There are five candidates running for two seats on Upper Arlington School Board. Pencilstorm asked each of the candidates five specific questions centered around issues that impacted Upper Arlington schools and questions that were being raised by fellow voters. Pencilstorm will be posting their complete and unedited answers individually throughout October and reposting all their answers together before the election. Answers will be posted in order they're received. Our second candidate, Nidhi Satiani, is featured below.

Nidhi Satiani
www.teamsatiani.com

What makes you qualified to have oversight of the $98 million schools operating budget?
In healthcare and public health, large budgets are the norm. There are many tools we use to ensure the money is being spent prudently. We use logic models to align the financial and human resources to a stated goal. If that goal is not being realized, this tool allows us to identify the barriers so changes can be made instead of just eliminating both the program and its goals in a zero-sum fashion. Another tool is human-centered design. This allows us to ensure the way we eliminate barriers will not create additional ones. Afterall, a school can never be better than the people working in it. My approach is more proactive and thus fiscally responsible.

We are so lucky to have a budget this size. Unfortunately, the budget decisions over the past several years have reflected a zero-sum bias. We created and eliminated a community school and math plus program in high school, IB program and mandatory exploratory arts in middle school, and instrumental music options in elementary school, just to name a few. These programs were created with a goal in mind. By eliminating these programs, we also abandoned those goals. An all-or-nothing approach is not the only answer.

One priority of our strategic plan is “Whole Learning.” How will you foster whole learning in our elementary schools, middle schools and high schools?
A whole-learning approach calls for engaging students’ cognitive, identity, and social-emotional development. We can do this through meaningful service-learning opportunities, project-based learning, and collaborations with the community to deepen the learning of academic content areas. The Board, through work on the Teaching and Learning Committee, can ensure these opportunities are incorporated into our existing curriculum. For example, my 9-year-old is deeply affected when we see a person holding a “homeless” sign. We often talk about this as insight into his personal values. Leveraging this to introduce financial literacy concepts with Junior Achievement at the elementary level, or social studies concepts through service-learning opportunities with the MidOhio Food Bank at the middle school level, or math and physics concepts through projects with Habitat for Humanity at the high school level would all be effective ways for him to deepen his learning throughout his K-12 experience. One way to scale this personal understanding is by creating spaces for our teachers to help students identify their own deeply held values. Then, students can participate in service projects that allow them to see how their education can scaffold on their personal values and impact their ability to make a difference in the world.

Another priority of our strategic plan is “Student and Staff Well-being” with a key element of belonging. How will you serve as a role model to our community and create a feeling of safety and connectedness?
A focus on well-being underscores the importance of student mental health on academic achievement. The 2019 OHYES! Survey indicates many of our students are struggling. They are getting less sleep, less physical activity, are more anxious, and more depressed. We have students who have attempted or seriously considered suicide. And, this is before the pandemic.

We must prioritize a social emotional curriculum that builds safety and connectedness. Emotional First Aid is a skillset that can give our students effective ways to handle the bee stings of friendship - like not getting invited to a party - so students develop resilience instead of feeling inadequate for not “getting over it.” Trauma informed care training for teachers and staff can also create a culture of safety, empowerment, and healing. It has been successfully used in many settings such as hospitals and public libraries. These are a few examples of how I would work toward ensuring our students and staff have the tools they need for self-care.

Regarding the role model aspect, I strive to lead by example, never prioritizing one group of students over another. Through my campaign, I have shown the thoughtful approach, transparency and accessibility I value in our elected officials.

Everyone at Pencilstorm is a musician. To that end, what would you do to support music education at a younger age in our elementary schools?
In my detailed process for choosing a school for my children, UA’s offering of music education in elementary school was a significant factor. I was privileged enough to go to a public school for the arts where students studied one or two arts for the five years they were there (dance, drama, keyboard, or visual arts) in addition to a strong music education program - orchestra starting in 4th grade, band starting in 5th, and choirs starting in 6th. The loss of instrumental music at the elementary level is a mistake that must be reversed - not only for the 4th grade children who were looking forward to it but for the culture within our schools.

The value of music education is deeper than a once per week “special.” I would love to see more collaboration in our elementary schools - e.g., music teachers working with the primary teachers to develop a deeper understanding of math concepts and reading fluency. Schools that have integrated the arts into the curriculum have shown improved student performance and a more positive school environment. Especially at the elementary level, it is so important that our students maintain their curiosity and wonder. Incorporating music can do this.

Here’s a fun question. If you had a time machine and an unlimited amount of money and could pick any band or performer to play in the new auditorium for our students, who would you pick? Bonus question – who’s the opening act?
There is more division within our community now than there ever has been. Looking through history, we can see how music is a power that can heal division. To leverage this power, I would invite Bruce Springsteen. His music and lyrics not only epitomize the American dream, his story allows many types of listeners to connect with him. I also appreciate how his life shows that financial success and fame are not protective against mental health struggles. Aside from his musical prowess and personal story, his philanthropic efforts also make him a good choice for someone to perform for our students. He uses his success to lift the people and communities around him.

For the opener, I would choose the cast of Hamilton. Their groundbreaking and innovative approach to music, choreography, and casting increased the appeal of Broadway to broader audiences. And, it’s a really fun show!

Pencilstorm would like to thank Nidhi Satiani for taking the time to answer our questions.  Learn more about Nidhi at her website: www.teamsatiani.com. Look for responses from future candidates in the coming days. Pencilstorm is an independent news source and does not endorse any individual candidate.

Local UA Politics coverage provided by Wal Ozello. You can email him at Pencilstormstory@gmail.com or try to catch him at Colin's Coffee. 

 Check out coverage of all the candidates we've received responses from by clicking here.