Tahoma School board director Tami Henkel and challenger, Melissa Greenstein, offered up their thoughts on questions put to them by the Tahoma Education Association Tuesday night at Rock Creek Elementary.

The TEA is the union representing the district’s teachers and the group hosted the forum in an effort to determine who it wanted to endorse for the school board.

Both candidates received seven questions in advance on topics ranging from labor relations to school district funding to the district’s budget process earlier this year.

Henkel, who has served on the school board for six years, said that her experience as a director has allowed her to gain “insight on how our school system operates, particularly finance.”

“I feel that I have added value by having a business and finance background and now have a more complete understanding in the complexities of school finance,” Henkel said. “In regards to labor relations, I am from a union family and I believe that unions serve a function and purpose. It is so fortunate that the district and TEA have become so collaborative over the years.”

Greenstein pointed to her extensive education background — she has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in math education — as something that sets her apart not only from Henkel, but, from other members of the board when it comes to the topic of labor relations.

“I’ve lived on all sides of this equation,” Greenstein said. “I am a community member, a parent, and an educator. As I mentioned, I grew up in a household – an entire extended family, even – of educators. As an adult, I wasn’t just an observer in education, but an active, hands-on participant. I’ve taught middle-school, high-school, and instructed at community college. I’ve taught affluent children and at-risk children and everything in between. I’ve taught our schools top students and children with challenges.”

In addition, Greenstein touted her “skills as a listener, communicator and collaborator,” and that she has been praised for her ability “to find opportunity and solve problems in the face of dissent, and to accomplish that through intelligence, humor and compassion.”

On the topic of funding for public schools, Henkel said the district needs to be creative in its search for different types of funding, and that she plans “to continue to meet individually and with the board with our state and federal representatives to keep this issue in the forefront.”

Henkel also highlighted the fact that Tahoma joined the Network for Excellence in Washington Schools coalition, which is made up of 70 organizations, at the request of the TEA last year.

The NEWS coalition has sued the state over education funding and the suit is now on the docket in King County Superior Court.

“This lawsuit may move the state to make constitutionally required improvements in our education system that ensures a stable and dependable state funding system for our schools,” Henkel said.

Greenstein said that she would take an active role, as well, supporting the district’s efforts to increase education funding by expanding “the approach the board took last year with more public forums to discuss the proposed budget.”

“I also support any efforts to lobby the state to increase support for our district,” Greenstein said. “The Board’s Legislative Chair has the responsibility for that, and I will do everything in my power, if I am not filling that role, to support them. I look forward to any and all trips to Olympia to make our district’s case. Lastly, I know that all states are experiencing the same challenges that we are. I would encourage study groups to investigate how other states are effectively responding to their own individual crises.”

Earlier this year Tahoma, like districts across the state, faced budget cuts and both candidates were asked for their thoughts on the school board’s budget prioritization process.

“Last year’s budget reality presented unprecedented challenges to our district and the Board,” Greenstein said. “I honestly believe that their process and prioritization was well intentioned, but I was concerned watching it happen. Most significantly, the committees that were making recommendations were missing adequate representation from all of the stakeholders – teachers, para-educators, administrators, parent representatives, and community members. Just as I believe that the board needs to be representative, each level of the decision process needs to be similarly constructed.”

Henkel said she was proud of the process the school board engaged in this past spring, which included a trio of public forums, as well as meetings with stakeholders in addition to several budget workshops.

“In my experience on the board, Tahoma has run a very lean budget with minimal reserve balance,” Henkel said. “So, this year’s budget was going to be difficult because of our small reserve to draw from. We came up with a game plan for the process and stuck with it. We did get quite a bit of criticism because our process wasn’t like other surrounding districts. But through our process, a better understanding emerged from our district committee examining every line item of our budget. Barriers began to be broken down between programs, buildings, departments, and employee groups. I think that our district became stronger because of this budget process.”

At the conclusion of the forum, both candidates thanked the TEA for the opportunity to share their perspectives on the school district.

“My heart and soul are dedicated to this work,” Henkel said. “I believe it’s our responsibility to provide every kid an opportunity for success.”

Greenstein asked the union representatives to come to her with their top three concerns as she is trying to better understand all aspects of the school district.

“Over the past few months, I have been fact finding at our district’s schools and at the district office,” she said. “I have learned a lot about what is important to each school, or group and if I am elected, I intend to use what I learned as a starting point to help improve our district.”

Reach Kris Hill at khill@maplevalleyreporter.com or 425-432-1209 ext. 5054.