Beth Oppenheimer
Beth Oppenheimer was an at-large member of the Boise School District Board of Trustees in Idaho. She assumed office in 2016. She left office in 2024.
Oppenheimer ran for re-election for an at-large seat of the Boise School District Board of Trustees in Idaho. She won in the general election on September 6, 2022.
Biography
Oppenheimer is the executive director of the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children. She has worked in this position since November 2010. She previously worked as an associate director for Boise State University for six years. Oppenheimer earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Montana.[1] She serves with a number of organizations, including the Core Leadership Team of the Treasure Valley Education Partnership, the Idaho Early Childhood Coordinating Council, the Education Vision Council for United Way of the Treasure Valley, and the YMCA of the Treasure Valley Board of Directors and Child Development Advisory Committee. Oppenheimer and her husband have two daughters, both of whom attend school in the district.[2]
Elections
2022
See also: Boise School District, Idaho, elections (2022)
General election
General election for Boise School District Board of Trustees At-large (2 seats)
Incumbent Beth Oppenheimer and incumbent David Wagers defeated Krista Hasler and Greg Woodard in the general election for Boise School District Board of Trustees At-large on September 6, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Beth Oppenheimer (Nonpartisan) | 41.4 | 15,430 |
| ✔ |  | David Wagers (Nonpartisan) | 37.3 | 13,905 |
| Krista Hasler (Nonpartisan) | 11.4 | 4,230 | ||
| Greg Woodard (Nonpartisan) | 9.9 | 3,671 | ||
| Total votes: 37,236 | |||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Zach Borah (Nonpartisan)
- Paul Lewer (Nonpartisan)
2016
- See also: Boise School District elections (2016)
Two of the seven seats on the Boise School District Board of Trustees were up for at-large general election on September 6, 2016. Incumbent David Wagers ran for re-election to his seat against challengers Beth Oppenheimer and Monica Walker.[3] Stephen Adams originally filed to run in the race as well, but he withdrew his candidacy.[4] Wagers and Oppenheimer were elected to the two seats.[5]
Results
| Boise School District, At-large General Election, 6-year term, 2016 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Beth Oppenheimer |
38.68% | 3,562 |
| David Wagers Incumbent |
36.63% | 3,374 |
| Monica Walker | 24.69% | 2,274 |
| Total Votes | 9,210 | |
| Source: Boise School District, "2016 Election Results," accessed September 6, 2016 | ||
Funding
Oppenheimer reported $8,210.00 in contributions and $3,677.71 in expenditures to the Ada County Clerk's Office, which left her campaign with $4,532.29 on hand as of August 30, 2016.[6]
Endorsements
Oppenheimer received the following official endorsements in the election:[7][8][9]
Publications
- Idaho Statesman
Political figures
- Mayor David Bieter
- Sen. Cherie Buckner-Webb (D-19)
- Sen. Grant Burgoyne (D=16)
- Boise City Councilwoman and Sen. Maryanne Jordan (D-17)
- Sen. Janie Ward-Engelking (D-17)
- Rep. Mathew Erpelding (D-19)
- Rep. Phylis King (D-18)
- Rep. Hy Kloc (D-16)
- Rep. John McCrostie (d-16)
- Rep Ilana Rubel (D-18)
- Rep. Melissa Wintrow (D-19)
- Boise City Councilman Ben Quintana
- Boise City Councilman TJ Thomson
- Boise City Councilwoman Lauren McLean
- Boise City Councilman Scot Ludwig
- Garden City Councilwoman Elaine Clegg
- College of Western Idaho Trustee Emily Walton
Former prominent figures
- Former Gov. Cecil Andrus
- Former Boise district Superintendent Stan Olson
- Former Rep. Holli Woodings (D-19)
- Former Sandpoint City Councilman John Reuter
For a full list of endorsements, click here.
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Beth Oppenheimer did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2016
Idaho Statesman questionnaire
Oppenheimer participated in a survey conducted by the Idaho Statesman. The six questions provided by the Idaho Statesman are bolded, and Oppenheimer's responses are shown below.
What is the top priority the school district must accomplish in the next year, beyond getting more state dollars to run the district?
| “ | Reviewing the district’s recent “Facilities Audit” to evaluate current and future needs will help identify the infrastructure needed to meet student capacity. It will also help identify the necessary tools and resources needed for educators to successfully deliver curriculum in alignment with the evolving education environment. Districts across the state are expected to implement new testing, facilitate advanced professional development, and provide specialized education for students, although our classroom teachers still need basic instruments, technology, and tools in order to meet and deliver a product and experience that supports student academic and personal success.[10] | ” |
| —Beth Oppenheimer (August 23, 2016)[11] | ||
Why should voters choose you over your opponents to be a trustee?
