Noxon School Board Candidates

NAME: Andrew Chaboya Cabaccang

AGE: 54

EDUCATION: Proud graduate of Noxon High School ('82); Gonzaga University

OCCUPATION: Political strategist

What characteristics make you a good candidate for the school board? 

What makes me a "good" candidate? I know my way around financial statements and budgets. But if one were to ask me what makes me an "excellent" candidate; my communication skills. I'm comfortable talking one on one and in a group setting. I'm an empathetic listener and action oriented.

What kind of relationship should the board have with its community?

A successful board member must be approachable. They need to be out in the community getting perspectives from all students, teachers, parents, and community members. Most Mondays you can find me at the Senior Citizen Center for dinner and Tuesdays and Fridays volunteering at the food bank.

What is the biggest responsibility for a school board member?

To stay engaged. Just this past year the board failed to include the levy in the budget costing students $15,000 in technology funding. They let the students down, as well as the voters who overwhelmingly approved the measure. In another perceived lack of engagement, it took multiple months of "public comments" before they tackled the idea of bringing back the cheerleader program. The board needs to be both responsible and responsive.

What issue in the district's Strategic Plan excites or concerns you most?

Definitely Goal Area 4: Positive and Inclusive School Culture and Climate. Promote student leadership; improve relationships with all stake holders; equipping students with social/emotional skills to better handle challenges in life that's what gets me excited. My concern; I know in the past strategic plans end up on a shelf and collect dust. It's imperative that all stake holders take ownership and strive for the goals outlined.

What would you like voters to know about you? 

Thanks to the Ledger for the opportunity to introduce myself to those who don't know me. I'd like to let them know I offer what no other candidate can: Institutional history knowledge coupled with 35 years of personnel, accounting, marketing, sales and management experience. I'm a proud product of the Noxon school system. It's there I gained the foundation for success. I'm ready to take those skills to ensure the needs of the students are met for the next three years. If readers would like to reach me, my email address is [email protected] or I can be reached by phone (406) 847-2314.

NAME: Chris Stough

EDUCATION: Bachelor's Degree in Science, State College of Florida; Associates in Liberal Arts, State College of Florida; Certificate Statistics and Analysis, Regis University

OCCUPATION: Contractor for the Department of Defense.

What characteristics make you a good candidate for the school board?

Over the last 20+ years, I have had the opportunity to serve on many different types of professional boards and advise at various levels of organizations in the public, private, and academic sectors, respectively. I believe these experiences will introduce positive tools and resources that will prove to be beneficial to our district. Outside of that, I truly want each student at Noxon to achieve their highest level of success. I have three children attending Noxon School, and it's been a privilege to be involved with various school activities; and we know that children want direction, involvement, and attention. Their minds crave learning. As a board member, I would be hands on!

What kind of relationship should the board have with its community?

As a member of the school board, I feel that a deeply engaged relationship with the community is paramount to the success of any academic organization. It is only through this type of relationship, that we can collaborate on the expressed needs of our district; and through this conjoined effort, foster further growth and achievement within the administration, the teaching staff, and the students. As a parent, I have been, and will continue to be heavily involved in my children's education. Anything I can offer the school to nurture academic growth, I am happy to give.

What is the biggest responsibility for a school board member?

The biggest responsibility of any school board member is to be connected with the community while exemplifying strong values held important by the academic institution. We as board members are are entrusted with decisions affecting the most cherished part of our community – that being our children. We are placed in a leadership role that demands respect from the community, our parents, and specifically, our children. We must be vigilant in our efforts to ensure that our representation is worthy of such trust.

What issue in the district's Strategic Plan excites or concerns you most?

I very excited about all of the framework for strategic planning within the district. With a plan we can establish goals and measure progress; and progress is what we want. I have reviewed the Strategic Plan in some detail identifying with several key components. Each of them is outlined below:

Core Values: It is imperative for an academic institution to have solid core values and metrics to gauge adherence to those values. The organization also must have contingencies to ensure those values are being maintained by the entire organization to include board members, administration, teachers, parents and students. It is critical that everyone understands that these values represent the foundation for a consistent and unified effort within our school.

