Eli Johnson
My name is Eli Johnson and I’m Running for Hamilton School Board.
I am a local dentist in Hamilton. I’ve lived here for about 16 years. I enjoy the outdoors and am an avid fly-fisherman, bow hunter, downhill skier, and love all the outdoors activities this valley and state provide. I have 3 daughters in the Hamilton School system. My oldest graduated in 2021, my middle daughter graduates this year, and my youngest is a freshman at Hamilton High. My wife and I have loved the overall experience of raising our children here and have loved the teachers that have helped guide and shape their lives. I am running for school board in an effort to keep those small town relationships, traditional values and wholesome family-centered influence in our public education.
As a Dentist with 16 years of experience in running a private practice, working with the public on a daily basis, and working with 12 or more employees I have spent a lot of time and effort listening to problems and concerns, then thoughtfully trying to resolve those concerns. I feel like my education and training in the healthcare field and direct public contact give me a unique perspective on current issues facing our district. I have been a soccer coach, basketball coach, softball coach, scout leader, youth leader for my church, volunteer lecturer for the High School, done complimentary dental screenings for both elementary and middle schools, hosted over 30 students in from the High School intern program, and also worked with the Job Corp intern program.
Biggest issues facing our schools?
Right now I feel that there is a lot of division and frustration between parents, students, teachers, and administration. Many parents feel unrepresented and unheard. Many teachers feel unsupported by parents at home. Many core values once considered to be fundamentally recognized are being left for a more progressive shift portrayed and celebrated by media and national pressure. The family is the core structure and needs to be represented and respected. I feel that family influence and teaching in areas or morals, ethics and values that shape who a child is as are being replaced or overridden by a strong pressure in our educational systems to abandon or replace a strong family core and home based teaching of character.
Jeff Jones
My name is Jeff Jones and I am running for Hamilton School District 3.
I grew up in an Air Force family with two sisters moving every 3 years. As a young boy we lived in Germany during the building of the Berlin Wall which I had the experience in time to stand on. Another decade gone by, with a year of college we moved to Italy where I continued my education and traveled from London to Athens.
Being an entrepreneur, married, helped raised three children, traveling across this Great Country of ours by way of Big Rig, 18 wheels rolling from coast to coast. Eventually moving to Hamilton assisting with my parents’ individual care giving. I’m 69 years young and grateful to God for everything.
I raised three children, one with special needs. They progressed through the public school system; throughout the trajectory of their education I was a concerned and involved parent. Being an active member of the PTA never hesitating sharing my thoughts, concerns and ideas for improvements. I had great opportunity through school transportation and nutrition interacting with students.
I’ve had careers from heavy equipment to Financial Investments. I’ve been involved in Community Service in various cities where I’ve lived.
I see opportunity for community involvement with fresh ideas for quality education that supports strong student outcomes, standing with parents for their inalienable parental rights.
Recruiting and retaining highly qualified teachers with skills in communication, listening, patience and empathy including justified compensation.
Seth GaleWyrick
My name is Seth GaleWyrick and I am running for the Hamilton School District.
My wife April and I have lived in the Bitterroot for 13 years. My dad grew up on a ranch in Eastern Montana, and my mom in Spokane. I spent my childhood summers on the ranch, in Glacier, and visiting my dad’s college roommate, who was the Superintendent of Hamilton schools for years. This town was at the top of the list when we sought a small, tight-knit community to start a family in. We have three awesome kids. Olive is in fourth grade, Rye is in first, and Lark is in pre-k. April is the best doctor around (I may be biased) and the Chief Medical Officer at Bitterroot Health. We love this community, and with Lark entering kindergarten next year, I’ll be a parent involved in this district for at least 13 more years.
I have been on the Hamilton school board for one term. There is a lot to learn about how a district operates, and after three years, I’m starting to wrap my head around it. I would love to apply that learning to a second term. Professionally I’m a biomimicry engineering consultant with a Montana firm called Biomimicry 3.8. We research and apply biological strategies to help companies create innovative new products, processes, and systems. I have a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Mechanics and Astronautics from the University of Wisconsin Madison, a Master of Science in Biomimicry from Arizona State, and a Biomimicry Professional Certification emphasizing leadership. My professional and educational experiences have given me a range of skills that fit the school board well. I’m a proven project manager for large-scale innovation projects in diverse industries. The nature of this work requires getting up to speed on issues quickly, analyzing complex interconnected systems, and building consensus around paths forward. I communicate clearly and work well in diverse interdisciplinary teams.
Public schools are one of the most important institutions that we have. Our kids are the future, and the fact that every single one of them has access to the same high-quality education is critical. I initially ran for the school board to contribute to my community. As a parent of three, there is no better way than to get involved in the schools. Over the past three years, I’ve learned that we have a great district with amazing teachers backed up by a committed staff and administration. Every day they work towards what is best for the kids. But it’s not easy. Resources are limited. Federal and state laws are a constantly moving target. The world is changing more rapidly than ever, and our schools must continuously adapt. That’s the board’s job, to look at what’s coming, what problems and opportunities exist today, and help prioritize those things that are in the best interests of the kids, staff, and the community at large. After three years, I continue to believe the school board is the best place for me to contribute.
The Middle School facility is the biggest open question right now. We have put forward a bond proposal that, after two years of community input and expert consultation, we believe is the best compromise for everybody involved. If it passes, we’ll have a significant commitment to deliver on. If it doesn’t pass, it’s not clear what the next step is, but figuring that out will be a key priority. We also must continue to invest in our teachers as there is no more impactful or essential job. In addition, the state threatens to defund the pre-k program that provides incredible value to our youngest students and their families. Trying to figure out how to keep that alive is a significant issue. Finally, we must prioritize and address deferred maintenance to keep our facilities running well into the future.