Claudia Powers

Education The school board needs to enhance community-based career education through internships with public and private businesses and seminars for aspiring entrepreneurs. The board needs to explore expanding dual credit classes with SWOCC (taught at Bandon High School) to include more technical and vocational training, increase student participation in SWOCC Works – the Construction & Heavy Equipment Operator Pre-Apprenticeship Program, and find ways for more students to access Oregon BOLI Apprenticeship Programs in Coos County. Education I support strong financial and community commitments to public schools, particularly small, rural districts like ours. I believe in teaching kids how to think critically, and I believe in exploring new ways to prepare them for post high school success in a complicated world. Education Bandon’s on-time graduation rate last year was 86%. The state rate was 81%. Although Bandon is above the state on-time graduation rate (GO TIGERS), I believe the school board needs to examine why the rate is not 100% and set policies to achieve it. Education I am here to fight for students and teachers because I believe every child deserves a free, quality public education like the one I was given. Education I oppose the assaults on academic freedom and the threats to public education like those embodied in recent Executive Orders issued by the current administration and its dismemberment of the U.S. Department of Education. Taxes / Budget We need the community’s robust involvement in school funding by making the School Board Budget Committee’s work more visible and understandable. Parents, kids, and the general public need to be involved in contributing ideas, suggesting priorities and proposing workarounds for revenue shortfalls.