1. Tell us a bit about yourself, your background/experience, and your connection and/or interest in the Perry Schools. What are your reasons for seeking a position on the board?

● My name is Erin Holmes and I am a longtime resident of Perry and a 2005 graduate of Perry High School. Currently, I am employed by the Madrid Community School District where I teach second grade. My husband, Matt (also a PHS grad), and I reside in Perry with our two boys, Tucker (5) and Thayer (1). Tucker is a kindergartener at Perry Elementary.

● There are a couple of reasons I am interested in serving on our school board. First and foremost, I have a child going through the school system and I want the very best for him, his peers, and his teachers. Secondly, as a classroom teacher, I know how important it is to have school board members who not only support what’s best for our students and our district, but who are also willing to advocate for the teachers. As a classroom teacher myself, I get it, and I support our teachers 100%.

2. What are some of the strengths and weaknesses you see in our district?

● Some of our district’s strengths include a dedicated, professional staff, a thriving before and after school program, a strong partnership between the high school and DMACC providing opportunities for our students to receive post-secondary education, a successful industrial technology program, a talented and successful performing arts program, technology in the hands of all students in grades 6-12, and many other strengths that I am unintentionally leaving out but are positively impacting our district.

● Some weaknesses I see that concern me are how funding is allotted, and community involvement. As a former student at Perry Elementary and now the parent of a child who attends that school, I’m wondering why more funds aren’t being used to update the elementary and bring that building and playground up to par. Additionally, I would like to see more opportunities for members of our community to become more involved in our schools. The foundation for a successful education lies in the partnership between educators and parents/community members.

3. What is your opinion of the new public employee bargaining law?

● In short, I think it’s a slap in the face to all unionized employees, especially the employees who came before us who worked so hard to create fair working conditions and secure the benefits that we have. The former bargaining law served as a guaranteed protection for people’s livelihood, and now that livelihood is left in the hands of a small group of people who will not be directly impacted by the choices they make for their employees.

4. Do you support maintaining a comprehensive master contract that includes all legal items that were previously included in the contract under the old collective bargaining law?

● Yes, I support maintaining a master contract that follows the old collective bargaining law, and until collective bargaining is reinstated, I feel that all formerly permissive subjects should be included in an employee handbook.

5. Do you support maintaining all benefits (including health insurance) that were bargained under the old law but are now excluded from bargaining?

● I think it is imperative that the district provide affordable quality health insurance for all staff members. Should the school board have to make a decision about whether to increase rates and keep the quality of insurance the same, or decrease rates and change the quality of insurance, the PEA should be part of that conversation and have a say in the final decision.

6. If necessary, where would you cut the school budget? What would consider off-limits to budget cuts? Why?

● What I know about school budgets is that all monies are allotted for specific purposes. I will be 100% transparent that I’m not familiar with where our school district’s money is being spent, but I do have some concerns.

● I supported the bond referendum to expand onto the high school and build the new Industrial Tech Department. Perry’s industrial technology program has had ongoing success, so I am happy to support that program and continue to help it grow. However, the elementary deserves to be invested in as well. Aside from the physical appearances and structures that needs updated--paint, carpet, playgrounds, teachers need training and support to help with the ongoing mental health and behavioral issues that are affecting all classrooms across the nation.

7. Why do you think our association should support you?

● I’m a longtime resident of this community, a mother of a school-age child, and a teacher. Not only am I personally invested in our school district because of my experiences as a student and my son’s current experience, but I understand firsthand what our teachers go through on a daily basis, and I want to be a voice for you all.