CHARDON EDUCATION ASSOCIATION Questionnaire - Andrea's Answers

Why are you interested in serving on the board of education? 

I have been involved in the schools as PTO President at Munson as well as active PTO member & robotics club volunteer at CMS. I’d like to continue supporting Chardon’s students, staff, and administrators as a member of the school board. I truly believe the public schools are the backbone of our community and we need folks like myself, who have the best interest of our children & schools in mind, on the board.

What are the three things you value most about Chardon Local Schools?

1. High educational rating per Ohio State report cards & excellent opportunities for students - When my husband and I moved to Chardon, we were specifically looking for a public school system with an “Excellent” distinction or higher. Chardon met that requirement and continues to perform well, in the Top 10% of Ohio schools last year. Chardon is not only rated highly, but I see innovative programs which help develop our children into the next generation of well-rounded citizens in ALL areas including enrollment in college, employment in community, or enlistment with our military

2. Quality of teachers & staff - Their willingness to answer my questions and help my children (and other children) as much as possible to ensure they are grasping concepts taught in the classrooms. When speaking with various teachers & staff throughout our district, I hear that many of them are tasked with helping children at multiple learning levels throughout the day, and they continually do their best to tailor lessons to all these levels.

3. Culture that is taught AND supported - At Munson we climb to the TOP: Take Responsibility, Offer Kindness, and Preserve. At CMS we are caring, mindful & solution focused. I like the positive reinforcement of these values with recognition and rewards. 

As an elected board member, how do you plan to dispel myths or misinformation regarding our schools within the community? 

Early on in my campaign I was advised that the best way to get information is to go straight to the source– the teacher, the principal, or the district administration. I am happy to speak with community members and help them seek out answers to questions from the appropriate sources. I am willing to share school publications and information I learned in public board sessions with folks who may not be aware.

As a current PTO board member, a lot of people already look to me to answer school related questions beyond PTO events & responsibilities, and I am always trying to help them reach out to find the answer or sharing what I know!

How do you plan to assume a supportive leadership role in this community as a champion of Chardon Local Schools and public education in general? 

Thus far, as shown in my volunteer roles in the elementary schools & middle school, I fully support our schools. I will continue to stay in touch with both school & community members. While on the board, I would support the 2023-2028 Success Plan by serving on any committees, especially those created to increase communication & community connections as well as those which support facilities and engaged learning (curriculum). I have a passion for our children & their education and look forward to helping wherever possible as a member of the board. 

How will you advocate for the Chardon Local Schools, including encouraging the necessary financial support through future levies and/or bond issues? 

In terms of bond issues, I believe the community has spoken clearly against a bond issue for new buildings. I don’t believe a bond issue will be brought to voters in this 4-year term of office. However, I am pleased to see the district using available funding to continue to make necessary upgrades to prolong the life of our existing buildings.  We need to continue to provide warm, safe & dry buildings with upgraded technologies to support an excellent educational experience, while being responsible stewards of local tax dollars.

In the future, I would love to sit on a master planning committee for a K-12 educational building(s) and engage to find compromises and community connections to hopefully support new or heavily refurbished building(s) in the long run. 

In terms of levies, it is not forecasted that the district will need additional operating funds in the next 4 years. We need to continue to competitively compensate teachers & support staff. It is also important to provide all learning tools and updated technology utilizing the current funding options, including ESSER funds and the Tan Loan. 

How do you plan to address the varying interests of all students and families in our district? How will you navigate the task of balancing your personal beliefs with the responsibility you have to serve the community and the office?

The most important thing to remember, which I tell my own children, is that we may not personally understand or agree with someone else’s religion or lifestyle, but we must respect it. Moreover, public school districts are charged with educating ALL students, regardless of their beliefs, and thus as a school board member, my personal beliefs will not be a factor in making decisions about educating all students fairly & equitably. I am an open-minded and objective individual, and therefore I welcome fact based conversations and learning opportunities with folks who may have different beliefs from myself. I look forward to discussions amongst the board, should any issues of differing opinions on topics brought to us arise. 

What is your view on the removal or censorship of instructional and media center materials? 

Our teachers & media specialists select materials to support the curriculum and current interests of the students - these materials must certainly be age appropriate. In my experience with our schools thus far, I have not found any issues with materials presented to my children. I encourage parents to be proactive in finding what the children are learning, as I do, by reviewing beginning of the year open house materials as well as weekly updates to find out what the children are reading & watching. There is an existing review process for curriculum concerns brought by parents or community members, which I support. Should myself or another person ever be concerned, I would use this process. 

Who do you believe is the most qualified to make curricular decisions for our school district and why?

As it has been explained to me, the existing process to choose or change a curriculum is rigorous. Teachers, support staff, & administrators make recommendations based on years of experience and industry expertise. There is also a mandatory notification and review period for parents & community members to comment and ask questions. Once various rounds of review are complete, the curriculum is  presented to the board for approval. I support the current process and believe it is serving our schools & community well.