Monica Mowerfor Zone 2 School Board Trustee

Student Well-Being & Achievement

I feel that the end goal of all the efforts within Cassia School District is to promote student well-being and ensure student achievement. Student well-being includes maintained structures with policies and personnel to address emergencies and potential safety concerns. It also includes a culture of acceptance and diversity that allow all students to feel emotionally safe at school functions. All students deserve to feel that they have people at school in their corner and that they have space at school to express themselves.

I know firsthand that achievement looks different for each student. I feel that it is the responsibility of all who are involved in Cassia School District to provide opportunities for each student to excel in their individual ways. It is also vital that our school programs support students in preparing them to take their next step whether it be college, technical programs, employment, the military, etc.

My “boots on the ground, in the trenches perspective” of being a student, teacher and parent in Cassia County will guide the decisions I make regarding student well-being and achievement as a Cassia County School Board Trustee for Zone 2.

School Staff Advocacy

The most important factor of success in Cassia School District are the administrators, teachers and other staff members in each of our schools. The schools will simply not run optimally without each of them. I have a soft spot in my heart for all who show up for our students in any way. I know firsthand the personal sacrifice it takes to be an effective teacher. This sacrifice can often be taken for granted and even criticized. I know firsthand the discouragement that can occur when more responsibility is placed on one person than can be realistically done. I know firsthand the deep fatigue that happens when this occurs day after day.

I am going to be careful to not make promises that I cannot keep. However, I do want all my constituents to know that I have a “boots on the ground, in the trenches perspective” with all that is required from our school district staff members. I will constantly and tirelessly advocate for our school district staff members to be cared for, supported and valued. I will lead out as an example in doing this. I hope that school district staff members will always feel comfortable with sharing their concerns, suggestions and ideas with me while I am a school board trustee.

Representing You

The purpose of the school board is to be a voice of the people in governing the affairs of Cassia School District. Many of the tasks within Cassia School District are completed by those hired based on their education, experience and other credentials. The school board is different and is composed of elected members, one member from each of the 5 school district zones. Together as a board and representing their constituents, they carry out the tasks outlined for them in the Idaho Constitution. They check and balance the hired school district staff as unpaid public servants. The school board is meant to have individuals from various walks of life with a variety of life experience. Because of this, the only requirements to be a school board trustee is that they are over 18 years old and a US citizen. I believe my “boots on the ground, in the trenches perspective” will be a valuable asset for the Cassia County School Board.

If I am elected, your vote and your trust will always be important to me. During my time on the school board, I will take seriously my responsibility to represent my constituents in my decisions. In order to effectively do this, I know it will take effort on my part. I know that I will need to be available and approachable for my constituents. I promise to show up for you “with boots on the ground and in the trenches.” I am looking forward to it.

Communication with You

As an elected school board trustee, it will of utmost importance to me to have easily accessible communication with my constituents. Before and after the election, I welcome communication at the email and phone number listed at the bottom of this website. I will show my constituents that I value their efforts to communicate with me by responding with well thought out, timely and respectful responses. My responses will include references to Idaho law when appropriate. I will not be intimidated by opposing views and elevated emotions. I promise to be completely transparent about my thought processes regarding the decisions I make as a school board trustee. I will use all of my constituent communication to formulate these decisions. My “boots on the ground, in the trenches perspective” of being a teacher, parent and professional in Cassia County will guide how I communicate with others as a school board trustee.

Official school board communication can be found HERE

Policy 1006
Registered Sex Offenders

There have been a lot of conversations in our community about School Board Policy 1006 and the present school board’s July 2023 amendment of this policy as of late. Policy 1006 interprets the Idaho statute Title 18, chapter 83 for our school district. It outlines that any registered sex offender in Cassia County needs to annually obtain permission from the superintendent to attend any school sponsored functions. The July 2023 amendment of this policy transferred the decision-making power of allowing registered sex offenders to attend school sponsored functions from the superintendent to the school board with the advisement of a committee composed of community members.

This committee met with the 3 registered sex offenders in our county that were seeking permission to attend school sponsored functions in Aug 2023. The committee allowed them to advocate for themselves and present a specified packet of items that showed others who supported them in their rehabilitation. After this meeting, the committee’s consensus was to change policy 1006 to a “blanket no” policy. This consensus was given to the school board. The school board decided to disregard the consensus of the committee and voted to allow all 3 registered sex offenders who were seeking permission to attend school sponsored functions with little to no restrictions.

It didn’t take long in our community for word to spread of this decision. Many wanted to know the reasoning behind this decision. Many expressed fear and anger as they felt that the voice of the victims and the common good of other children in our district was put aside while the rehabilitation of sex offenders was put at the top of the priority list. Due to public outcry and consideration of other sides of the issue, the policy July 2023 amendment was rescinded on September 18, 2023. The rescindment gave the decision-making power back to the superintendent.

I feel that student safety has to be at the top of the list always. Recidivism rates for registered sex offenders are currently 50-70%. It will always be a game of chance to allow any registered sex offender to attend school sponsored functions. A school district “blanket no policy” will eliminate this game of chance. It will be the least liable and most effective way to keep our schools safe. I believe that the school board has the power to do this under this clause in Idaho statute Title 18, chapter 83 “Nothing in this section shall prevent a school district… from adopting more stringent safety and security requirements for employees and nonemployees while they are in district.”

If I am elected, it will be a priority for me to move Cassia School District toward a “blanket no policy” for registered sex offenders. This will include seeking the support and help from state legislators to clarify the somewhat ambiguous Idaho statute Title 18, chapter 83 and then revising Cassia School Board Policy 1006 to be in line with that updated statute.

The official Cassia School Board Policy 1006 can be found HERE

RESPONSE TO RADIO SHOW CRITICISM

On Tuesday, Oct 3rd I received some criticism about my website and personal values on a local conservative talk radio show.

I responded to this criticism during the same talk show on Monday, Oct 9th.

In an effort to be transparent, this is the response that I shared:

Good Morning. This is Monica Mower. I am currently running for a Cassia School Board seat representing Zone 2. I appreciate you taking time to look at my website and to give me some publicity on your show last Tuesday. I am calling because I would like to offer an apology if anyone was offended by a colleague’s testimonial on my website that had some triggering verbiage in it. This testimonial has been removed. This situation shows my own inexperience in presenting myself politically in a campaign. I will move forward in my campaign with a commitment to be more diligent in fine tuning the details. I would like everyone listening to be rest assured that I have deep, multi-generational conservative roots. This is evident on my website, my campaign video and my actions. I agree with you all that some of the current “woke” movement trends are problematic. I was stunned when my name was used in association with it. All who know me personally can attest that this is a misrepresentation of who I am. I welcome discussion and feedback from anyone regarding my campaign. You can reach out to me at the phone number and email address at the bottom of my website, monicamower.info. I really appreciate your time. Have a wonderful day.

The archives of both of these talk shows can be found HERE.