Q&A: Gilbertson, Orton seek seat on Newcastle Board of Education
Two Newcastle residents are seeking a seat on the Newcastle Board of Education and will be on the ballot April 1.
The Newcastle Pacer has sent each of them a questionnaire and asked for their responses. Filing for Office No. 5 of the Newcastle Public Schools Board of Education are incumbent Jeremy Gilbertson, 49, and James Orton, 69. The following represents the questions we asked and the answers they provided.
JEREMY
GILBERTSON
Q: Candidate Name and office you seek? Jeremy Gilbertson- School Board Seat 5 Q: Who are the members of your family?
A: Wife, Jennifer and adult children Jacob, Jared and Jenna Q: What is your employment?
A: Senior Program Manager Q: Why are you seeking a seat on the Newcastle Public Schools Board of Education?
A: I am seeking to retain my seat on the Newcastle Public Schools Board of Education because I am passionate about ensuring every student receives the best education possible. As a parent and a member of the community, I believe my skills, experience, and deep commitment to the future of our schools will allow me to continue serving effectively.
I want to work alongside fellow board members, the superintendent, teachers, and parents to continue building an environment where students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
Q: What are the positive attributes of Newcastle Schools?
A: Newcastle Schools has a strong foundation of dedicated staff and a supportive community. The teachers and administrators work hard to create a nurturing and competitive learning environment, and the school system’s focus on providing a well-rounded education that encompasses both academic rigor and extracurricular opportunities. Additionally, the involvement of parents and families in the school’s activities shows the strength of community support.
Q: How would you work to further those attributes?
A: I would focus on continuing to foster a strong collaboration between the school district and the local community. By prioritizing communication and working together with educators, parents, and local organizations, we can ensure that our students receive the resources they need to succeed. I’d advocate for professional development for staff and continue to push for a well-balanced curriculum that adapts to the changing needs of our students and the community.
Q: What are the negative attributes of Newcastle Schools?
A: While Newcastle Schools has many strengths, there are areas that could benefit from further attention. One challenge might be maintaining consistent access to advanced technology and ensuring that all students, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, have equal access to these resources.
Additionally, the community continues to grow, which highlights the need to maintain school facilities and build as appropriate to support growth.
Q: How would you address the negative attributes?
A: To address these challenges, I would work on focusing budget initiatives to support technology upgrades and ensure that all students can benefit from modern learning tools. I would also push for a long-term infrastructure improvement plan to ensure that our schools’ facilities are maintained and updated regularly to support both the academic needs and extracurricular activities of our students. Collaboration with local businesses and the community could help us achieve these goals more effectively.
Q: How is the school’s infrastructure and campuses and what needs further work?
A: While our campuses are in relatively good condition, certain areas could use improvement, particularly in maintaining and modernizing older buildings.
Classrooms, sports facilities, and outdoor spaces may require renovations or upgrades to accommodate the needs of the students and ensure their safety and well-being. Additionally, addressing the technology infrastructure in schools is essential to keeping pace with the evolving educational landscape.
Q: Are there physical areas of the school district you would improve?
A: I believe we could improve certain physical spaces like libraries, gymnasiums, and outdoor recreation areas to provide students with more engaging and safe environments. Additionally, ensuring that classrooms are equipped with up-to-date resources and technology would support more effective learning. Improving accessibility for students with disabilities should also be a priority.
Q: How would your service impact the student outcomes at Newcastle Public Schools?
A: By bringing a collaborative, results-oriented approach to the board, I aim to ensure that student outcomes improve in both academic and social-emotional aspects. I would advocate for initiatives that support not only high academic standards but also programs that address mental health, well-being, and extracurricular enrichment.
My leadership and program management experience coupled with common sense allows me to approach challenges strategically, ensuring that every decision made is aimed at enhancing the educational experience and success of our students.
JAMES
ORTON
Q: Candidate Name and office you seek?
A: James Orton for School Board Q: Who are the members of your family?
A: Wife - Linda (Ogle) Orton; Children - Stephen Orton and Alyssa Orton Q: What is your employment?
A: Retired from Colorado Department of Corrections Q: Why are you seeking a seat on the Newcastle Public Schools Board of Education?
A: To contribute to the school that I graduated from and to improve not only the school but also the community.
Q: What are the positive attributes of Newcastle Schools?
A: I am not familiar with the positive or negative attributes of the Newcastle School system currently but the students, parents and teachers are best at identifying the issues and I would get input from them. By including them I would work to resolve those issues.
Q: How would you work to further those attributes?
A: After identifying the issues that needed improvement, I would establish goals and time frames to complete those goals with safety and security in mind.
Q: What are the negative attributes of Newcastle Schools?
A: I am not familiar with the positive or negative attributes of the Newcastle School system currently but the students, parents and teachers are best at identifying the issues and I would get input from them. By including them I would work to resolve those
