Starpoint school board candidates outline priorities on capital project, mental health and curriculum transparency

Four candidates for the STARPOINT CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT school board told voters at a public candidate forum that their top priorities include completing the district's capital-improvement project, expanding mental-health supports and keeping curriculum selection transparent to families.

"As a member of the school board, I will prioritize transparency, accountability, and inclusivity," said Jason Madden, a candidate and longtime educator. Madden and other candidates repeatedly cited a $70,000,000 capital-improvement program approved by the community as a major ongoing priority for the board and said they would work to keep projects on budget and on time.

Candidates identified staffing shortages and pandemic-era learning loss as urgent problems. Michelle Lure, a current board member seeking re-election, emphasized mental-health resources and the district's plan to open a family center, saying the district must watch both student and staff well-being. "We have school social workers at every grade level," she said, pointing to supports already in place.

On recruitment, candidates said Starpoint's community reputation and capital investments help draw applicants, but they also recommended stronger ties with local colleges, residencies for student teachers and attention to salary and contract negotiations. "If you build it, they will come," one candidate said about the district's improvements attracting teachers.

Several candidates stressed that the board must implement state rules on vaccine requirements. "We are at the mercy of the state," a candidate said, arguing that local boards must weigh state law and its consequences when considering exemptions. At the same time, candidates expressed personal support for vaccinations while underscoring the board's limited authority to alter state mandates.

When asked who should decide what is taught, candidates described a collaborative model: state standards set required objectives while district instructional leaders, principals and teachers select materials to fit the local community. Multiple candidates urged parents who object to specific materials to follow the district's chain of command—teacher, principal, then superintendent—and use existing processes to raise concerns.

Candidates also discussed school safety and student conduct. On reports of racist language, they recommended building-level investigations followed by superintendent updates to the board if problems appeared systemic. To reduce bullying and mitigate risks from emerging technologies such as AI and deepfakes, candidates proposed restorative-practice programs, expanding trusted-adult networks, staff training and technical measures such as firewalls.

The forum closed with two-minute statements from each candidate and logistical reminders. The moderator said that the candidate responses may be posted on vote411.org and reminded voters that election day is Tuesday, May 21, and that early voting and ballot application steps are available to district residents.

The forum included volunteers Belle Insana (question cards) and Dorothy Spasier (organizer), Mike Egan from the League of Women Voters as timekeeper, and named district staff referenced by candidates such as financial director Jonathan Andrews and curriculum lead Maureen Fraunscheidl. No formal board actions or votes took place at the event.