Vote for School Board Candidates That Share Your Values
By Joe O’Rourke
The election held on November 4, 2020 was vitally important. But there is another election, equally important, coming up on May 4, 2021. That is the day that the local school board representatives will be elected.
The recent National election has revealed that the culture and the direction of the nation have been radically changed. That election result should not be surprising since it is but the result of a decade’s long cultural shift rooted in political and electoral decisions that have been made in routine, often uncontested elections for school board members, city and county officials and local officials and board members. Those elections, starting with local school boards, were all too often won by progressive, woke individuals when everyday Americans got too busy with work, family and friends to pay attention to who would be elected to manage our schools and our children. And many, who were merely disappointed with the election results if they thought about them at all, did not see that a nationwide trend was developing. As an inevitable result of often uncontested school board elections, slowly but surely the schools adopted a left-leaning, progressive educational philosophy that traditionalist Americans would oppose if only they had been more involved and had taken the time to do so. But as busy parents, business people, employees and dedicated community members, we let these elected “progressive experts” make poor decisions that would eventually and adversely affect our children, our county, our state and our nation.
Then on the morning of November 5, 2020, the nation woke up to the realization the country had dramatically moved towards a new radical paradigm of beliefs, morality and governance. The question for many Americans suddenly became; how did we get here, where did things go wrong? Most had thought that there were principled leaders and politicians who would protect the values that America was founded upon. It quickly became evident that only “We the People” by being informed and taking action, can protect our liberty, our independence and our unrivaled way of life.
Happily many concerned individuals answered those questions by thinking and saying; “The time has come, I choose to step forward now, and what can I do?” A few good people answered that question by deciding to run for local school board positions. They are running and if elected, will work to protect our Constitutional rights, our parental rights and most importantly the lives and the future of our children and the Country. You will see their names in this newsletter.
What can the rest of us do? The broad answer is to do everything that your time and talents allow. The specific answer for this moment in time is to support the school board candidates who support your values. Your vote while essential is not enough. Educate your family, friends, church and organization members and co-workers on the importance of being an informed and unfailing voter.
Get involved, get informed, vote and remain vigilant. Stay engaged and watchful. Elect the right people and then ensure that those successful candidates remain true to your values and their promises.
School District 5 (Kalispell). The FCRCC is endorsing five candidates:
Shawn Pandina
Trish Pandina
Tina Tobiason
Dennis Gomez
Heather Asher
School District 38 (Bigfork). One position is open for election. We vetted two conservative candidates (Lisa Hall and John Michael Knopik. They met and decided Lisa would not run this year. We recommend:
John Michael Knopik
School District 89 (Smith Valley). Two of the five positions are up for election. We recommend the two strongest conservative candidates.
They are:
Jim Riley
Heidi Burkhalter
School District 6 (Columbia Falls)
Wayne Jacobsmeyer
Andrew Doyle
School District 15 (Helena Flats)
Lynsi DeWaard
Keith Nelson
School District 38 (Bigfork)
Ben Woods
School District 29 (Somers)
Kendall Massie
Tanner John Smith
School District 1 (West Valley)
Dr. Justin Buls
Chad Grace