Welcome to Dear Fort Collins, a podcast series that delves into issues in and around Fort Collins. This series of the podcast features interviews with candidates for local office including City Council and the Poudre School District (PSD) Board. These discussions intend to assist listeners in making well-informed decisions when casting their votes. In our current episode, we are joined by Scott Schoenbauer, who is running for the PSD Board in District A. As a parent of three children, some of whom have been or are currently part of the district, and a small business owner, Scott shares his insights and aspirations for the district.

Focus on Academic Excellence

Scott Schoenbauer emphasizes his commitment to academic excellence and financial literacy. He expresses his concerns about the preparation of students for practical challenges they may encounter after their schooling.

“Financial literacy is something that I think would do a lot of good for a lot of people I know. For myself, I would have liked to understand the scary world of credit cards and understand how taxes work.”

Addressing Classroom Distractions

A significant issue that Scott aims to address involves the distraction caused by cell phone usage in classrooms. He advocates for a policy that minimizes such distractions to enhance both academic performance and mental well-being of students.

“I have a policy of out of sight, out of mind. Keep it in your bag. You can keep it with you for safety reasons, but it can’t be out on your desk, and everybody has to have that consistent policy. Right now, it’s a free for all in the classrooms.”

Perspective of a Small Business Owner

Scott’s experience as a small business owner provides him with a unique viewpoint on the importance of preparing students for the workforce. He suggests a stronger collaboration between businesses and schools through apprenticeships and internships.

“I’m a big believer in businesses partnering with the schools in a much more active way than they’re doing right now. There are lots of opportunities for apprenticeships and internships that can help get those kids ready.”

Admiration for Abraham Lincoln

When discussing role models in public service, Scott expresses his admiration for Abraham Lincoln, particularly for Lincoln’s ability to engage across political divides and foster constructive dialogue.

“If it’s a good idea, if you can convince somebody it’s a good idea, that is the way to make change. A good idea should not have to be forced on somebody. So I think [Lincoln] really taught that to the country.”

Desired Superpower for Community Benefit

Given the choice of a superpower, Scott would opt for the ability to understand people’s true intentions. He believes this would promote empathy and reduce misunderstanding within the community.

“I think it would be really good if we could all see each other for who we are and what motivates us. That’s the beauty of this school board race. We all want the same thing.”

A Focus On Real-World Challenges

Scott Schoenbauer’s candidacy for the PSD Board presents a perspective rooted in his experiences as a parent, small business owner, and active community member. His emphasis on creating a distraction-free learning environment and preparing students for real-world challenges is geared towards benefiting students and the wider community. His approach to governance is focused on fostering collaboration and understanding to effect positive changes in the district.

For more details on Scott’s campaign, visit Scott4PSD.com.