Welch said her decision to run for state superintendent was a result of conversations with administrators frustrated by what she called impractical state mandates. “There’s a lot of bureaucracy and repeated demands from the state,” Welch said. Her goal is to refocus the Office of Public Instruction from regulator to a partner.
“Our schools that are doing well, we need to give flexibility to, and eliminate a whole lot of regulations they are currently being boxed in by and allow our public schools to innovate … and start being able to address their local needs in the best way possible. If a school’s students are performing, well why do we need to tell the school how many principals to hire?” Welch said noting that money could be better spent in the classroom.
On the topic of consolidation, Welch said legislators worked on a bill during the last session to allow cooperatives between districts for sharing services such as transportation, technology or special education. She also spoke about natural resource development.“Natural resource development is going to be critical in Montana. It’s going to be critical for a number of reasons: one, to improve our economy, more funding for schools and state budget, but also as a motivator for our students because they know there will be jobs out there,” Welch said. “When we start developing our natural resources we now create a demand for engineers and highly trained technical people.” Her career in education began as a math teacher and vice principal in California schools. Her last job in education was principal of Ronan High School. “I led systemic reform in Ronan. We reduced the dropout rate, particularly among males. We were raising test scores and increasing student achievement. We were getting parents in the community involved in the school,” Welch said.
Welch has a Bachelor of Actuarial Science degree from the College of Insurance in New York and a Master of Educational Leadership degree from California State University. Currently she works as a grant writer and small business consultant. State Sen. Bruce Tutvedt, R-Kalispell, attended Welch’s press conference Tuesday.“What excites me most about Sandy is her energy and her commitment to putting kids first. She espouses Republican values,” Tutvedt said.
John Fuller of Whitefish also was in attendance. Fuller is a former member of the state Board of Public Education and was an unsuccessful candidate for state school superintendent and the state Legislature. “The office of superintendent of public instruction is a very ignored state office by the voters of Montana,” Fuller said. “It’s essential and crucial. And a good Republican (like Welch) interested in results not procedures would be a great change in the Office of Public Instruction.”
View the article by the Kalispell Daily Interlake by clicking here.
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