What is the biggest issue facing the...

What is the biggest issue facing the school district?

Budget shortfalls requiring innovative budget measures to meet the

growing needs of the district is a basic need that has to be met

before the required course offerings and curriculum guidelines can be

met at optimum levels. We must be fiscally responsible.

What can be done to keep test scores on the rise?

Continued support of the No Child Left Behind Act will bring

students to college with higher level skills. Restructuring of course

offerings and curriculum at community colleges can increase the

levels of achievement of students, providing greater opportunity for

those pursuing four-year degrees at the university level.

What needs to be done to bolster the budget? What programs should

take priorities?

President Bush has spoken recently about increasing funding to

community colleges across our nation. We need to support candidates

that will provide increased funding not those who just say they will.

I speak, write and lobby at local, state and federal levels to

increase funding to education, and I will continue to advocate for

meeting the needs of education. The core general education

requirements should be provided for students to retain the ability to

transfer successfully to four year colleges and universities. Other

programs are important for the community as well, such as vocational

and self-improvement courses.

How can school board members better communicate with parents and

the community?

A website with informational pages, as well as a newsletter, would

provide valuable information and updates for the community. As board

members, we must be willing to speak with and listen to public

constituents when they attend board meetings, and when other public

forums provide for interaction. Informational articles published in

local newspapers can be beneficial as well.