Why
are you running for MTUESD School Board?
As
a parent, teacher, and former coach, I believe in the importance of
our youth's education. I first ran for the school board because
I thought I could help make a positive difference, and offer voters
the opportunity to continue my efforts for another term.
What,
do you feel, are your qualifications?
My
activity within the community, my experience within the classroom as
a teacher, and, not least, my years as a parent provide what I view
as a broad and compassionate perspective in making decisions for our
students' education.
What
will you bring to the Board that you feel will make a difference?
A
willingness to listen and not overreact, to help establish policy and
not micromanage, and to recognize that I represent act as only one
voice of the board.
What
are your feelings on the common core teaching methods being utilized
currently?
The
CCSS represents one of the most dramatic as well as emotionally charged changes within our
curriculum for generations. This poses challenges as well as
concerns for parents, teachers, and, most importantly, the students.
I believe this process must be appropriately supported and constantly
monitored, and make sure students are not lost along this new
pathway. We must be wary of becoming a system focused solely on state
test scores.
What
are your three overall priorities if you are elected?
Fiscal
oversight, maintain proper staffing, and ensure seeking high
standards.
Does
our district have a Local Control and Accountability Plan? If so,
please explain how this plan works.
The
three-year MTUESD LCAP, which has been approved by the board last
spring, will be reviewed annually with stakeholder input. Within the
plan, we are required to focus attention and resources on students within the
foster youth, EL, socio-economic disadvantaged, and disability subgroups
by providing/increasing supplementary educational services. Many of
these services can and will be made available for all other student
subgroups. Another important component of our plan is providing the
CCSS training and support for staff.
Do
you support or oppose expanded public education to include preschool
in our district?
Preparing
our youngest students within an educational and social setting is an
important opportunity, provided we do not receive yet additional
unfunded mandates from the state or federal government.
Are
you familiar with Vergara v California? What is your understanding of
this case and what is your position on tenure?
We
all want the best for our kids, and one cannot argue against the
incalculable impact of effective staff members, especially teachers.
I recognize the flaws within the tenure system for teachers; more
time is needed to evaluate probationary teachers and removing
ineffective staff should not be financially prohibitive. At the
same time I will note the importance in avoiding a system where
teachers are targeted for removal for reasons unrelated to their
teaching, such as budgetary factors. The effects of the Vergara
decision, which undoubtedly will be delayed by appeal, may still
become the vehicle for legislators to make important changes on
tenure/dismissal procedures for teachers.
At
this time you may present a maximum 300 word statement.
I
thank the community members of Copperopolis and Angels Camp for
allowing me to represent you in prior terms as a MTUESD School
Board member, and ask you to provide your support again this
election.