2025 OPCSD Board of Education Candidate Q&A

These six questions were sent to all five candidates to give each the opportunity to respond, and help our members and the community make informed decisions. Below are their unedited responses.

(PLEASE NOTE: Under the Internal Revenue Code, all section 501(c)(3) organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. Therefore, OPSEPTSA cannot endorse any BOE candidates.)

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1A on the Ballot – Tom Provost

1. Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the board of education?

There is not one particular issue that motivates me to seek re-election other than my strong desire to maintain and improve upon the excellent schools that we have in our district.  During my time on the board, I have helped to foster an atmosphere of collaboration between parents, teachers and the administration where we have  focused on serving the needs of all students in our district.  I pledge to utilize the best evidence based policies to create an environment for kids to maximize their potential and to do so in a fiscally responsible way.  

2. What differentiates you from the other candidates and/or board members?

I think my career of collaborating with others in a team environment in the FBI is one attribute that separates me from the other candidates and board members.  During my career, I served on a law enforcement task force for approximately 12 years, where working with a variety of personalities to achieve a common goal was crucial.  I take pride in my ability to look past the differences I may have with others to reach a consensus that works best.   I also believe my legal training provides me with a different perspective when evaluating district policies and discussing state education department requirements.  I think my experience in team/group settings has served me well as a board member and I hope that continues, should I be fortunate enough to be re-elected.  

3. What attributes and behaviors are essential for school board members?

I believe that there are several attributes that are necessary to succeed as a board member.  The ability to listen is paramount in order to understand parents’ concerns about issues facing the district.  Having humility to realize that you do not have all of the answers, knowing your own limitations, and having a willingness to explore issues and obtain expert guidance when needed. Also, having the ability to work as part of a team and knowing when to compromise for the greater good.

4. What do you see as the primary work of the board of education?

I think that the primary work of the board of education is to work with the parents, teachers and administration to provide all students with the resources that they need to get the best education possible.  I have enjoyed helping parents voice concerns to the school’s administration about various district policies that impact their children. I believe a school board that can debate issues with respect for differing opinions, is key to addressing the needs of the students and I will continue to foster that type of atmosphere as long as I am a board member.  I also believe that the board should stay within its mandate and not venture into areas over which it does not have authority.  

5. What is your view of an inclusive special education program?

I am in favor of following the recommendations of educators and having special education students learn with their peers as much as feasible and possible.  The data I have seen suggests that having special education students in the same classrooms with general education students of their same age is best for students emotional and social interactions.  Working in small groups with general education students can also improve communication and critical thinking skills.  Another benefit to the students in the general education program is that they interact with and learn along the special education students.  Especially at a young age, kids do not focus on differences the way that adults do.  I think learning together will help kids focus more on their similarities than on their differences and help them be more accepting and understanding of diversity in our student population.  

6. What are your thoughts on the school district’s programs for special education students, English Language Learners (ELL), and gifted students?

I am pleased with the district’s continued focus on expanding services so that our special education students can learn here in Orchard Park and not have to be transported to a surrounding district.  I believe it is important for our children and for our community that all of our students be given the opportunity to learn here together and returning all special education students to our district should continue to be our goal.  

I think the district’s English as a New Language program whereby Eggert Elementary is the designated school for ENL learners is a smart use of resources.  It provides the maximum benefit to these students and allows them to develop a sense of community with other ENL learners.  I believe the district’s annual evaluation for proficiency and continued support for students even after they have achieved “commanding level” of English is a well-conceived model for student success.  And I appreciate the district’s use of translation services, when necessary, to effectively communicate with the ENL student’s parents about their progress.

I know Orchard Park, and many other districts in the state, moved away from gifted and talented programs about 15 years ago.  From what I have read, there is no standardized definition of what it means to be gifted.  As such, the criteria used for selection into these programs may miss students who have not yet learned to fully succeed in school or who have great abilities in areas that are not considered in the evaluation process.  I support policies that are proven to provide the best outcomes for the students, and I believe our district’s focus should be on using its resources to allow all of our students to maximize their abilities and give them a foundation for future success.  

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2A on the Ballot – Ryan Anderson

1. Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the board of education?

