Five candidates running for two trustee positions in Malta School election

The Malta School District Trustee election will be Tuesday, May 6. Five individuals have filed for two trustee positions. The Phillips County News recently submitted four questions to the candidates and each gave the written response below. It is the PCN's hope that these candidate profiles will assist the voters in making well informed decisions on which two candidates will be voted in as school district trustees.

Editor's note: The candidates are listed below in the order that the answers to the questions were received at the PCN office.

Beth Welch

Tell us about yourself:

Hello! I am Beth Welch. I was born and raised in Malta. I also attended the Malta School District from Kindergarten through 12th grade graduation. After graduating from Malta High School I attended college and earned a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Nursing. Initially after earning my Bachelor's degree I worked in Billings at the Billings Clinic for 6 years. From Billings we moved back to Malta to raise our children in the Community of Malta and in the Malta School System. I then worked at the Phillips County Hospital in Malta for 4 years. I currently work as a Registered Nurse in the Fort Belknap Emergency Room, and have been employed there for approximately 2 years. I am married to Jerry R. Welch, and we have three children; Ostin a freshman, Zachary a 4th grader and Hailey, a Kindergartener. We are also expecting our 4th child in July.

What is your motivation for running for school board?

My motivations in running for school board are my strong sense of community, and currently having three children in the Malta School District. I want to contribute in the decisions that will affect our children, our schools, and our community. As a Malta Alumni with a strong sense of community, I understand that as a school board member I will be a resource for the community. I want to serve the community and the school district on the school board to sustain a learning rich environment for our children. I want to ensure our schools are an environment where our children can flourish intellectually, express themselves, and enhance their self-esteem. The school system plays an important role in preparing our children for adulthood. Like every parent, I want what's best for our children.

What issues concern you in education?

Safety for our children is a very real issue, and cause for great concern in today's society. There are many insecurities, including internal issues and external dangers that must be continuously addressed. The students and staff must be educated on plans and protocols.

Bullying Prevention: Any form of bully is a great concern in any environment and must be addressed.

Funding is always a dilemma in any institution and the allocation of funds must be delegated responsibly.

Prevent children from "slipping" through the cracks: To ensure that all children who come through the Malta School District are literate or educated to the best of their capability, and not "left behind". Many courses in education are the foundation for other courses. For example, fluent reading skills and comprehension of those reading skills is an important foundation for all future courses in education. Algebra I is the precursor and foundation of knowledge for Algebra II.

Retaining a "small town" support system: Attending a school in a small town can be beneficial. In general, small town school staff is usually more aware of students living situations and their family circumstances. That knowledge can be utilized in a positive manner to support, encourage, and ensure that each child is successful and productive.

What skills/attributes make you a good school board candidate?

I feel I have many qualities that could be utilized for the maintenance and positive direction of the Malta School Board.

Being a mom with three children in the Malta School System from Malta Grade School to Malta High School gives me an insight into the schools infrastructure, and a greater understanding of weakness and strengths that exist within the school system.

As a college graduate I recognize and understand what tools are necessary for our children to succeed beyond high school. I want to ensure our children are prepared for college or for whatever vocation they may choose.

I also have been a head varsity coach for the Malta School District. That experience has given me insight and an intimate knowledge into the extracurricular component of the school system.

As a registered nurse, part of my education encompassed child development, psychology, effective communicating skills, and effective tools in education. All of which will be invaluable assets in serving on the Malta School Board.

Finally, attending and graduating from the Malta School District has given me a strong sense of loyalty and pride. I have holistic experience that would benefit the Malta School District, and allow me to be a valuable resource for the community. I would consider it an honor to support our children, and a privilege to serve our school district, and our community.

Thayne Mackey

Tell us about yourself:

I was born in Polson Montana, attended school in Florence and I am married, have two kids in the school system. My wife and I farmed for 12 years south of Dodson, Cattle, Sheep and Grain. We now operate a small business east of town and have a small valley place. I have two AA degrees from Montana State University and a Bachelor's degree from U of M. I served on the Dodson School board for 3 years.

What is your motivation for running for school board?

I have two kids in the school system, a 4th grader and an 8th grader. I want to see they and their classmates are prepared for what comes after high school, be it college, a job, technical training or military. I want our kids to be prepared to go out in to the world and succeed at whatever they choose to do.

I want to see more illumination of the actions of the school board and administration. I think as tax payers we need to be aware of where our money is going and to be certain it is used for the best interests of educating our kids.

What issues concern you in education?

I am concerned that we are not getting the best use of our tax dollars for the education of our kids. I think our kids are not as well prepared for what comes after high school as they should be. I think we have so many 'hoops and regulations' to run through our teachers are being hampered trying to educate our kids. I think we need more resources to go to the class rooms.

