Candidates Interviewed by the Press Tribune

The district has been examining the possible uniform policy this spring. A majority of parents the district surveyed at conferences favored the idea, but a number of others have complained that they either don't like the idea or that the district is moving too fast to make the best decision.
A series of public meetings has been scheduled on the matter in the coming weeks, and it will come up again at a school board meeting on June 8.
Three candidates seek the two open zones in Caldwell in the election Tuesday.
Amy Rojas, current chairperson, will run uncontested in Zone 1. Since the zone is uncontested, Rojas will be appointed to the position. Incumbent Leif Skyving will run against Richard Zuercher in Zone 5.
Here are the candidates' views on the district's possible move to uniforms in its six elementary schools. Rojas didn't get her comment to the IPT by press time.
Leif Skyving
Candidate in Zone 5
"From all the research I've done I believe a uniform dress code is worth considering. Since there are still three committee meetings to be held, meetings open to the public, made up of teachers, administrators, and parents, I cannot say with certainty which proposal currently being discussed will make the most sense. Whether it's one pilot school, or all six of our elementary schools at once, or something in between. After all parties have been heard, and the committee has made its final report, I will support the policy that I believe will give, and maintain for kids, the safest, most positive learning environment."
Richard Zuercher
Candidate in Zone 5
"I would be in favor of uniforms being put in place maybe in one school," he said. "Get some data collected on the one pilot school, make it voluntary so students who want to can go there."
Zuercher said he would want to see compelling evidence from the pilot school to implement uniforms such as a rise in student achievement or a significant reduction in the occurrence of violence.
"I don't see the school board having enough information to actually put in a districtwide model of school uniforms, especially this close to the beginning of next year."
One concern Zuercher has is the age of the students involved. He said uniforms can be used in high schools with older students to reduce gang violence but doesn't see how that would apply to elementary students.
"If parents really did want schools to institute uniforms, I wouldn't have a problem doing it as long parents were prepared to pay the costs involved."
Thank you Tabitha Keily