Becker: Public access to information about district is crucial

Editor's note; This is another article in the series about candidates for District 88 School Board.

By GUY PRIEL

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Eleven candidates are running for four seats on the District 88 School Board. The election is Tuesday, Nov. 7.

Candidates include incumbents Brian Wieland, Gene Forstner and Don Potter.

Barbara Becker hopes to have a bigger part in the education of her children, and to become involved in the decision making process of District 88.

"There was a time when I wouldn't have been able to consider running for the board, because I didn't have the time," she said. "Now I have the time to do the position justice."

Running for the school board was not something she ever gave a lot of thought to until recently. She was approached by several people who encouraged her to run.

Becker, 35, is a native of New Ulm. After working 12 years as a hair stylist, she became the owner of Smiley's Tavern. After four years of running that business, she sold it in April to spend more time with her daughters. She is currently a direct support professional in a group home and also works as a Semi Independent Living Skills (SILS) counselor with Habilitative Service Inc.

She has two daughters, a 10-year-old, a fifth-grader at Washington Elementary, and an 8-year-old, a third-grader at Jefferson Elementary.

"A lot of people lack information about funding, which has been a learning process for me in this campaign. It is not easy for schools to get funding."

If elected, Becker plans to be accessible to the public, and she considers herself a good listener.

"I would be able to inform people about things within the district," Becker said. "If people are informed, they have a better understanding of how things in the district are conducted. That is the crucial role of the school board."

After attending an orientation for board candidates, she learned how the school funding is divided and how much is specified for a certain use.

"I was surprised to find out how much control the state actually has," she said. "It was a real eye-opener for me."

She has volunteered with the Partners in Education (PIE) program at Washington Elementary School.

"We need a well-rounded education for our children," Becker said. "We need to provide opportunities for the public so we can keep a balance on the board. We should always do what's in the best interest of (children)."

As a school volunteer and a Sunday school teacher, she has heard children talking about school issues. She believes students could make a contribution to school affairs because they experience what goes on every day.

"I feel that the community looks too much at the past," Becker said, referring to the failed excess levy referendum last spring. "It is time to stop dwelling on the past and look toward a brighter future. We have no control over what has happened, but we can change what will happen."

Becker describes herself as self-motivated, serious, caring and a person who likes challenges.

"I won't take this job lightly," she said. "I have the time to do the job justice and will make efforts to be available when needed."

Serving on the school board offers her an opportunity to make a change in the education of her children, Becker said.

"I decided I could complain about things or try to make a difference," she said. "I decided to make a difference. You need a balance on the board. You can't have all new people. Experience helps, but you need new ideas."