Candidate: Jason Unger
Office: Boulder Valley School District Board of Education District A
Website: https://jasonforbvsd.com/
QUESTIONS FOR CANDIDATES (200 words maximum for each response):
Are you the parent of a current or former BVSD student? Please let us know when your child attended BVSD.
“I have two children at Creekside Elementary in BVSD and another, not yet in school, who will be in the district until 2039.”
What motivated you to run for BVSD Board of Education?
“It is a critical time in education, both nationally and here in BVSD, where we face a number of difficult issues – including declining enrollment and budget cuts . And, with four of the seven seats on the board open this November, it is important that we elect board members who have experience and are prepared to deal with these challenges. I have spent more than twenty-five years working in education – as a fourth and fifth grade teacher in Compton, CA; as a school administrator at a school serving students with special needs in the Boston Public Schools; as the education advisor to the former U.S. Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid (D-NV); as a parent of two – soon to be three kids – in BVSD schools; and as an involved and active volunteer at our neighborhood school and member and former chair of our school’s School Accountability Committee. I am running for School Board to help ensure that BVSD remains a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive district for all kids and staff. And, with my experience at all levels of education, I am prepared and ready to protect what makes BVSD great and help make our district even better.”
What do you see as the major issue(s) facing the school district? Please list five issues in order of priority, and give a brief explanation of why the issue matters.
- “Declining enrollment, and the potential impact on the budget, is the most significant challenge facing the district. If we cannot address this issue, many of the things that make BVSD great – our teachers, strong arts and music programs, our dedicated counselors, and much of the progress the district has made in closing the achievement gap – are at risk. As a board member, I will work to ensure we approach this issue with transparency, fairness, and focused on the best interests of our students.
- While declining enrollment is the most urgent issue facing the next school board, there is no more important responsibility for the school district than the safety of our students. As a parent of two kids in BVSD schools, I think about school safety every day and, as board member, I will always prioritize keeping kids safe.
- I would also want to ensure a continued focus on closing the achievement gap. We should be proud of the work that the district has done, through differentiated funding, to help our lower-performing schools make real improvement. However, as CMAS scores have shown, BVSD still has notable gaps in achievement between different schools and across different communities and student demographics – particularly for students of color, English-language learners, and special needs students.
- We also must continue to focus on making sure instruction and curriculum are rigorous and relevant. My experience as a former teacher and administrator has shown me that there is nothing more important than raising the bar for all students and ensuring that all students are challenged and engaged.
- Finally, but equally important, we must address the mental health crisis facing many of our students. The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on students’ mental health. The district must invest more to ensure students have regular access to caring, responsive counselors and to expand the school wellness centers to all middle and high schools across the district.”
Do you agree with BVSD’s decision to make a $32,500 settlement with a family who alleged that the district’s equitable discipline policies constitute discrimination against white students? Please explain why or why not.
“The only information I have about the settlement is what has been reported publicly. With this information, I support the district’s decision. More important now, I believe, is for the district to help this school community heal and move forward.”
Emergency department visits for sexual violence among Boulder County teens doubled from 2020 to 2021, then again in 2022, according to data from Boulder County Public Health and reported in Boulder Weekly — do you agree with how BVSD has responded? Please explain why or why not.
“Sexual violence is a serious concern and the district must do more to ensure students feel safe reporting an incident. Through its partnerships with MESA (Moving to End Sexual Assault), BVSD has made progress in educating more students about sexual violence and their rights under federal Title IX law. But, with the dramatic increase in reports and emergency room visits, clearly the district must do more to strengthen prevention efforts.”
What BVSD policies would you change, and why?
“There are a number of policies that are in need of a review or update. On the 2023 CMAS assessment, only 61% of district students met or exceeded expectations in English/language arts and just over half in math did. To address this, I believe we should strengthen our reading curriculum to ensure all students are reading at or above grade level and do more to improve math fundamentals. I also support updating graduation requirements to make them more rigorous and challenging, but also more relevant to students, so all BVSD graduates are prepared for college or a career. Beyond these core academic areas, as a strong believer in doing more to provide a well-rounded education, I am very supportive of the incredible arts and music education our students receive and believe we should do more to expose and provide access to foreign language instruction at an early age.”
What BVSD policies do you support, and why?
“The district has nearly 500 policies and I support much of what the district, the superintendent, and previous school boards have put in place. As noted above, I strongly support the decision to provide dedicated funding to help our most in-need schools, and would want to make sure we continue these investments. More recently, I supported BVSD’s decision to remove SROs (School Resource Officers) and replace them with School Safety Advocates (SSAs). The new program maintains a strong focus on safety, but also works to better integrate SSAs into the school community and culture. As with any major policy, the district should regularly review these changes to see what works, what could be improved, and continue to measure whether students and teachers feel safe.”
How will you engage with community members?
“As a parent of two BVSD kids, I am able to stay involved and updated on most school and district-related issues. While having kids in BVSD schools is not a requirement for board members, I believe there is no better way to understand what is happening at the school level and in the district.
I have also served for five years on the Creekside Elementary School Accountability Committee, which has kept me informed about district policies and how they impact our school, and the unique needs and concerns of our school community. In addition, over the course of the campaign, I have worked to meet with parents or parent leaders from each of the 56 schools in the district. This has really helped me develop a better understanding of the school community and the unique issues and challenges facing each school. Should I be elected to the school board, this knowledge and the relationships I have formed, will help me be a more thoughtful and responsive board member – and I will work to continue this outreach and engagement throughout my service on the board.”
What makes you the best candidate to serve on the BVSD Board of Education? Put simply: How do you stand out against other candidates?
“The experience I would bring to the board is what differentiates me from other candidates. I have worked at and have a deep understanding of all levels of education – as a teacher, a school administrator, someone who knows federal and state education policy and law, as a member and former chair of the School Accountability Committee, and as a parent of kids currently in BVSD schools. While all new board members will face a learning curve, because of my experience and perspective, I will be ready and prepared to serve on day one.”
