Meet the School Board Candidates

Editor’s note: The Roseville Patch invited each of the six candidates for District 623 School Board to respond to a brief questionnaire listing their qualifications for the job and priorities for the district.  Today we feature Kaying Thao, who is seeking her first term on the school board.

 Roseville Patch: Where do you work?

Kaying Thao: I am a full-time graduate student at Metropolitan State University in the Master of Public and Nonprofit Administration program. For the past four years, I have performed contract work with various nonprofit organizations in the Twin Cities, with focus on areas such as community development, economic development, housing programs, civic engagement, and fund development.

Roseville Patch: What are your qualifications for the position you are seeking?

Thao: I believe school board membership needs to embody the diversity of perspectives reflective of the community it serves.  Having representation from many stakeholder groups in the community is important to ensure many voices are heard and all options are considered in making administrative decisions.  My experience as an alumna of Roseville Area Schools, as a parent of three Central Park students, and as a seasoned staff member to both public schools and higher education institution administration gives me a perspective on the needs and concerns of parents, teachers, and others and those who seek to serve them.

I have an earnest desire to encourage a more transparent decision- making process. The most effective manner to make decisions is to provide a clear context through absolute disclosure of the factors influencing the decision. This is particularly true in a public forum of a school district. I have perfected great skills for building relationships between the public and private sectors, foundations, organizations, educational institutions, and various communities, and am often highly praised for my versatile and outgoing interpersonal skills.  

I have experience breaking down assumptions and biases, and reaching out to community members who are often under-represented.  I stand confident that my skills, talents, influences, networks and resources will be much appreciated. I will execute service above and beyond all ISD 623’s needs and goals, as well as bring fresh and creative perspectives and ideas in order to advance the mission and vision.

Roseville Patch: What do you think are the most important issues facing District 623?

Thao:  There are many important issues facing the district, including:

• Lack of culturally inclusive curriculum and culturally responsive teaching programs;
• Achievement Gap - language barriers for new immigrants/refugees.  We need bilingual assistants in every ELL classroom…language, behavior, sense of belonging increased/improved;
• Community outreach and engagement to increase involvement/ family participation;
• Communications: make it transparent so that various platforms are utilized to communicate with families;
• Social programming and services for special education learners/students; having an IEP is NOT enough;
• Food and nutritional services – collaborate with local farmers for fresh produce; less processed foods;
• Create and implement a program to attract staff and teachers of color; retention program/initiative;
• Budget - creating revenue to reduce operating debt and save money;
• Manage to keep teaching positions; increase support services;
• Cultural liaisons to support schools, provide adult services and education/community education;
• Literacy initiatives and programs;
• Maintaining high expectations for teachers and constant teacher collaboration with specialists to help target students;
• Intervention – anything a teacher is doing to meet a need for students, documents; prevents falling behind late in the game and labeling children.

Note: Click the names below for more candidate profiles