My responses to the LWV voter guide questionnaire
April 10 2010 04:55 PM Filed in: Voting
This week all candidates were given the opportunity to submit answers to the questionnaire distributed by the Austin League of Women voters. It’s such a challenge to do a good job within the space we’re given. But it’s a great opportunity as a candidate to let people know what I believe are the top issues facing our district, our teachers and our children.
Every election cycle, the Austin League of Women Voters offers an incredible service to the community by reaching out to every candidate for office giving them the chance to speak to the issues. I encourage you to support their efforts by donating to help them continue to provide this non-partisan resource.
This year the LWV sent me their questionnaire for school board candidates, offering me the same opportunity. The challenge? Fully describe the issues and their solutions in 75 words or less. Even more challenging when 75 words has to describe 3 problems and the action you’d take to resolve them.
Here are the questions asked by the League and my answers:
1. What are the three most critical issues facing your district today, and what actions are needed to resolve each of these issues?
2. What would you do to advocate for and ensure the support for public education in your community.
Actively work with parents and community members through multiple venues, including LEEF, local business through multiple Chambers of Commerce, ACC Campus Advisory Committee. Active member of the School Board Advocacy Network. Volunteer teacher for the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) and National School Board Association to train board members to work with state and federal officials. Also, active with TASB Grassroots Advocacy and the Legislative Advocacy Council for Williamson County and Region 13.
3. What would you do to help low-performing students and schools?
Within 5 years, reduce the performance gap between economically disadvantaged students and non-economically disadvantaged students across all grades to 5 percentage points or less (to reach 0 in 9 years). By supporting our teachers by providing proven research-based best practice staff development, support for teacher’s professional learning communities, providing a guaranteed and viable curriculum for students, and a safe and well-maintained school that is optimal for student learning. See www.leanderisd.org for detailed information.
This year the LWV sent me their questionnaire for school board candidates, offering me the same opportunity. The challenge? Fully describe the issues and their solutions in 75 words or less. Even more challenging when 75 words has to describe 3 problems and the action you’d take to resolve them.
Here are the questions asked by the League and my answers:
1. What are the three most critical issues facing your district today, and what actions are needed to resolve each of these issues?
- Further increase the percentage of students who are college and career ready. Use data, strategic planning, and provide teachers support and resources.
- Unprecedented district growth: 30,324 students today, 58,454 by 2019. Hire and retain leadership with extensive experience. My 9 previous years board experience prepares me for this.
- Continued conservative fiscal management: continue to push for savings in operational expenses and recruit strong financial management personnel to effect better efficiencies in spending.
2. What would you do to advocate for and ensure the support for public education in your community.
Actively work with parents and community members through multiple venues, including LEEF, local business through multiple Chambers of Commerce, ACC Campus Advisory Committee. Active member of the School Board Advocacy Network. Volunteer teacher for the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) and National School Board Association to train board members to work with state and federal officials. Also, active with TASB Grassroots Advocacy and the Legislative Advocacy Council for Williamson County and Region 13.
3. What would you do to help low-performing students and schools?
Within 5 years, reduce the performance gap between economically disadvantaged students and non-economically disadvantaged students across all grades to 5 percentage points or less (to reach 0 in 9 years). By supporting our teachers by providing proven research-based best practice staff development, support for teacher’s professional learning communities, providing a guaranteed and viable curriculum for students, and a safe and well-maintained school that is optimal for student learning. See www.leanderisd.org for detailed information.