Positive and Inclusive School Culture and climate: Within every organization, a positive and inclusive environment is necessary to accomplish progress. The major component of this is communication. Community outreach and functions sponsored by the school can foster outside-venue discussions that have been proven to nurture synergy. Community & School events focusing on Music, STEM projects & Theater, for example, that fosters interaction between parents and students can often broaden perspectives and introduce new aspirations within students, teachers and parents alike. I would like to see more of this.

School Safety: School safety is a personal area of expertise. With a background in homeland security, I have assisted in organizing multi-agency active shooter and school safety exercises in both K-12 and collegiate venues. I have developed safety planning exercises for school administrators and can pull from vast resources to conduct such exercises at Noxon School. My goal would be to ensure our children and school staff are safe during their educational experience.

What would you like voters to know about you?

My most passionate goal is to develop a culture within our school and, most importantly, within each student, to aspire to be better. I'm certain those who know me understand that I am a big proponent of transparency - I firmly believe in exhibiting mutual respect while always supporting honest and forward dialogue on the issues. Should the community wish for changes that enhance education within the district; then, as with any change, tough discussions must be had. I hold in highest regard, honesty, integrity, respect, and a fierce commitment to our children; after all, they are the legacy that we leave behind and the future of our world.

NAME: Tamra Weltz

AGE: 45

EDUCATION: Noxon High School, University of Montana, Bachelor's Degree in Social Work

OCCUPATION: Patient Service Representative at Thompson Falls Family Medicine

What characteristics make you a good candidate for the school board?

I believe I have several traits that make me a great candidate for the Noxon School Board. First and foremost, I am a graduate of Noxon High School (Go, Fight, Win for '91!) and have lived back here since 1999, raising our children here. We currently have a senior and junior at Noxon and we all "bleed" Red Devil red! Second, I currently hold the trustee position that is up for re-election, after being chosen and voted in by the board in November 2018. I was chosen by the board over the two other candidates that are currently running for the position again. I have participated in the school board meetings as a community member regularly since our children started school. With that information, I feel like the characteristics that make me a great candidate are my commitment to our students, staff and community, my honesty and my desire to continue learning and growing as a trustee.

What kind of relationship should the board have with its community?

I believe the board trustees should have an "open" relationship with the community. Our current Superintendent has been paving the way to transparency since his arrival and I appreciate that approach and would like to follow his lead. One of the benefits of living in our smaller community, although we are spread out across a fairly large area, is our ability to get to know one another. I regularly attend sporting events and as many community events as possible. If you see me out and about, don't hesitate to come and talk with me. I can't promise I can personally get results you want, that is a board decision, but I will always promise to hear you out.

What is the biggest responsibility for a school board member?

Since being voted on to the school board in November of 2018, I find that one of the most overwhelming decisions is voting on how to responsibly spend our taxpayer's money, while keeping in mind what is best for our students and staff. I feel we are asked to approve spending to keep our school current and up to date, giving students the best opportunity to succeed in academics and extracurricular activities, hire and retain quality teachers and administrators, all while keeping in mind how this has a direct impact on the taxes of all of our community members. I strive to continue to learn and gain as much knowledge on issues prior to making a decision and always attempt to make my mind up based on how it will impact the development and preparedness of our students, and how it may impact our entire community.

What issue in the district's Strategic Plan excites or concerns you most?

I may be one of the few "community members" that participated in every strategic plan meeting there was, then participated in the last session as a board member. The issue that probably both excites and concerns me the most would be a more personalized learning track for students. This excites me because I think it provides such a variety of options to students if we can think "outside the box" and less traditional. It concerns me only because of our rural area and possible limitations within our school of our ability to see this through to the final stage. I think the goals listed in our strategic plan are definitely attainable but my only concern about it would be making sure not to lose sight of these goals in such a long-term process.

What would you like voters to know about you?

I would like people to know that I have the best interest of our students at heart. I make every attempt to keep myself informed and educated on the issues presented on the agenda for every school board meeting. Part of keeping myself informed would include hearing from community members on things they feel are going well, questions they may have or concerns. I will always try to be a voice for our community! I guess another important aspect I want you to know about me is that I didn't choose to run for school board to be heard on any specific issue or topic, either time I ran for the board. I have no special agenda. I simply felt I could make a difference while being involved and helping our school! I promise to work hard for the students, staff and for the community we live in and that I love. I would appreciate your vote to keep me in my current board trustee position. Thank you!