When I ran for a seat on the BOE in 2022, the community was in a much different place than it is now. Tensions were high, board meetings were disruptive and contentious, and national political issues threatened to overwhelm the local focus and work of the BOE. I ran primarily to insulate our district from those issues, to keep the BOE focused on its actual work of maintaining and promoting excellence in education for all our students.

For the past three years, we have successfully focused the work of the BOE on the improvement of our district for all students. At this point I am confident that our BOE will continue to maintain this focus now that we’re in a good place to do the hard work of listening, learning, and growing.

The primary issue motivating me now is something I’ve grown to better understand and appreciate over my time on the BOE. Our district prides itself on its excellence, on our student achievement. But our demographics can serve to mask real shortcomings for many of our minority and marginalized students, whose experiences are not always readily visible in the statistical data. My own experience navigating the IEP process for my son the past few years has shown me real shortcomings in the system even when all parties involved only want the best for the students.

The district has been working to improve in these areas, focusing on removing barriers to access and opportunity, bringing many special education students back in-district, revising policies to ensure inclusivity. My time serving on the District Comprehensive Improvement Plan committee highlighted much of the work being done. I intend to ensure the BOE continues to support and advocate for these improvements, and that we continue to listen to the voices of the students and families most impacted.

2. What differentiates you from the other candidates and/or board members?

We’re fortunate this year that we have four candidates running for two seats, all of whom would serve our district well. I’m excited that our community has great choices this year. I do believe that my experience on the board the past three years, as well as my family’s experience navigating the IEP system’s positives and negatives are significant differentiating factors.

It takes time to grow into the BOE position, to learn how the role functions and how to effectuate change within it. The three years I’ve spent on the board listening and learning, along with the relationships I’ve built, will be invaluable.

3. What attributes and behaviors are essential for school board members?

A cooperative and collaborative attitude is critical to success on the board of education. It is essential for a school board member to be able to work effectively with the entire BOE and with the administration. They must listen with an open mind, find common ground, and build consensus, sharing a willingness to learn from the experts and from all stakeholders. The well-being and education of our students must be their highest priority. A school board member must advocate for our students and our community at all times.

4. What do you see as the primary work of the board of education?

By law, the Board of Education has three roles:

• Set the overarching goals for the district and establish policies to achieve those goals.

• Hire the Superintendent and evaluate his or her performance on an ongoing basis.

• Approve the annual district budget and present it to the community.

Every action the BOE takes should be oriented around one of these three primary roles.

5. What is your view of an inclusive special education program?

An inclusive special education program is one that focuses above all on the individual needs of the student. For most students, integration into the general education classroom as much as feasible produces the best educational and developmental outcomes. An inclusive special education program facilitates integration into the classroom as much as possible, keeping the students in the least restrictive environment able to accommodate their individual needs.

6. What are your thoughts on the school district’s current programs for special education students, English Language Learners (ELL), and gifted students?

My journey with our district’s special education program is just beginning. My wife and I have worked with the special education team at South Davis the past two years to support two of my children. We’ve had largely positive experiences and believe the district is working to provide the best support they are able, but we have also experienced our share of frustration.

I’ve also heard stories from other parents of special education students expressing their frustration with the district. Whether it’s outdated policies, lack of knowledge on how to support specific disabilities, or breakdowns in communication it’s clear there is still growth to be done in our district’s special education program. But I can also see the significant progress the district has made over the past three years, working to bring students back into the schools and general education classrooms, growing the special education team, revising policies and processes, and improving communication with families. There’s a lot to be proud of and hopeful for too. The special education program is a partnership between the district and our families, and I hope that it’s a partnership I can help support, as both a father and a member of the BOE, over the next three years.

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3A on the Ballot – Luis Jesus Villalpando

 Is there a particular issue that motivates you to serve on the board of education?
(No response provided)

What differentiates you from the other candidates and/or board members?
(No response provided)

What attributes and behaviors are essential for school board members?
(No response provided)

What do you see as the primary work of the board of education?
(No response provided)

What is your view of an inclusive special education program?
(No response provided)

 What are your thoughts on the school district’s programs for special education students, English Language Learners (ELL), and gifted students?
(No response provided)

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4A on the Ballot – Tijuana Klas

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FOR MORE BALLOT INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT THE DISTRICT WEBSITE:

https://www.opschools.org/Domain/11