Washington County Language Immersion Council

2016 Washington County School Board of Education

Candidate Questionnaire
Candidates Name: Richelle Holt Nelson
District: #1
1. Please tell us a little about yourself and why you have filed to run for Washington County
School District Board of Education?

For the past 30 years, I have spent my career working to improve the quality of
education for our students in Washington Co. I have worked as a classroom
teacher and a school counselor in intermediate, middle and high schools throughout
the county and retired this May. However, my passion for education will not retire
with my position. I care deeply about the quality of education our students here in
our country receive. I believe I bring a unique ability to couple my education
experience along with my business background (I have owned and operated a small
business for the past 12 years) to enhance the Washington County School District.
I believe that students must come first in this district, and I would like to lend my
hand in making sure that happens. I have no hidden agenda. I realize that
parents and students in our county have a choice when it comes to education, but I
plan to do everything in my power to make sure that our students, who make
Washington County School District their choice, receive the highest quality
education possible. I am willing to spend the time and effort necessary to make
sure that happens. As a mother of five children (four graduates of Washington
Co. School District and one who is a Junior at SCHS), and grandmother of five with
one more arriving soon, I know the importance education plays in the lives of
families, our community, and even our world. I want to do my part to improve our
families, our community and our world.
2. What kinds of experiences have you had with the schools in Washington County School
District?
My school experience is rather vast. In addition to the obvious experience in my roles as
teacher and counselor, I have also served on many additional committees to improve
quality education throughout the years. During my years in middle school, I served on
many district committees as we worked to improve the nature of middle schools and
changed them from mini high schools to true middle schools. As I transitioned to the
high school level, I serve as member of the District Advisory Committee for all counselors
in the district. Ive been instrumental in developing and implementing different evaluation
tools for counselors throughout the years and have served on various committees to
implement those. I have also served on PLC committees in the district and schools as we

have worked to implement the current PLC model. Ive served on various committees
throughout the past 6 years to study the 5x5 block schedules for high schools. I act as a
representative from Washington County School District on the Concurrent Enrollment
Future Committee developed by Dixie State University. I also serve as the high school
representative on the committee for Dixie State Universitys high school
relations/concurrent enrollment committee. I have an excellent working relationship with
both Dixie State and Southern Utah University as we come together to bridge the gap
between high school and advanced education, and I advise both universities as they strive
to implement improved education on their level. I was asked this year to also serve on the
Higher Education Committee as we, as community members, higher education leaders, and
school district leaders come together to formulate the future needs for higher education
for our students in Washington County.
I have served as a counselor in Middle School and the Head Counselor in both
Intermediate and High School. I have opened three new schools during my tenure and
have worked with the community (PTA and Trust Land committees), administration, and
faculties to ensure quality education is available to all our students. Of course I also
serve as the committee chair for our school community advisory committee for
comprehensive guidance as well as our steering committee and have served on many hiring
committees throughout the years. I believe my vast understanding regarding the
education process and the business of education would make me an excellent choice for
the Washington Co. School Board.
3. In times of budget shortfalls, prioritize where you would make budget cuts if needed.

It saddens me to realize that these times may come. I hope that the state of
Utah has done enough to promote economic growth, so we wont have to face these
challenges; however, if the shortfalls come, and budgets have to be cut, I believe
its important to preserve a quality classroom for every student. As helpful as
additional district programs are for students, and as useful as program
administrators for these programs may be, the classroom, whether a regular or
dual immersion classroom, has to come first. As I said before, the school district
is here to educate students, and that education must take priority .
4. What do you see as the three most critical need/issues facing the Washington County School
District in the next five years? How would you begin to address these issues?

1 Growth Living in a place as amazing as Washington County means we will

constantly be faced with the blessings and challenges growth brings. I believe its
important for the board to work closely with other civic leaders to be ready for
the growth when it comes. We cant afford to be behind the growth when its
too late.
2 Keeping the education of Washington Co. Students on the cutting edge for the
future Our students will be the future of our nation. We have an obligation to

ensure the education they receive is the education they will need for the future.
As those needs change, I believe its important that the education changes with
them. I think our Language programs in the district are an excellent example of
keeping up with the times. I believe we need to be watchful and proactive as we
move forward in the education business.
3 Budgets As I stated above, financial support is a constant issue for our
county. I believe we need to be extremely cautious as we consider our needs and
our funding. I believe balancing the critical needs with the funds available
becomes an extremely important issue. When we put students first, the correct
decisions become more clear.
5. What would you do to hire/retain quality educators in Washington County School District?

This is a constant challenge for our District. I believe that we need to do our
absolute best to hire quality educators to begin with. I then think it becomes
important that we as a district and a board give them the support they need to
stay quality educators. Of course its imperative that we adequately fund the
salaries so that our educators can afford to live here in our community. I believe
we are loosing far too many educators to other states because of salary
differences. We need to be competitive in this area.
6. In your opinion, is there anything Washington County School Board, District Administration,
teachers or other staff could do better?

I believe they do an excellent job balancing the finances available with the needs
created within our district. I also think they have a very difficult job balancing
the need to oversee the workings of the district without micromanaging the
day to day operations of education. Im sure as I serve on the board I would be
better able to answer this question, and be able to use my expertise to help them
improve in different areas. The one area I believe could use improvement is the
hiring practices of administrators. I believe we need far more input from quality
professionals who are involved in the nuts and bolts of schools. I think more
research needs to be done in the candidates history and quality of work for
potential administrators. I believe in the team approach to hiring and think the
board should include more professionals on their team when hiring. I also think
its important for the board to ask the difficult questions to administrators when
it comes to finances. Many questionable practices could be avoided if these
practices were discussed with the board.
7. What are your thoughts about the current Dual Language Immersion programs in
Washington County?

I am excited to see the progress that has been made over the past almost 10
years. In the beginning, there were some rough patches because conversations
never took place with the secondary education arena; however, due to some work
at the top, I believe those issues are being addressed and progress is being made.
I LOVE the option of dual immersion. I dont think its appropriate for EVERY
student, and I wouldnt push it as a mandatory program for every student, but I
think its an important option to have available for the students who are ready and
capable of learning within these programs. For budgetary reasons, I think its
important to have a master plan among cone-sites. I dont think the district can
afford to have every language in every cone-site, but I love having different
options in each of the cone-sites available to students. I also love to see the test
scores these programs have produced. The data here and across the country
shows the success in the dual immersion programs. For those who have been
instrumental in this success, thank you!
8. What will you do to further support the current Dual Language Immersion programs in the
district?

As I said above, I think its important to master plan the future of the programs
in the cone-sites. As we look at funding, I believe its important to use the funding
in the most appropriate way possible. Providing the languages within cone-sites
allows the funds to be spent productively and we can receive the most bang for
our buck. I would be committed to funding this program in this method, so we can
continue to produce educated students who can compete in the global economy.
9. Are there any other concerns or issues you would like to share with us?

I believe in the future of our students and in our future. Since I will be retired
from my full time career, I will have the time required to give back to the
students and residences of Washington County. I would appreciate your support in
this endeavor.