If you are looking to connect with me as a current Trustee on the board, please see: Torrie Meier Paw Paw School Board Trustee. As a member of the Paw Paw community, I began sharing my voice with the school board in April of 2020 when we started to experience the devastating effects of Covid. While I respect the deadliness of the pandemic, I also was hyperaware of the mental health devastation we
were causing our youth by masking, remote learning, closing schools and cancelling events. I quickly learned that, for the most part, we have a very good BOE in Paw Paw. I watched them fight for the best interest of your children, grandchildren, friends, and neighbors. They often had to compromise with the Administration to keep the children in school and learning. Had it not been for the BOE, things could have been much worse. I decided to seek a spot on the board to support the members and fight for the students. When an open seat came up, I was interviewed by the members and assigned a seat on the Board – I am running to retain that seat. I have strong beliefs that the purpose of the Public School System is for the safety, well-being, and EDUCATION of our students. Parents as well as the community are equally invested in the success of our schools. With all of the ugliness in the world today, we need to come together as parents, friends, neighbors and community to support each other. While I lean more to the conservative side, I pride myself in listening and considering all opinions. There is no voice that is not valued. I look at the Public School System as having families with values from A-Z. Compromise is the key - as the answer cannot always be B and/or Y on the scale. We need to attempt to sit at M……but always keeping in mind the ultimate goal of safety, well-being and EDUCATION of our students. Covid measures proved to us that the middle ground is not always the best solution….it skipped the well-being and education in that statement. I am a community member and a mom who has no hidden agenda other than our children. ALL of our children. I am sometimes asked why I want to be on the BOE when my children are Seniors and soon to be out of school. This issue of our students is bigger than all of us individually. Paw Paw is my home, and the success of this community and our school matters greatly to me. I also want to be the voice of those that can’t speak up, are too afraid to speak up, are too ill to donate their time….or simply have priorities elsewhere that take precedence. I thank you for your time and ask for your vote 11/8/2022. FAQ:
Q: How are you going to represent parents and community members who have values and beliefs that differ from yours? A: When I do my work on the school board, I rely wholly on my statement that the purpose of the Public School System is for the safety, well-being and EDUCATION of our students. That is ALL of our students and their families. There is not one group of students that is more important than the other. The minute we start catering to one side or the other is the moment we fail. We have to keep our “eye on the prize”. The prize is our students. Compromise is the key word. Q: A loud buzz in the community is the topic of a new Sex Ed curriculum. What is your stance on that topic? A: I believe that EVERY SINGLE STUDENT in our school system needs to be loved, respected, and valued. I do not believe that a curriculum that introduces controversial gender studies accomplishes that goal of inclusion. Sexual education should be about anatomy, safety, reproduction, mental maturity, abstinence, proper birth control, protection from and knowledge of HIV and STD’s, saying no, abuse, self-respect, etc. IF that foundation is taught accurately and effectively, it applies to EVERYONE and all sexual relationships. Q: What is your opinion of SEL (social emotional learning) and the Trails Program? A: Start by recognizing that SEL and Trails are different things. Trails is simply a vehicle that the school is using to deliver SEL. SEL on its’ own is a wonderful tool that teaches kids to monitor and recognize their feelings, respect and love for all people including those with thoughts or ideas different than theirs, and to treat others with the utmost kindness. Students benefit from both giving and receiving this kindness, and it eases their minds to open for learning. However, we don’t want to take too much time away from learning to implement this. School is about education. The Trails program is very comprehensive and can include things such as gender studies and CRT. The school district is adamant that they are not using those sections of Trails. I would like to see the district consider a program that is less controversial. Q: What do you feel is the parent’s role is in their child’s education? A: I am a firm believer in Section 380.10 of the Michigan Revised School Code: “It is the natural, fundamental right of parents and legal guardians to determine and direct the care, teaching, and education of their children. The public schools of this State serve the needs of the pupils by cooperating with the pupil’s parents and legal guardians to develop the pupil’s intellectual capabilities and vocational skills in a safe and positive manner.”
Q: What can we expect of you if you are elected to the BOE? A: You can expect honesty, integrity, transparency, and action. You can expect me to ask tough questions to other board members and school administration holding them accountable to the ultimate goal that is our children. You can expect me to listen to and respect each and every person even if we have to agree to disagree in the end. You can expect me to be fair and expect equal treatment of all. You can expect me to be present and attentive.
