Jennifer McKnight

Background

Profession: Homemaker

Educational background: High School graduate and 2 years of college

How many years as a Bonner County resident: 7 1/2

Marital status: Happily married to a stud

Family: 4 kids

Questions

1. I'm familiar with the board, so I won't waste time getting to work on policy issues. First thing's first- that lengthy parent contract named "Student Handbook". This is 35 pages of contract that parents are told they have to sign "I have read and agree to abide by the policies", at the beginning of the year, and most don't have time to read. It is the board's job to approve this Handbook annually. I have read this year's Student Handbook, and made notes of areas that need to be addressed.
2. A strong focus on improving academics 2. Connection between the community and the schools 3. Returning value and respect to families I think when schools try to handle every aspect of a child, including mental and emotional, they just don’t have that ability. The family unit is the “small class size” that can teach and protect a child’s wellbeing. The best interest of a child must be determined by their loving family.
3. It is the job of a board member to take community input and the platform we were elected on and bring it to the school district. Those meetings should be about the district listening and proving that it is educating well and not overstepping its mandate. The other job of a board member is policy that reflects the will of the people.
4. The school board only exists as a mechanism to represent the people. As Zone 1's trustee, I will deliver the voice of the people to the school district, not the other way around.
5. The board has started to go in the conservative direction, which more accurately reflects the population. Right now we have a lone conservative on the 5 person board. I will be a second conservative. This will make things much more balanced. We have seen some improvements in policy areas such as: no boys in girls' sports, no boys in girls' bathrooms, and some attention to opt in/opt out regarding parent's choice in what their children are taught. Now and over the next few years we will need someone who strongly stands up against emotional indoctrination. We need to be prepared as this fight comes to us, here in North Idaho.
6. We need to regain local control. When our schools are led from the state level and influenced by national plans, we lose our local values in education, which transforms our society, and we lose our uniqueness. I will listen to the people and vote strongly as their representative.
7. I'm going to use this opportunity to give exposure to the fact that Scott and I actually get along. Every time we meet, it is not just polite, but friendly. We differ on most of the "issues", but personally we have no issues. Being a candidate is hard, and we both understand that. He's a totally nice guy. Because there is no personal fight, we have been able to focus on the issues, and tell the truth to the voter on where we stand, so they can make an informed decision.
8. What! Lol, I didn't see that on the job description. Here are a couple of things that might help a little, but I don't expect them to accomplish world peace, or Sandpoint peace. Firstly, I think CRT is divisive under any name. It does not belong in our schools. And the main thing that I plan, that I think is universal, is improvement in academics. Let's lay a strong academic foundation. When we try to create a values base at the public school level, people are going to disagree, and it takes time, energy and money away from academics.
9. I love our church family at Regeneration Calvary. That is what has really anchored us here. We have had wonderful opportunities to serve. I'll give you one example. When Covid lockdowns happened (in the first few weeks) my husband and I went around to our church friends with our own folding chairs and sat like 10 feet apart in their yards and visited to make sure people weren't getting too lonely. Connections between people are essential.
10. I like to do building projects around the house with my smart handsome husband, and I like to kayak. I've been trying to kayak around the whole lake. I got one of those blue maps from the Hope boat launch about 4 years ago, and I highlight where I go. I've done about half. I like to do new areas to mark on my map, but I also keep returning to some favorites... don't worry, I'm not going to list them!
11. Yep. I went from caring a medium amount about sports (in school). Its good exercise, and competition is important. Between what my fellow candidate has told me about sports, visiting Clark Fork High School, and parent/community vocalization, I know that sports are very important to the people. They deserve prioritization, not above academics, but probably second.
12. Jesus. As a Christian I am guided by the Spirit, and instructed by the Word of God. God is good. He saved me. My husband, Steve has been a big influence on me too. When I was 19, he prayed with me when I accepted Jesus. My husband is a super cool guy and my friend. My father was also a big influence on me. He was a careful and attentive parent, and he got me interested in politics.
13. I don't think there's a special recipe to a perfect candidate. Look at Moses. He basically said I'm no good, get someone else. No candidate is "good". When we're called to serve, we just have to be obedient. This is a representative government by the people, we just have to stand up and do it.
14. Where do you stand on deregulation? I support a return to constitutionalism. We have so many laws, codes, and policies, that real law has been watered down. (This is relevant to the school board, which deals with policy)
15. I am a Christian, and a conservative. I will support families, and local interests. I will not vote to increase your taxes. We need to work responsibly with the budget we have. We already have a recurring waterfall levy. Expensive building projects will mean more bonds/levies, and will likely result in residents of Bonner County having to move away, including the children, to make way for people who can afford much higher taxes. I will listen to you and vote strongly as your representative. I have the time to listen and the time and skills to ensure good policy. Please vote Jenn McKnight on Nov. 7.