Real world experience needed to foster new era in education

Guest column by Brian Mattson, Sioux Falls Board of Education candidate

I am a committed community member and candidate for the Sioux Falls School Board, and I am ready to bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to our district. As a local entrepreneur and Marine Corps veteran, my unique blend of professional experience and disciplined approach makes me well-equipped to tackle the challenges our schools face today. I want to emphasize my dedication to advocating for our 24,000 students and their families, the taxpayers and our dedicated teachers and staff.

My commitment to parental rights, and transparency is the cornerstone of my campaign. I firmly believe that parents should be active partners in their children's education, and that they deserve access to, and input on, curriculum materials. This transparency fosters trust and cooperation among parents, educators, and students – creating a more inclusive and successful education system that meets the needs of every student in our district.

Academic performance is a key focus for me. Our district should be known for excellence in math, science, language arts and social studies, preparing our students for success in their future endeavors. We can achieve this by reallocating resources to evidence-based instructional methods, rigorous teacher training and robust assessment tools.

VIEWPOINT: Experience matters when representing Sioux Falls schools