What skills/attributes make you a good school board candidate?

I am experienced, having spent 3 years on the Dodson school board. I am not afraid to ask questions and make sure I have a good understanding of what is going on. As a small business owner, I am experienced in making a few dollars run a long way and get the most bang for the buck. I will be able to be a good liaison between the teachers, board and administration.

Gaelen Curtis

Tell us about yourself:

I am Gaelen Curtis, a resident of Phillips County since 1970. I moved here as a new bride of Dr. James Curtis. I was raised in the military, living half my life overseas and half my life in the U.S. In fact, I met my husband, A Captain in the U.S. Army Veterinary Corps (Sentry Dogs), in Seoul, Korea.

After moving to Malta, I taught grades 1 through 8 in a country school for two years before starting my family and helping my husband at the Phillips County Veterinary Clinic. My three children, now adults, all graduated out of the Malta Public School system.

At the veterinary clinic, I was involved with all aspects of clinical activities including grooming dogs, developing x-rays, surgical assistant and secretary/bookkeeper. I also substitute taught in the Malta Public School system until being hired as a full time art teacher in the Junior and Senior High in 1988.

I taught for the next twenty years taking one year off to earn my Master's Degree in Art History. In 2004, and then again in 2007, I organized and accompanied students on art tours throughout Europe. This was an extremely rewarding and inspiring experience not only for the students but also for myself.

Although I retired from teaching in May of 2007, my love for education and the students of Malta Public Schools continued and has since been rewarded by my participation on the Malta School Board for the past six years.

What is your motivation for running for school board?

My motivation to run for the school board stemmed from my 26 year experience in the public school system and on the school board itself. I would appreciate the opportunity to continue serving the community in this capacity. My focus is to provide the best education for the students of Malta and to be financially responsible to the tax payers who support our schools.

What issues concern you in education?

One of the major issues that concerns me is continuing to assure that our school is providing the best education possible for our students. Currently, our curriculum is set by the local teachers, principals, superintendents and school board trustees. I presently serve on the curriculum committee and as a past educator and current school board member I feel I bring considerable experience and expertise to this area. I am also on the personal committee and have the privilege of helping select new, qualified staff members.

Another issue of concern is that our schools provide a safe environment four our students so they may continue developing to their full potential without concern for their well-being. The Malta schools have made great strides in curtailing the bullying issue. We have, with much success, instituted a bullying program in the schools to combat the problem. Bullying can be silent, insidious and infectious. It takes the whole community working together to stop the problem.

What skills/attributes make you a good school board candidate?

I feel I am most qualified to serve on the Malta School Board because of my experience in the private business sector, my experience as a teacher in the classroom and my years of experience as a school board trustee. I am broad minded and passionate about what I believe in and will continue to serve to the best of my ability.

Jamie Jones

Tell us about yourself:

I'm married and have four boys. I work for Tricia's Trader and I'm a full time mom.

What is your motivation for running for school board?

I'm very involved with my children in their education and activities. If there is going to be a decision made that is going to affect my child, or any child for that matter, I want to be able to help make the best decision for them.

What issues concern you in education?

Education is the best tool a child can have to succeed in life. Kids have to learn a lot more, at an earlier age and at a quicker rate. I just want our schools to have all options available to help kids at every learning level.

What skills/attributes make you a good school board candidate?

I have two kids in school and two kids that will be in school eventually. I was raised here and graduated from here. I like to see both sides and measure pros and cons before making a decision.

Rockland J. Tollefson

Tell us about yourself:

I was born and raised in Malta, graduating from MHS in 2001. After graduating from Rocky Mountain College in 2006 I moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho to work as a public accountant. I got married to Jenny Jorgenson in 2007. We now have two boys, Jace and Jaxson. In 2008, my wife and I moved back to Billings. Rocky Mountain College hired me as a business professor and I worked in that position for five years. In the spring of 2013 we moved to Malta so I could work at Malta Ready Mix and we could be closer to our families.

What is your motivation for running for school board?

I think Malta Public Schools prepared me well for college and I want to make sure that it continues for the upcoming generations.

What issues concern you in education?

I think that it is very important to keep up with today's standards in education. Getting into college is not as easy of a task as people think. When students have a solid foundation from high school it makes achieving that goal much easier.

What skills/attributes make you a good school board candidate?

I have an undergraduate degree in Business Management and a Master of Accountancy. I worked at Rocky Mountain College for five years as a business professor. While at RMC I served on an admissions committee that decided which students we felt were most suited for college if they did not have grades or test scores that met our minimum standards. I also served as the faculty representative on the finance committee which dealt with many budget issues at the school.