In Haines, five candidates are running for four open seats on the school board, in the first contested election since 2013. Today, as part of our candidate profile series, we hear from Shannon Dryden, who is running for a three-year term.
Shannon Dryden moved to Haines in 2014, when her husband joined the police department. The 42-year-old has three children, currently enrolled in Haines elementary, middle and high schools, but she’s also home schooled off and on as well.
Photo courtesy of Shannon Dryden
“Over the past seven years, I’ve really enjoyed utilizing all of the educational options and support that Haines has offered, Dryden said. “We’ve done everything from be involved in, of course, the in-person schools. But we’ve also tried the homeschool option. And they’ve all been great support. And we’ve really enjoyed the experience with these programs.”
She works as a project manager for Clearwater Plumbing and Heating, and volunteers with Haines Little League, the Presbyterian Church’s youth programs, and just started on the board of the Little Dolphins swim team. This is her first run for the school board.
“I am running, because I want to bring a new balance to the board. I have seen in especially with this ballot coming up, I saw so many new parents stepping up to offer their insight and to help create a diverse board, (with) the practical knowledge of the parent. Because having the children’s experiences within the school, that is going to help just reveal so much to the process of the school board,” she said.
Dryden says her first priority is to students, and after that assisting teachers who may be stretched thin, and to families.
“So support for the teachers is very, very important right now,” she said. “And then also family support. Every family is very unique and the consideration and respect for individual freedom is very important when unique circumstances exist within the family.”
Dryden says she feels the district is handling the COVID pandemic better this year than last year, with more flexibility.
“Last year, their stance was very firm as to what they planned on doing. And this year, it’s a little more, a little more open to flow as the new information comes in. I think the school is doing a good job right now. I just think we do need to keep a check on how that plays out.”
She says she supports the masking guidance but wants to make sure students’ needs are considered.
“I’m interested in, maybe being a little more lenient towards the kids that they get overwhelmed. Sometimes some kids just get overwhelmed in the classrooms, and some are having issues wearing the masks all the time. Other kids love them. I know my youngest, I will have to tell that child to take his mask off before he goes to school. So that he doesn’t… he’s not having a hard time wearing it throughout the day. He loves wearing a mask. That’s not true of everyone in my family. So everyone’s unique.”
Shannon Dryden is one of five candidates running for four open seats on the Haines School Board. She will face Brian Clay, Kevin Shove, Michael Wald and Jonathan Wray in the election on October 5.