| “ | As an experienced advocate for quality public education, my background and deep involvement in educational issues make me the best candidate to serve on the Boise School Board. Through my professional and personal service with a number of organizations that work to promote and improve public education, I have a respectable understanding of the issues surrounding advancing student achievement and student support. In addition, my family has always been strong supporters of the public education system. My children have attended our Boise public schools since first grade and my husband and I have been very active volunteers. We have a true understanding of the needs and challenges our teachers and student face.[10] | ” |
| —Beth Oppenheimer (August 23, 2016)[11] | ||
Boise District is reviewing its buildings, which could lead the district to ask taxpayers for a bond measure to build or improve schools. What would have to be done to get your support for a bond?
| “ | While the report is not yet public, I am confident that it will lead to a comprehensive long-term plan for the board to consider next steps. The challenge of aging schools, neighborhood growth and ensuring facilities will help us continue to provide advancements in educational opportunities is not unique, and it is not out of the question that support from our community may be needed in the future. But there are many steps and considerations that are necessary before any decisions can be made. I am not opposed to exploring alternative funding sources, such as bonds, but those opportunities need to be approached with thoughtful consideration and community input.[10] | ” |
| —Beth Oppenheimer (August 23, 2016)[11] | ||
About 20 percent of third-graders aren’t hitting the benchmark on reading proficiency; that’s a pivotal year for students to be solid readers. What do you think of that and what should be done to improve it?
| “ | Children who enter school behind have a very difficult time catching up. We need to invest resources in our youngest students to help them be better prepared to learn when they enter school. We should be exploring opportunities to expand a sustainable Boise pre-K program and also help our K-3 teachers gain access to early-childhood professional development. Our younger students need age-appropriate learning opportunities that give them the foundational skills they need to learn to read. In addition, we also need to expand our full-day kindergarten offerings throughout the district. Lastly, parent engagement support is critical and we need to look at how we are supporting our parents with their children’s learning.[10] | ” |
| —Beth Oppenheimer (August 23, 2016)[11] | ||
What are your thoughts about increasing early-childhood education in Boise School District beyond the pilot project with two schools that exists today?
| “ | Investments in quality early childhood programs are critical in supporting our children’s continuum of learning. Quality early learning programs help children build foundational skills they need to be successful in school and throughout life. I applaud the Boise School District for investing in pre-K programs and I support additional investments for expansion of these programs. I also believe we need to look to expand full-day kindergarten options for families throughout Boise. That being said, we need to ensure these programs are sustainable and the funding is secured prior to any expansion.[10] | ” |
| —Beth Oppenheimer (August 23, 2016)[11] | ||
How well is Boise School District preparing students for career or college after high school. Give one idea of what it could do better.
| “ | Even with) an above-average high school graduation rate among our Boise schools, there is always room for improvement. The Boise schools’ expansion of the advanced-placement program offerings and increased enrollment of the AVID program (the Advancement Via Individual Determination is a college-readiness program in Boise junior and high schools) is helping to prepare students for post-high school opportunities. Having all four of our high schools listed in the top 11 percent in the U.S. is a very impressive achievement, along with an increase in the “go-on” rate. One area I believe would help us to continue our success would be to better integrate college and career counseling amongst the teachers and administrators.[10] | ” |
| —Beth Oppenheimer (August 23, 2016)[11] | ||
Candidate website
Oppenheimer highlighted the following statement on her campaign website:
| “ | Beth Oppenheimer is a leading advocate for quality education in Idaho. For decades, she’s worked across the spectrum of the education continuum, and is eager to apply her skills, passion and knowledge to support the students, teachers and families that make Boise Schools so special.
Since 1998, Beth has worked to promote and improve access to quality education. For the past 6 years, Beth has been Idaho's leading voice for early education. As a parent, she also understands the challenges Boise families face finding the right educational fit for their children. She's committed to enhancing diverse and flexible options that ensure a well-rounded education that includes arts, literacy, advanced studies, and experiential learning, while ensuring that all students have access to the resources they need to succeed. With her passion, experience and expertise Beth is well prepared to ensure that your voice is represented on the Boise School District Board of Trustees.[10] |
” |
| —Beth Oppenheimer (2016)[12] | ||
See also
2022 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Beth Oppenheimer," accessed July 20, 2016
- ↑ Beth Oppenheimer for Boise Schools, "About," accessed July 20, 2016
- ↑ Boise School District, "2016 Trustee Election," accessed July 6, 2016
- ↑ Idaho Ed News, "Candidate withdraws from Boise trustee race," July 22, 2016
- ↑ Boise School District, "2016 Election Results," accessed September 6, 2016
- ↑ Ada County Clerk's Office, "Campaign Finance Reports," accessed August 31, 2016
- ↑ Idaho Statesman, "Wagers and Oppenheimer are our choices for Boise School Board," August 31, 2016
- ↑ IdahoEdNews.org, "A New Era of Sunshine Dawns in Trustee Race," August 10, 2016
- ↑ Tiffany Rouse, "Email correspondence with Luke Anorak," August 29, 2016
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 Idaho Statesman, "Boise school trustee candidates talk aging buildings, better readers," August 23, 2016
- ↑ Beth Oppenheimer for Boise Schools, "Home," accessed July 20, 2016
