AOC hosted a candidate forum in order to learn the views of School Board and Assembly candidate on issues of youth and family wellness, and their strategies for creating public policy that will help address these issues. AOC developed a list of questions and sent them to all candidate in advance. They were invited to attend the Thursday, September 13 AOC general meeting to respond to the questions. The meeting was filmed and broadcast on Northstar TV. Candidates who were not able to attend the meeting were invited respond to the questions in writing, via email, or with the AOC facilitators by phone.
Assembly candidates Jack Ozment, Heidi Raffaele, Joseph Reeves, and Reber Stein attended the meeting. School Board candidates Mo McBride and Lon Garrison attended the meeting, Tim Fulton and Chad McGraw responded by email. Their answers to each question are linked below:
School Board Candidate Questions
1. What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the school district in the next 10 years?
2. What do you think is the biggest challenge facing youth in Sitka today?
3. What is your strategy for the school district’s involvement in promoting healthy youth and families (beyond the academics of school)? Have you thought of any specific school policies to help implement your strategies?
4. What strategies do you have for the school and city to work more closely together?
Assembly Candidate Questions
1. The City of Sitka currently gives less than 1% of its total budget to social services. Where do social/human services lie in your funding priorities?
2. What is the City’s role in promoting youth and family wellness? Specifically, do you have any strategies for how the City can help provide more dry, healthy, entertaining places for teens, children, and/or families to gather?
3. The current affordable housing crisis is limiting staff recruitment and retention possibilities for social service and educational providers.
4. When presented with an issue regarding the services and education provided to Sitka youth and families, what steps will you take to educate yourself before making a decision? What role, if any, will city commissions and coalitions play in your process?
5. What strategies do you have for the school and city to work more closely together?
6. What is your strategy for addressing high use of alcohol and drugs among youth?
