"Good evening. My name is Katherine Anderson. I’m a proud parent of a student here in the district, and I also had the luxury of graduating from Spalding High School.

This community has shaped who I am today. And now that I’m raising my family here, I want to help ensure that our schools maintain a place where every child has a chance to succeed. I’m running for the school board because I believe that our schools should always keep their focus where it belongs, and that’s on the students and the teachers who guide them every day.

As a parent, I firsthand see how important it is that our children feel supported in the classroom, on the field, and even in their personal growth. I want to make sure that we’re preparing them for not just the test, but the for the afterlife as well. That means, yeah, strong academics, but also opportunities in the arts, trades, and extracurriculars that allow our students to discover their strengths and their passions.

As a graduate, I know the pride that comes with being a part of this community. And I want every student to feel that same pride—that they belong here and that they’re valued. Um, and that their education and preparing them for a bright future is important.

As a neighbor, I understand that a strong school makes for strong community. When we invest wisely in the schools, we’re investing in our families and our neighborhoods and our future. That’s why I will work to make sure our resources are used responsibly and with a clear priority: supporting the teachers and giving the students the best possible learning environment.

At the end of the day, my commitment is simple. I’ll listen and I’ll work hard. And the schools, teachers will, and students will be the center of every decision that I make or help make. I would be honored to earn your trust and for your vote for the school school board. Together, we can continue to make the school system something that we can all be proud of."

Notes:

The Public Information and Community Engagement Office for the City of Rochester is pleased to announce that the Meet the Candidates video series is now available for viewing ahead of the upcoming Municipal Election.

The nonpartisan series introduces voters to candidates for Mayor, City Council, School Board, and Police Commission. Each candidate was given up to three minutes to speak directly to voters, share their priorities, and present their personal message.

To ensure fairness and transparency, all videos were recorded live in a single take, without edits, hosts, or predetermined questions.

The views and opinions expressed in the following video are those of the candidate and do not necessarily reflect the views of the City of Rochester, its elected officials or staff. The content is presented as part of a public information effort to provide equal opportunity for all candidates to address the community.

Transcript was taken directly from the GovTV website closed captioning. AI added bold/italic fonts for emphasis and separated paragraphs where appropriate.

"Good afternoon, everyone!

My name is Katherine Anderson, and I’m excited to share that I’m running for a seat on the Rochester School Board, Ward 1.

As a parent with children in the district — and with firsthand experience navigating IEPs — I understand how important it is for families to have a strong voice in our schools. I want to be proactive, engaged, and hands-on in supporting both our students and our teachers.

For me, serving on the school board is about working together as a community to make sure our schools remain a place where every child can thrive. I’d be honored to earn your support on this journey!

✨ Please feel free to reach out if you’d like to talk more about my vision for our schools — I’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas."

¹Intro from Candidate via Facebook post they made. Bold and italic fonts added via AI for emphasis

Katherine Anderson, School Board Candidate, Ward 1 Seat B

A little blip about me. I am a mother of 3 children, 2 living, my partner is a Marine Veteran. We have a dog, cat and chickens. I love deeply and care hard. Giving up is not in my vocabulary. We know first hand the steps you need to go through with special education, my oldest had an IEP. My heart is set for change and helping out the schools where I can. If not on the School Board, I have a back up plan.

1. Question: Recent high-profile decisions by the School Board have created a lot of disagreement, and some parents, staff, and families have said they don’t feel heard. If you’re elected,

“What will you do to rebuild trust with families, staff, and students? How will you show that the Board’s decisions are based on what’s best for the school community and not on personalities or politics?”

Response: I think that showing the families, staff and students that we are willing to show up and continue to try our best efforts to better the cards we’ve been dealt. We can do that by listening to them and making sure they feel heard. Being on the School Board is not about me. Its about teachers being able to survive on their salaries and students getting their needs met. It is about the entire community. These students are our future. We need to care for it the best we can- that means keeping our teachers!

