Answer's for all candidates were published in
the October 19, 2023 edition of the paper.
Do you believe board members have a role in the day-to-day operation of the district?
No
The school board is NOT in charge of day-to-day operations - this is the job of the superintendent and the other administrators.
Do you believe an individual board member’s opinion on an issue supersedes their obligation to support a board decision?
No
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. Once these decisions have been made by the school board as a whole, we must ALL support them as individuals.
Do you believe the history of racial discrimination in the US should be taught in your district?
Yes
We should be teaching all aspects of World History and American History in the designated classes, following the board approved curriculum.
Do you believe students should be permitted to request to be addressed by alternative names or pronouns in a classroom setting without parent approval?
Yes
There are many reasons to be addressed by alternative names, including nicknames, choosing a name in a foreign language class, and so on.
Do you believe comprehensive sex education classes should be taught in your district?
Yes
I support the delivery of the state required sex education curriculum, including the current policy giving parents permission to opt their students out.
------------
How important is it for the board to consider the financial burden on taxpayers when making budget decisions?
Very Important
How important is it for a board of education to be publicly unified in their decisions?
Very Important
How effective was your district’s covid response?
Somewhat Effective
How effective is the district’s budget in addressing educational needs?
Effective
*(Double check this) Much of the building improvements come from our PI fund, but the recent overages came from general budget - this could be better spent elsewhere, if we were able to build better schools.
How effective is the budget in addressing taxpayer needs?
Effective
------------
What motivated you to run for your local school board?
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. The students in the Chardon School District are my top priority. In collaboration with the teachers, administrators and other board members, I will work hard to make sure that every child is given the opportunity to succeed and have access to a high-quality education. 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. I am not running with a goal of achieving a personal or political agenda.
Does your district align with your vision of education for the community? If yes, in what ways? If no, what changes should be made?
When my husband & I moved to Chardon, we were specifically looking for a school system with an “Excellent” distinction or higher. Chardon met that requirement & continues to perform well. Not only are we rated highly, but we have innovative programs which help develop our children into the next generation of well-rounded citizens in ALL areas including enrollment, employment, or enlistment.
After vision meetings from the district last year, the feedback was used to create the 2023-2028 Success plan. I would like to ensure we are striving to complete implementation strategies described in that plan, especially in the areas of communication & community connections as well as facilities & engaged student learning.
I look forward to helping wherever possible as a member of the board!
What are the major challenges facing your district, and how can the board address them?
I feel as if there is a sense of distrust of our educators & administrators despite their degrees, certifications, & years of experience. Some of this may be derived from misinformation & rumors presented in today’s landscape of unchecked internet statements. Combined with today’s polarized political climate, we have driven a gap into our community. We should work to bridge the gap & create more trust within our schools via open communication. I am happy to speak with community members, helping them seek out answers from the appropriate sources. I am willing to share school publications & information with folks who may not be aware. Balancing perspectives can be a challenge for the board, but we must set our personal beliefs aside and focus on our student’s needs and success.
* Aging infrastructure requires our attention since voters have turned down multiple bond issues. Classrooms are not formatted to accommodate todays staff and student needs - we don’t have potable water or water in the classrooms. We are building a bus garage!
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.
What do you feel are the board’s primary roles and responsibilities? Do you feel your local school board has, until now, fulfilled those roles? If yes, how? If no, where have they fallen short?
A school board member must remember they are 1 in a team of 5; their role in the district is to work within this team of 5 people to listen, compromise, and approve all policies, contracts, budgets, curriculums, and such brought before them by the superintendent & treasurer. They must keep in mind the needs of students, teachers, & staff along with the wants of the community. As an active parent in the schools as well as out in the community via kid sports & personal activities, I feel as if I can keep in touch with both school & community members to be sure everyone’s wants/needs are considered. Schools are the heart of our community & as a board we need to support them.
The Ohio Department of Education recently made changes to its statewide report cards to better reflect district performance. What metrics should a local board of education use to determine whether its goals are being met and its policies successfully carried out?
Though the state report card shows how Chardon performs compared to the Ohio districts (via a 5-star rating system) in key areas including Achievement, Gap Closing, and Graduation, the board must consider other metrics which truly present a COMPREHENSIVE view of the district’s success. What percentages of students participate in extracurriculars including sports, music or drama programs, STEM clubs and more? How are the district’s programs & facilities supporting all 4 Es: education, employment, enlistment, and entrepreneurship? Are we accomplishing the 2023-2023 Success Plan action items? Are we meeting all these various metrics deeming us “successful” in comparison to the dollars spent in the district? The board must receive reports in all these areas and truly determine if we are succeeding.
*The staff also utilizes other standardized tests, including the MAP and DIBELS tests, to ensure students are making academic gains toward the state standard. These details should be reviewed and utilized by the board.
Also comment on fiscal responsibility reports.
*My two cents is that the Local Report Card is one indicator of school progress and student success. It is not the only indicator of school district success. We need to continue to look at multiple factors including:
Services that support the whole child, counselors, workforce readiness, CCP, etc.
We need to consider extracurricular opportunities. The more students are involved with clubs, sports and other programs, the more successful they will be in school.
We need to consider accomplishments of Success Plan strategies and action items.
We need to look at the return on expenditures. How successful are Chardon students in relation to dollars spent?
We need to look at our facilities and technology and the degree to which it provides students with an educational experience that prepares them for the 4 E's
These are just a few of the indicators that offer a truly comprehensive view of our school district.
What are the expectations for public behavior for members of the board of education?
Board members must be respectful and kind citizens in the community. Just as I teach my own children, I would expect board members, as adults, to follow: although we may not personally understand or agree with someone else’s religion or lifestyle, we must respect it.
After reviewing the current and/or proposed budget for your school district, where would you look to make budget cuts if elected? What areas would you not consider cutting?
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. Should a cut in state funding cause the district to be in a position where cuts in the school’s budget are necessary, I would rely on the expertise of the superintendent and the treasurer for recommendations, as they run the day-to-day operations and would know the places to modify the budget that would be the least disruptive.
Do you feel your school district has adequate security protocols in place? If not, where could they improve?
The new safety vestibule at CMS as well as the one which is in planning at CHS are a great addition to security at the entrances of our buildings. I support the use of school resource officers (trained police officers) and, should the budget permit, would love to see more. Our children perform lock down drills regularly, which have been reported as effective.
*Monitor evening activities to have our buildings more closed down.
Potential community education programs get more residents in the building which could lead to supporting additional funding or grants.
School resource officers or admin staff rotation when monitoring (Note to self - remember contracted staff hours)
Do you believe school districts have a responsibility to provide a mental health/social emotional learning curriculum? Why or why not?
*Note: For some reason, my answer to this question was omitted from print.
We do have to provide social emotional learning, as directed by the state. I also believe “social emotional learning” is a buzz-word, and the concept has existed for years under various names and it already applied to our schools. For example, at Munson we “climb to the TOP”: Take Responsibility, Offer Kindness, and Preserve. At CMS we are caring, mindful & solution focused. I support these programs and I like the positive reinforcement of these values with recognition and rewards.