Candidate Questionnaire: Anne Riopel for Three Rivers School Board

Anne Riopel

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. Anne Riopel, an incumbent candidate for the Three Rivers Community Schools’ Board of Education, filled out our questionnaire. These are her answers.

Name: Anne Marie (Brady) Riopel

Age: 64

Address: 57025 Haines Road, Three Rivers, MI 49093

Family (optional): Husband Ronald J Riopel (Married 8/7/1976); Son John August Riopel; Daughter-in-law Jen Riopel; and grandchildren Riley and Jaxon.

Background/Bio:  

Born and raised in Three Rivers. Attended Immaculate Conception School and graduated in 1974 from Three Rivers High School. Attended Saint Mary’s College and after marriage graduated from Western Michigan University. My career has been centered around Radiologic Technology. My experience has included Education (Instructor, curriculum and site surveyor), management and research.  I have an additional certification in Environmental Health and Safety. I am a lifelong Catholic. I have been retired since 1/1/2020 but am available in other districts for substitute teaching. My strengths are in Chemistry, general science and mathematics as well as radiation safety.

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?

I was the Director for the Bronson Hospital School of Radiologic Technology and at one point included the students from the Borgess School of Radiologic Technology.  I developed and presented a full curriculum that was approved for 45 credit hours by Western Michigan University that included Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, Medical Terminology, Radiation Safety and Radiographic Positioning. I taught all subject matters. My students’ success in licensure on first attempt was over 95%. My greatest success was the success of my students. The development of the curriculum and my school receiving its first full 5-year accreditation from the Joint Commission were also successes. I was honored to be a member of several Joint Commission Survey Teams.

One of my greatest learning moments has included the travel that was necessary in later years of my career. I traveled in almost every state of the United States and several countries. I networked with many people and was able to discuss the education in the United States, our challenges and strengths and witness how other countries provided education. Seeing firsthand what we have and what we can do better and how we can accentuate our strengths is one reason I am running for re-election as school board member.

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

Our son John was a graduate of Three Rivers Community Schools in 2002. My husband taught in the school system for almost 30 years and was also a graduate. Eleven siblings also graduated from Three Rivers.

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

I am completing my fourth year as school board member including holding the office of Secretary. I have served on committees including finance, policy and curriculum. I attended several meetings a week for the Return to Learn planning committees throughout the summer. I have attended athletic events, band concerts and school theatre productions. I have worked concession stands, and purchased band booster tags, fruit, magazines and candy bars, as well as donating to specific causes.  

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?

From the time schools closed in March, TRCS Superintendent Ron Moag supervised committees that met and prepared for the Return to Learn.  Curriculum led by Nikki Nash, Finance led by Blair Brindley, Facilities led by Brian Leonard, Technology led by Nick Bryant and Social and Emotional Learning led by Dr. Nancy Lubeski. Dozens of staff from all facilities participated and worked to create the best and safest learning environment. Our Food Services and Transportation departments led by Linda Cupp and Kenni Schrader assured our students had healthy meals and safe and clean transportation. Our staff attended multi-day professional workshops and practice sessions to accentuate their skills in on-line learning.

I was a NO vote for the third-party Lincoln Learning, which is the virtual plan of our Return to Learn roadmap. I disagreed with the original $371,000 price tag of the Lincoln Learning Program and some of the logistics that I felt would be a challenge for our students, parents and staff. I then, and still do, support live-stream learning which would allow for synchronous (live) and asynchronous (recorded) learning.  I still believe we should implement this option to provide available learning for possible snow days, illnesses and general educational support. 

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

Student safety is the main priority.  Our superintendent, administrative staff and Strategic Planning Committee have done a great job in securing a physically safe environment.

The two challenges I see as most important are Diversity and Mental Health. We are working toward both.  I presented an original plan for diversity including a letter of social justice that had action steps proposed.  I supported the final social justice letter approved by the Board of Education. I will continue to support more diverse hiring practices.  I will also continue to promote diversity education in the classroom.  I believe the school is a perfect venue for providing education for difficult social issues and situations.

For mental health I will continue to advocate for more personnel.  Although Three Rivers is not unique in the need of more personnel and services, I do believe it needs to be more of a priority. I believe we should have at least two school nurses available. I support an increase in staff to follow up on special need students and their individual learning plans. Just as importantly, I believe we need more staff to follow up and support the welfare of our general student population and their individual educational plans. 

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

Academic excellence is important. Because of our diverse student population I will continue to advocate for more individual learning plans. 

I believe in our Vision to be the district of choice in St. Joseph County.  To do that, we not only have to provide the safe physical and emotional environment, we also have to provide a high academic environment. One that challenges and supports the potential of every student whether the student is bound for college, skilled trade, military or general study.  We can only do that by constant review of the student plan and the academic courses we are providing.  Sometimes it is necessary to “teach to the test” because it is the material in the tests that students will need to know for their future success.  I support additional help for individual reading so all students are reading at a third grade level by the end of third grade. I support utilizing community resources for tutoring in reading and math. 

We are currently working on strengthening our sciences and history/social studies programs. 

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

I was raised with the example of loving God and our country and being of service to our community. I will continue to give my time and experience with service as a Board of Education member. I will continue to promote Three Rivers Community Schools by building on our academic success and supporting the values outlined in our strategic plan. 

Why is education important to you?

All education is important because it helps to prepare for life. Regardless of the level of education that a student is capable of achieving, it is our responsibility as a community to provide the best education that meets individual capability. Our Mission is to “educate, motivate and inspire all students to reach their full potential, to become successful adults and to pursue their dreams.”  Education facilitates that student growth. 

My own continued education has been important for personal development. I have taken courses for school board members and am currently enrolled in same. I completed my Environmental Health and Safety certification since retirement.

Is there anything else the community should know about you?

In the past four years our community has read that I have voted against propositions others have supported. They have heard me ask direct and sometimes hard questions.  They have also heard me call into meetings when I could not be physically present. I am invested in the community and will continue to work toward, and promote the academic excellence, safe environment, and proud history that I, my husband and son have enjoyed.