March 26, 2026
See below questions asked by the Chamber, and the following "responses" from the listed candidate.
Candidate: Pa Thao
Running for: Incumbent for Eau Claire School Board
Workforce Development & Career Preparation: How will you as a School Board member
ensure that ECASD students graduate with the skills needed in our local workforce? In
your answer, please address career and technical education, partnerships with
businesses/higher education (for example, youth apprenticeships or dual-credit
programs), and how the district can better prepare students for the jobs available in the
Eau Claire area.
Response: "As a School Board member, I believe our responsibility is to ensure every student graduates with a clear pathway whether that’s college, career, or both. That starts with strengthening our career and technical education programs so students can explore high-demand fields like healthcare, manufacturing, and skilled trades while still in high school. Eau Claire has a strong and growing economy, and we should be intentional about aligning our programs with the workforce needs in our region. We also need to continue expanding partnerships with local businesses and higher education institutions. Programs like youth apprenticeships, internships, and dual-credit opportunities give students real-world experience and a head start on their future. We need to partner with and invest in community programs that offer opportunities for our students to learn outside the classroom. Fresh Start, a hands-on youth construction apprenticeship program at Western Dairyland is a great asset to our district. Our students must see the connection between what they’re learning in the classroom and the opportunities available to them right here in our community."
Teacher Recruitment and Retention: Like many districts, Eau Claire faces challenges in
hiring and retaining teachers and support staff. What ideas do you have to make ECASD
an attractive place for educators to work? Consider aspects such as teacher pay (within
budget constraints), supportive working conditions, professional development, and
other incentives to address the educator shortage and keep class sizes manageable.
Response: "Our educators are the foundation of student success, our number one asset and we must make ECASD a place where they feel supported, respected, and valued.
While we must be mindful of budget constraints, competitive compensation is important.
As an incumbent on the school board, I’m proud that we’ve worked to keep our teacher pay competitive within our region. Making decisions that help our district stay competitive in the labor market is something that I’m committed to doing on the school board. Just as critical, though, are working conditions such manageable class sizes, strong administrative support, and a culture of collaboration and trust. I also believe in investing in meaningful professional development and mentorship, especially for early-career teachers. When educators feel they are growing and supported, they are more likely to stay. As a district, we can be more creative by investing in “grow your own” strategies by supporting students and paraprofessional staff who are already part of our community in becoming licensed teachers. By creating clear, affordable pathways to certification, we can remove financial barriers that often prevent talented individuals from entering the profession. This not only strengthens our workforce pipeline but also helps us build a more diverse and community-connected educator base. Retention starts with listening. We need to continue engaging directly with our teachers and staff to understand what they need and then act on that feedback. Supporting our educators is one of the most important investments we can make for our students."
Fiscal Responsibility and Sustainability: "The district successfully passed an
operational referendum to sustain programs in the short term. How do you plan to ensure the district remains fiscally sustainable over the long term – even after the four- year referendum period ends? Please discuss what budget areas you would prioritize or adjust, and how you would work with state legislators to advocate for fair funding (given ECASD’s aid has actually decreased under the state formula).
Response: "The passage of the operational referendum reflects our community’s commitment to our schools, and we have a responsibility to steward those resources wisely. However, the referendum gave us some short-term stability, but we all know it’s not a long-term solution. Long-term sustainability means making thoughtful, strategic decisions now. I would prioritize investments that directly impact student learning and well-being, while continuously evaluating programs for effectiveness and efficiency. I believe we should invest in programs that have proven successful student outcomes while also exploring and allowing room for improvement and new and innovative ideas. ECASD has faced declining aid under the current funding formula, which is not sustainable. I will work with legislators and partners across the state to push for a fair and predictable funding system that reflects the real costs of educating our students. As a long-time community organizer, I believe our district must be a strong advocate at the state level. I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to bring people together, elevate community voices, and push for systems that work for everyone. For our schools, that means actively engaging with state legislators and advocating for fair, sustainable funding that reflects the real needs of our students and educators. We can’t simply react to decisions made at the state capitol, we also need to be part of shaping them. Strong advocacy ensures that Eau Claire isn’t left behind and that our students have the resources they deserve."
Improving Outcomes & Equity: What would be your priorities for improving student
outcomes and maintaining a high-quality education in Eau Claire? In your answer, you
might consider academic achievement (such as early literacy and math proficiency), closing achievement gaps, or expanding programs for college and career readiness.
How will you ensure that budget and policy decisions align with the goal of equipping
all students to succeed in the economy and community?
Response: "My top priority is ensuring each student has access to a high-quality education in a school environment that allows them to thrive and prepares them for success. In our district, we are seeing the same patterns as the state with a strong overall
performance, but persistent gaps. Students of color and students with disabilities are still
not achieving at the same levels. That tells me our work isn’t done and that we must do better for our most impacted students. We need to close the achievement gaps by making sure each student has the support and resources they need to succeed. I support strengthening and consistently implementing policies that promote culturally responsive practices, reduce disparities in discipline, and ensure equitable access to advanced coursework. This includes reviewing discipline policies to address disproportionate impacts, including a closer review of our district's utilization of school resource officers, expanding pathways into technical trainings, honors and advanced classes, and ensuring our equity statement is a living document that guides decision-making, that is both practical and aspirational. We must align our budget with our priorities. Every dollar should be aligned to student success and closing opportunity gaps for each student. We need clear, transparent, and consistent data reporting that is disaggregated by race, income, and other factors on academic achievement, discipline, and access to opportunities. The board should regularly review this data in public, ask hard questions, and ensure decisions are grounded in evidence and community voice."
Student Well-Being (Health and Safety): Supporting student well-being is essential for
their success. How would you address issues of student health, mental health, and safety in our schools? Examples could include expanding school-based mental health resources, enhancing school security measures, addressing bullying and substance abuse, or working with community partners (like the county health department or nonprofits) to support students’ physical and emotional health.
Response: "Students spend more time in our school buildings with their peers and teachers, then they are at home during the school year. We have an obligation to safeguard the mental health and wellbeing of each student. Students cannot fully engage in learning if they don’t feel safe, supported, and like they belong. A strong sense of belonging and connection to their school community has a direct impact on attendance, engagement, and academic success. We need to continue investing in school-based mental health resources and strengthening partnerships with community organizations to meet the growing needs of our students and. This includes working closely with local health providers and nonprofits to expand access to care, as well as a review of what is working and not working when it comes to providing student support and resources in the district. At the same time, we must continue creating school environments where every student feels welcomed and supported. We can do this by maintaining safe learning environments through thoughtful safety measures and strong relationships within our schools. Addressing bullying, substance use, and other challenges should require a proactive, community-wide approach, that is culturally relevant, responsive, and respectful."
Managing Declining Enrollment: ECASD has already examined school consolidation in
response to declining enrollment but has not pursued closures at this time. How should
the district address ongoing financial pressures and under-utilized facilities moving
forward?
Response: "Declining enrollment presents real challenges, and we must approach them with transparency, data, and community input. This issue is not the district’s alone to carry, and we cannot make decisions in a silo. We must engage students, parents, teachers, and
community stakeholders in the process and create a space where everyone feels safe,
included, and listened to. We need to continue evaluating how we use our facilities and ensure we are aligning resources with student needs. This may include rethinking how spaces are used, consolidating programs where it makes sense, and finding creative ways to maximize underutilized buildings. At the same time, we must remain focused on maintaining strong educational opportunities across the district. These decisions are never easy, and they must be made thoughtfully, with a clear focus on what is best for students and the long-term health of our community. Engaging our community in these conversations from the beginning is key to building trust and making sustainable decisions moving forward."
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