2. Question: When the budget is tight, every dollar matters, “What are the most important areas the district should spend money on? If you had to make cuts, what would you protect, and where could the district trim costs without hurting students or classrooms?” 

Response: I understand with the budget being incredibly stretched thin as it is. I feel like prioritizing needs and getting the staffs input on what would actually need “fixing” and what can be something we wait on. Getting the Special Education Classes out of the basement needs to happen. Lets find away to move classes around. What rooms aren’t being used? Can we get a tour and have a look for ourselves?

3. Question: Families rely on special education services that are written into IEPs and 504 plans. As a board member, “How will you make sure students with disabilities actually get the support they’re promised and that schools have the staff and resources to provide it? What would you push for in your first year to make sure those students don’t fall through the cracks?” 

Response: Seeing that we are severely under staffed with paraprofessionals, making it more of an incentive to get people to apply with us would be top priority. Investing in them to further themselves as educators could go a very long way.

4. Question: On recent state tests, Rochester’s scores in math and reading are well below the New Hampshire average. In math, it’s only about 25% of Rochester students at grade level, compared to about 40% statewide. In reading, it’s about 30% here versus roughly 50% statewide.

“As a School Board member, what specific steps would you push to close that gap and raise achievement in core areas like math and reading?”

Response: I am not a teacher, I don’t have the hands on that they do. I would like to see the budgets spent on Math and Reading and if those tools aren’t working out. Ask the teachers themselves what they think could work. Seeing what their perspective on the issue and listening to them could be very valuable to the students learning. Lets work together.

5. Student Questions: What makes you unique amongst your colleagues whether in policy, beliefs or your background and how will this benefit the school district and students?

How do you think your upbringing and education will affect the way you participate and understand the role of a school board member?

What is your stance on student equity?

Response: I feel what makes me unique is that I myself have benefited from being in title 1 programs growing up. I have received extra help from teachers and para’s. With that being said I then exceeded in vocabulary and was given advanced tests in the 5th grade. Went from being far behind to ahead with a little extra attention. Also, I have gone through my son’s IEP and making sure his needs were getting met. My partner and I worked together with the teachers and worked hard at home to achieve his goals. I was also a very depressed student that felt alone and defeated. I could use the signs that were ignored with me to help benefit another child.

My stance on student equality is pretty clear. No child left behind. It shouldn’t matter what your race is, gender, home life, etc. if a student wants to be in a sport they should play. If a student needs a few extra minutes to get the hang of a lesson they should get it. Feeling that you are unworthy of learning or trying to pursue something is so low as a child. Mental health is incredibly important at this age in particular.

6. Question: The district has seen many teachers and staff retire or resign in the past two years.

“What do you think are the main reasons behind turnover, and what specific strategies would you support to recruit new teachers and keep experienced ones? Would you consider steps like signing bonuses, mentorship programs for new teachers, or improvements to workplace culture?”

Response: Signing bonuses seem great in theory but you’re just robbing other schools from their teachers, leaving another community- our neighbors- short handed as well. If we can get teachers to stay like they used to and have a feeling of being appreciated and not just a babysitter for the working parents that could go a long way. I feel as if teachers are severely under appreciated more each year. When in reality they are the ones that are forming our children and teaching them in ways we cant. Talking to the teachers outside of the school setting and listening to them as a parent and working together I feel like can go a very long way.

7. Question: Rochester’s out-of-school suspension rate is among the highest in the state, about three times the New Hampshire average.

“How would you reduce suspensions while still keeping schools safe and orderly? Would you support approaches that try to solve the problem and keep students in school instead of sending them home?”

Response: Instead of doing out of school suspension would it be possible to have those students sent to a computer lab where they continue to do school lessons while being out of the classroom and have access to the councilor. Creating a safe environment and undisturbed is obviously very important so if physical threat is the major concern over why they chose to do out of school suspensions then I would need more time to answer this.