Vote For? Yours Truly! Um...Slogan Anyone?...Bueller

Most of you already know, I am running for school board for Dysart Unified School District. It has been more challenging than I had ever imagined. I love all that I have learned thus far and look forward to continuing and enduring to the end. I have to apologize because this will be a long post, BUT I wanted all of you to know my views so you know what I stand for. I was mailed a questionaire from the Arizona Republic that will be published at some point, but better to get it out there sooner than later.

Also, there is a forum on Monday, September 22nd where all the candidates will be sharing their views and taking questions from the public. I invite you all to be there. The Governing School Board has the power to make important changes within the district. I stress the importance of knowing who you are voting for. There are 3 seats available and the election will be on the same ballot as the Primary Election on November 4th.

Again the forum is:

Mon. September 22, 2008

6:30 p.m. @ at the Dysart Education Center. Its address is 15802 North Parkview (south of Bell Road) in Surprise.

Here is a list of the questions from the AZ Republic:

What is the best piece of political advice you ever received? “You can’t avoid conflict, but don’t be the cause of contention.”

What character trait best serves a public official? Integrity

What character flaw most harms a public official? When they begin to pursue their own personal aspirations and political designs rather than the hopes and desires of the people they’ve been elected to represent.

Which Arizona political figure past or present do you most admire and why? Just one political figure does not come to mind. Throughout this process, I have come to understand how challenging running for a political office can be. With this new understanding, I admire all those who have the courage and desire to serve and build their community amid such public scrutiny.

Why are you running for school board? I am running for school board because I have a great love for children and have high admiration and respect for teachers and staff. I thrive in seeing others recognize their potential and progress toward achieving it. I believe all within the district, from children to administration, can continually progress. By running for school board, I am in a position to be an influence for good and have an active role in decisions that will build on what is working and focus on areas that need improvement to help restore greater confidence in the district.

Describe the top three educational challenges you think you’ll face in the coming school year and explain your strategies to overcome those challenges.
a. A challenge this year will be to restore the community’s confidence in the school board. I believe this can be done through constant and regular communication between both parties to ensure that the community’s voice and concerns are heard and understood. Trust will grow when the community feels the school board truly cares about them and their children.
b. Another challenge will be how money is spent within the budget. Important emphasis should be placed on the monitoring of spending to balance ‘needs’ vs. ‘wants.’
c. A continued challenge will be setting high expectations for rigorous curriculum in an effort to achieve more ‘excelling’ school labels. Focus needs to be directed at continued teacher training while regularly reviewing test scores and overall performance of students and schools. Strong emphasis should be placed on encouraging more active participation from parents within the school and home.

What spending issues in your district’s budget do you challenge and what would you do instead? Before challenging the budget, I would like to gather information from the parents of children within the district because their opinions may differ on how money should be spent. Factors such as transportation, adequate resources, extra -curricular activities, and proficient teachers should all be considered when budgeting for a child’s well-rounded education.

While school districts cannot advocate an override, what can be done to help market an override for districts that have had recent defeats? Teacher unions and parent groups can help market an override of the schools by educating the community.

What effect has the emphasis placed on high results on the AIMS test had on your district, schools and personnel? Do you think it should be a high school graduation requirement? The emphasis of higher results on AIMS testing has yielded an overall steady climb of scores. 5 years ago schools that had only 9% passing are now to 60%. Teachers are receiving in-service training in areas such as technology and ways to engage students along with other components to improve AIMS testing. The district is performing benchmark assessments to measure student performance in relation to AIMS to prepare more effectively. AIMS has set a high standard where students, teachers, and schools are benefitting. While I do feel high results on AIMS is important, I do not feel it should be the sole factor in whether or not a student graduates.

What role should schools play in issues such as sex education and preventing alcohol/drug abuse and teen suicide? In an ideal society, major issues such as these should be taught within the home. I understand many children do not have this privilege. Schools need to educate their students who are amid decisions relating to these issues continuously. School responsibility should be to teach the truths and facts regarding these subjects as well as abstinence. Many students are unaware of the dangers simply because they are receiving false education from their peers, or at times, the media.

Should more schools in your district consider requiring uniforms or more standardized dress? Why or why not? This has been a sensitive issue for many over this past year. I can see pros and cons to each side. Personally, as a family, we have saved money by not having to buy uniforms. The proof as to if uniforms improve test scores and classroom behavior has not yet been established. Therefore, I am comfortable at this time with requiring and enforcing a strict dress code, but not uniforms.

What should your district do if anything to compete with charter schools, private schools and neighboring school districts? What should your district do to boost student enrollment? The district can continually work at raising the bar so schools reach an ‘excelling’ status. A wide variety of extra-curricular activities will also draw more students to increased opportunities available to support their interests. I believe student enrollment will increase through establishing trust in the school board, district leadership, teachers, and staff.

Are there any particular programs or programs in the curriculum that you’d like to see changed? Please explain. I believe programs and curriculum should be developed by those who teach it. I have confidence and trust in them as long as the programs and curriculums meet parent approval and the goals of the district.

Are you satisfied with the performance of the superintendent and overall district leadership? Yes. Prior to our current administration, I did not feel the district was on a progressive course. The current superintendent and district leadership have made good strides of overcoming past problems of the district and are continually seeking to improve the education of all within the district as evidenced by higher test scores and growth management.

Are you satisfied with the technology available to teachers and students in the district? If so, explain. If not, what specific technology would you support? This is an area I feel the district can improve in. Currently, computer use is utilized in almost every professional occupation. It is important for students to have knowledge and confidence in the usage of current computer tools and applications. More than just teaching technology, we need to teach math, science, and English using technology. This would require a greater demand for computers in the classrooms.

How do you feel about year-round school? Undecided due to uncertain educational benefits/retention and possible fiscal impacts.

Do you feel your district sufficiently communicates with parents and the community? If not, how would you improve that communication? How can you get the community more involved in schools? I have noticed a positive change in communication. I receive multiple media communication from the district via the mail, newsletter, phone, email, television stations, and the community connection fair. I feel the community could become more involved if teachers, aides, and classroom volunteers were encouraged to personally contact student’s parents and invite them to participate.

If redistricting is an issue for your school district on the November ballot, what do you think about the issue? Are you in favor or opposed? Why? N/A

With the closing of the Thomas J. Pappas Schools for the homeless this year, how should districts serve the influx of these students? The district should be aware of these student’s specific circumstances and assist in finding solutions to their educational needs. i.e. If students do not have a quiet place to study, allow them after school time in the library for a safe environment to study and complete homework assignments.

What changes if any do you think should be made to the No Child Left Behind Act? How has NCLB affected your school district? At this time, I do not see reason for change to No Child Left Behind. I believe it has made for greater attention and emphasis on preparing students for tests.

How long have you lived in the district? 7 years.

Do you have children in the district? If so, what schools do they attend and what grades? Yes. I have a 6th grader and 2nd grader at Dysart Elementary.

ALSO IF ANY OF YOU HAVE ANY 'CATCHY' SLOGANS, LET ME KNOW!!!!

Feel free to pass this along to neighbors and friends.