Candidate Questionnaire: Rebecca Stoll for Colon School Board

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. Rebecca Stoll, a candidate for the School Board governing Colon Community Schools, filled out our questionnaire. These are her answers.

Name: Rebecca Stoll

Age: 46

Address: 480 Athens Road, Sherwood, MI 49089

Family (optional): Married for 23 years to Ted Stoll. Sons: Austin Stoll, 19 years old, attends Albion College; Alexander Stoll, 17 years old, attends Colon High School and Glen Oaks Community College.

Background/Bio:

Grew up in Downriver Michigan; have a bachelor’s degree in Social work and Social Psychology from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree in Social Work from Michigan State University.  Have worked for the State of Michigan for 24 years in child welfare. 

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?

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

Austin is a Colon 2020 graduate and Alex is currently attending Colon.

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

Was Colon Cross Country Coach for three years, currently secretary for the Athletic Booster’s Club, volunteered in several capacities, School Board for the last six years.

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?

I have been extremely impressed and proud to be part of the Colon School District during the pandemic. Last school year, the teacher’s held actual classes and Zoom meetings with students during the shut-down, they offered continual support, sent home homework, study material and classroom activities to students, teachers called on students and followed up with their needs, food was delivered to students homes. Our athletic department offered weekly workouts for our students to stay in shape and mentally healthy.

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

Qualified and good match teacher candidates for open positions. Substitute teachers. Continuing to work with the superintendent on searches to find candidates.

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

Importance of meeting children where they are and meeting their individual needs for success.

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

(answer not provided)

Why is education important to you?

(answer not provided)

Is there anything else the community should know about you?

(answer not provided)