Candidates debate arts, communication and labor questions at Sweet Home board forum

Jessica Stevens; Peter Belante

Incumbent Peter Belante and challenger Jessica Stevens told an audience on May 5 they would prioritize students while arguing for different methods to protect programs and improve district communication.

Stevens, a parent and long‑time school volunteer, said strained relations between administration and teachers and tight budgets are the district’s main challenges. She told the audience she would not raise taxes to preserve every program but said she would oppose cuts to athletics, music and art and urged small K–3 class sizes. Stevens said she came back to run after a proposal to significantly cut high‑school arts programs and pledged to push for more transparency and community input.

Belante, seeking re‑election and a longtime special‑education teacher, emphasized his experience on the board and said he wants to see completion of the district’s large capital project. He described efforts to bring more special‑education services in‑house (hiring district‑employed therapists and opening two new elementary special‑education rooms) to improve access and consistency of services.

On a pre‑submitted question about negotiating objectivity — one candidate is a teacher and the other is endorsed by the teachers’ union — Belante acknowledged he is a teacher but said the board of seven and the finance office provide checks and a single member cannot unilaterally decide contract outcomes. Stevens said her endorsement would not prevent her from representing all stakeholders and that board decisions are collective.

Audience members asked about preserving arts classes, term length for board members and past controversies. Stevens said she regretted that proposed arts cuts had reached the point of public outcry and had no single cost‑saving alternative to offer in the forum; she said cuts, if necessary, should not single out one program. Belante said some past contentious decisions occurred in executive session and that he cannot publicly recount those conversations but reiterated his focus on students and program support.

The forum included several audience questions and a short period for open comment; both candidates will appear on the May 19 ballot for one board seat.

Ending: The board reminded listeners the May 19 vote (budget and board election) will be held at the Virgil Center from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.