financial reports, and census data to develop a workable plan for all the school buildings.” She said it could involve options so every stakeholder could have a say in the future of the district’s buildings.

Dinopoulos said his plans for buildings would include building a state-of-the-art K-6 facility on the site of Baird Mitchell Field, and demolishing McKinley and North elementaries. The new K-6 facility would connect to the middle school and open up areas for community use.

From these more common pursuits, candidates listed items that were unique to their top three goals. Incumbent Gregg Riddle, 61, an insurance agent, said he is all about support.

“I want to support and encourage the superintendent,” Riddle said. “Then I want to support and encourage the treasurer. Finally, I want to cheer on the students, teachers and fine people that make Poland the excellent school system it is.”

Riddle said,”I am seeking another term to encourage the new superintendent and our treasurer to push forward with the many challenges that have been placed in our Forging the Bulldog Future plan.”

Kibler said his other goals include strengthening relationships and having equal educational experiences. He felt relationships help in gathering input and information to move the district forward. On the equal experiences, he said he wanted to “ensure policy that allows equal access and individualized opportunities for educational experiences….and encourage and develop best practices around differentiated learning that will benefit all.”

Elia’s third goal is to continue the journey the Poland schools is on regarding the science of reading. She said it involves a body of evidence that indicates how all children learn to read. She said it is an area she is “knowledgeable” in.

Dinopoulos said his third goal deals with experience. He said with a new superintendent, a new assistant superintendent, new director of operations, new transportation supervisor, new student services director, a new elementary school principal and three new inexperienced board members, there is a need for someone with experience. “The last thing the district needs is more change and instability,” he said.

Mattson’s final top-three goal involves academic achievement. She mentioned several areas she would like to work toward, including developing a financial literacy course, looking at other universities for College Credit-Plus programs, and ensuring all students in the district are given the same level of priority.

Rausch’s final two goals would be to first return to the “mission to educate, empower, and inspire every student at every opportunity” and she would be an advocate for smaller class sizes.