Carol Kanode: We all need to be involved
RACE FOR OCEAN VIEW SCHOOL DISTRICT
Name: Carol Kanode
Age: 65
Occupation: Pediatric nurse practitioner; Ocean View High School
nurse, Healthy Start coordinator
Family: Three adult children; one grandson; one granddaughter.
Community activities: Twelve-year member of Ocean View School
Board; co-founder of the Huntington Beach Children’s Needs Task
Force; member of the Therapeutic Riding Center; Huntington Beach
Anti-Crime Coalition.
Education: Bachelor’s from Cal State University, Long Beach;
public health credential; master’s in educational administration from
Pepperdine University.
Favorite leader: Eleanor Roosevelt.
Contact info: carolkanode@yahoo.com.
KANODE ON:
* STUDENT SAFETY:
Recent events in our district indicate a need to review our
policies on student safety. Parents trust schools with their most
valuable assets -- their children. We must do all in our power not to
betray that trust. Student safety is primary in all aspects of school
life. Our staffs must be provided with continual in-services, which
focus on student safety issues such as: potential violence, disaster
preparedness, bullying and child abuse. We must involve our community
in the development and oversight of healthy and safety programs at
every school site.
* RAISING STUDENT TEST SCORES:
We have exemplary administrators, teachers and support staffs in
our district. Students are receiving a quality education as
exemplified by the Academic Performance Index scores. We must
continually monitor student progress and adjust programs if the API
scores change. However, it is important to develop a different
educational approach for retained students -- some for two years --
who have not met the standards. This presents a large problem, with
ramifications for the student and to society as a whole. There is an
imperative need to develop a plan to assist these students in order
that they be prepared for a productive adult life. It is a top
priority to explore alternative programs for these students with the
high school district. There is also a need to expand and replicate
the Oak View early education model to the other four Title I
elementary schools. All of our children must enter school ready to
learn. This is our best guarantee for continued student success as
measured by test scores. It is also important to expand our
articulation with the high school district to include a plan to
monitor the progress of our students.
* FISCAL IMPROVEMENTS TO THE DISTRICT:
Continue to balance the budget by sound fiscal management.
Additionally, continue support for the Community Budget Committee,
which is composed of community members who gain insights into school
financial issues. There is a need to maximize the lease incomes at
our unused school sites. We are indeed fortunate to have an income
stream. There is an ongoing responsibility to focus financial
resources in the classroom, to modernize facilities, to repay the
Certificates of Participation for the gyms and to adequately
compensate our staffs.
BIGGEST ISSUE FACING THE DISTRICT:
The most pressing issue facing our district is the divisiveness
that exists in our community. There is a chasm that has expanded. I
consider this to be a major problem, for we must have community
support for public education. The community consists of every person,
those with and without children in school. To correct a problem it
becomes necessary to look at its genesis. The community must be
involved in all aspects of change, from the formulation of a concept
to its fruition. It is important to remember as a board member that I
represent the entire school community. This means I must be available
to listen to the voices of those with whom I agree with and with
those whom I may disagree. I always learn from those voices.
Communication can be improved by establishing board goals to improve
community relations and to share the wonderful educational programs
we have for children. A means to accomplish this would be to
establish community forums where ideas and concerns can freely be
addressed, community “school open houses” and re-establishment of the
Ocean Foundation. I want to be instrumental in bringing peace to our
district, for this is in the best interest of the children we serve.
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