Loucks, Zimmerman Seek School Board Spot
Bif Loucks and Robert A. Zimmerman are the two candidates for Wolf Point’s open at-large school board position. The election is Tuesday, May 3, by mail ballot.
Here are their responses to a questionnaire: Why did you decide to run for the trustee position?
Loucks: “Honestly I was told that I should run for it. I think it’s probably because I’m a no nonsense type of person. I’m typically going to give you an honest answer whether you like it or not. I also have extensive background in school systems as I’ve worked at Frontier School for over 10 years. I am a little torn because being elected to the board means that I cannot coach at the high school level. Not that coaching high school sports is something that has been offered but perhaps one day. I coach everything at Frontier and also coach in the summer. Coaching is a passion for sure.”
Zimmerman: “I am continually hearing from community members of the terrible situations and abhorrent practices. I have many ideas that should not cost money and add additional services and assistance to our schools. We are bleeding staff and students because of our lack of appreciation of both. If you are not interested in change and the education of our children, do not vote for me. I want to make a difference.”
Why do you feel you are a good candidate to serve on Wolf Point’s school board?
Loucks: “For the reason stated previously. I’m no nonsense. I’m going to attack issues honestly. I’m the type of person that always thinks there’s a solution to the problem. I stress that to the students and athletes I work with when they feel there’s no answers. There’s always a way.”
Zimmerman: “I’ve served on the Poplar Hospital Board where we had similar problems. I was instrumental in procuring exceptional staff and keeping them. We went from ‘the red’ to the ‘the black’ quickly. I am a businessman/ farmer. I owned and operated the largest oil transportation company in Montana.”
What are you most impressed with regarding the Wolf Point School District?
Loucks: “I don’t feel like I have enough information to give this an adequate answer. The one thing I can say is that I’m always impressed by the families that step up to help during special events such as prom. Our community gets a bad rep, but there are so many amazing and wonderful people here.” Zimmerman: “I am not impressed and I am a graduate of Poplar. The board is not receiving truthful information to make sound decisions. Funding is being misappropriated. Our school water system is not adequate. Montana’s own Office of Public Instruction is letting Wolf Point down.”
In which areas do you feel the school district could improve?
Loucks: “There are some policies that probably need to be looked at and revamped. Stronger leadership in some spots. I know running a school isn’t easy. I’ve been a part of working in schools for over 10 years.”
Zimmerman: Staff procurement that are certified as the law requires. I have fresh ideas about obtaining additional help that would not increase funding. We should be very concerned about the safety of our children. Wolf Point’s hiring practices need to be revamped. It’s not working now. You get what you pay for. There are too many high school degrees acting as teachers and receiving pay as BA certified teachers. It is my understanding there is a hiring freeze right now. That is tragic! The district needs to start hiring much, much earlier than they have done. They wait until after school commences and then hire. We are scraping the bottom of the barrel. Our children deserve better. Teachers should be at graduation so graduates know education is important to their teachers too.”
What do you feel are the school district’s biggest challenges in order to have a successful future? Loucks: “This is another question, that without being in the particular ‘trenches’ of Wolf Point Schools, I don’t feel like I can adequately answer. The most important thing to me and I’m sure everyone, is to create a safe and comfortable work environment for the students and staff. I’m not sure that’s always the case.”
Zimmerman: “Obtaining quality teachers that do not spend instructional time doing collegiate work. Recognize and appreciate citizens like Mr. Elliot and family that have spend their valuable time and finances procuring quality personnel. Book purchasing is heartbreaking and asinine! Schools were ordered to throw millions of dollars of books in the garbage. New texts are less than ideal. Computer programs cannot replace a trained certified classroom teacher. Wolf Point Schools should not be a babysitting service but an educational institute.”
