APPLETON SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE

Nick Ross

Facebook Page: Facebook.com/NickRoss4AASD 

Personal Statement

I was born in Marinette and graduated from Neenah High School in 2004. In school my peers and I fought to form the first GSA (Gay/Straight Alliance) in the region. After the principal and superintendent said no, we persisted and lobbied the school board to allow the club. This experience was foundational to my development as an advocate for the community. I learned about organizing and that young people are leaders of today, not just the future.

I graduated from Columbia University in 2008 with a degree in English and comparative literature, becoming a first-generation college graduate

Do you support using COVID precautions such as wearing masks in school and requiring vaccinations of eligible students and staff? Explain

 

Yes. I support following the guidance of major public health entities including the CDC and AMA, which currently recommend universal masking. I also support adding COVID-19 vaccinations to the schedule of required immunizations for students. I would be open to discussions on requiring vaccinations for teachers and staff.

Do you support teaching fact-based and accurate history of events that have and continue to shape our nation? Explain

 

Yes. I believe students deserve to learn the history of racism, sexism, homophobia, and transphobia and their impacts on the present. This kind of education not only develops empathy, which is a crucial protective factor in violence prevention, but also develops invaluable critical thinking skills. Board members and administration need to support educators to successfully navigate these sometimes uncomfortable discussions in the classroom. 

What are your thoughts about the AASD referendum that is proposed for November 2022?

 

The referendum is a great opportunity to make positive change as we navigate and recover from the pandemic. Long standing challenges have exacerbated. We know that classrooms, especially at the elementary level, are overcrowded and teachers are doing their best but still experiencing burnout. The referendum would help lower class sizes and ease the burden on teachers by creating a new elementary school and moving 6th graders to the middle school level. I know teachers who are educating 25-30 5th and 6th grade students in one classroom. That is neither sustainable for our educators, nor in the best interest of our students. I strongly support the referendum.