I recently received the following list of questions and felt it important to share along with my responses.
1. What are your priorities for the district in the short term?
Short term priorities for the district will largely depend upon the actions of the current board and administration in the coming months. If the referendum controversy is ongoing, my priority will be to increase dialogue, improve communications, and challenge members and administrators to do what is right instead of what is easy.
2. What do you think is the greatest challenge in the Monroe school district right now?
The referendum issues and school construction are important and currently represent the greatest challenge to the district because of the division being created in our community. This however, shouldn’t downplay the importance of educational programming and staff retention. We need to focus on evaluating and improving educational programming and communicating results to the public. Many feel the district is failing due to report card scores, but those scores do not show the full story and are not meant to be compared to other schools or districts.
3. Do you see yourself primarily as a representative of the community or a representative of the school system?
Elected officials are representatives of the voters.
4. With the current issues regarding the referendum, do you have a plan to help restore public trust?
Trust can only be restored through action. The board and administration must focus on transparency, communication, open and honest discussion, and as stated earlier, doing what is right rather than what is easy.
5. If elected, do you see yourself as a leader or a follower? Do you have the strength to stand alone on issues based on your principles?
I have no interest in sacrificing my principles or integrity to become a member of the board of education. I will speak my mind and vote based on what I believe is the right thing to do.
6. Do you think it is important for a school board member to have a thorough understanding of information relayed to the community to help ensure that it is correct and transparent?
I think the board must count on experts and advisers to provide them accurate information. Board members are volunteers and not all experts in curriculum, finance, management, etc. They need to recognize the limits of their knowledge and be willing to ask questions and seek answers from experts when they are necessary for decision making. I think it is important to understand that the board is a governing body and their role is strategic. They set policy, provide guidance, and hold the administrative staff accountable.