Watershed Voice sent out questionnaires to over 30 candidates running for elected school board positions in St. Joseph County and the surrounding area. Leading up to the General Election on November 3, Watershed will publish the questionnaires as it receives them back from the candidates. Jeff Baechler, a candidate for the School Board of White Pigeon Community Schools, filled out our questionnaire. These are his answers.

Name: Jeff Baechler

Age: 60

Address: 17656 Fawn River Road, White Pigeon, MI 49099

Family (optional): Wife Anne; Children: Seth, Brooke and Brittany; Grandchildren: Tarah and Sydney

Background/Bio:

Lived in White Pigeon my whole life. I have coached Basketball, Football and Softball for over 30 years at White Pigeon.

Does your background include training or work, paid or unpaid, in education? What was that experience? What are some of your successes, and what have been some learning moments?

Yes. Coaching young people. Has been very rewarding.

Do you now or have you ever had children enrolled in the district where you are running? 

Yes, my children and grandchildren have gone or are going to White Pigeon.

How else do you currently participate, or have you participated in the past, in school district activities? 

Coaching

How has your school district handled the pandemic in both the spring and fall of this year? If anything, what would you have done differently? 

The school district has done a great job and I wouldn’t change anything.

Outside of the pandemic, what are currently the most important challenges your school district faces? How do you plan to address those challenges? 

I want to make sure the kids are safe and that they guest the best education in these times of uncertainty.

Are there other key points of your platform as a candidate for school board? If so, what are they? 

I want to make sure that there is open communication between the parents and the board.

How does running for the school board fit your broader views and ethics? 

Every child matters, and they deserve the best education possible. Every child deserves a positive educational experience.

Why is education important to you? 

With a good education a person is more likely to be successful in life.

Is there anything else the community should know about you? 

I love White Pigeon and my passion is helping all kids.