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POSTED: Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Dept. 1: Hawaii (1)

J. William Sanborn

Age: 61

Job: Property management, self-employed. Current SCC vice chair implementing ACT 51 options to decentralization

What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
Hands-on community volunteer, business and professional advocate and common sense decision-maker.

Do you support or oppose closing or consolidating schools with low enrollment?  Explain.
Decentralize, refocus responsibilities for administration, delivery and accountability through home rule school districts and fully fund. Fully fund alternative schools showing better average results than public schools average. Explore student vouchers. Consolidate if within, say, a three-mile radius if warranted otherwise equal educational opportunities must be delivered into local communities as reasonable, equally and fair as possible, not solely based upon cost justifications.

Should existing Department of Education funds be used to pay for drug testing of teachers?
Yes to testing and DOE funded. Public trust requires zero tolerance and it “trumps” the civil liberties argument.

Do you support or oppose the creation of a statewide preschool system? Explain
Early childhood development is the key to improvement in long-term results. Implement standards guidelines statewide but fund implement and deliver it through home rule districts.

What can be done to ensure that every Hawaii classroom has a highly qualified teacher?
Accept national standards mainland credentials; encourage attractive incentives for completing accreditation; redistribute funding to better support those employees that are individually responsible for delivering quality education — the teacher.

  What is the biggest challenge facing public schools, and what would you do about it?

  Lack of leadership and personal will to restructure public school delivery completely.

Herbert Watanabe

Age: 80

Job: Retired, Department of Education

Past: Board of Education member since 1997

What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?

A member of the Board of Education completing 12 years of elected service. Served as BOE chairman three years. Served as BOE vice chairman of the board seven years. I have been an educator with 39 years of service, seven years as a teacher, one year as vice principal, three years as a principal, over 28 years as a district business specialist.

Do you support or oppose closing or consolidating schools with low enrollment? Explain.

I support the closing of or consolidating schools on a case by case basis; especially where enrollment continues to decline and where such decline or low enrollment affects enhancement of learning, having multi grade classes that affect effective educational outcome.

Should existing Department of Education funds be used to pay for drug testing of teachers?

I do not support using existing Department of Education funds to pay for drug testing of teachers. The provision of drug testing in the teacher’s contract is an unfunded mandate. Taking existing funds for drug testing would take allocations away from students. The DOE is already faced with budget cuts up to $20 million thus far.

Do you support or oppose the creation of a statewide preschool system? Explain.

Learning begins as early as or earlier than age one. I firmly believe the sooner a child is provided structured learning experiences, the greater the development of knowledge takes place. I support a statewide preschool system. Funding for such endeavor must be in addition to operating the current K-12 programs.

What can be done to ensure that every Hawaii classroom has a highly qualified teacher?

 

The DOE recruits nearly one thousand new teachers each year. Every effort must be made to recruit teachers who are highly qualified in their grade or subject specialty. The department must expand opportunities for professional development to enable teachers to become highly qualified.

What is the biggest challenge facing public schools, and what would you do about it?
  With shrinking budgets due to a slowing economy and the federal No Child Left Behind Act mandates, our challenge is “;how do we meet the need of all students”; and achieve our goal: 100 percent of students proficient in reading and math. To do this, we must increase funding at the school level for classroom learning, create more incentive packages to attract highly qualified teachers, target the needs of second-language learners and special-needs population, offer courses that meet the demands of the 21st century and release ineffective administrators and educators.

Dept. 7: Kauai (1)

Maggie Cox

Age: 64

Job: Retired teacher, principal Past: Served on the Board of Education for one term

What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?
Because of my educational knowledge as the result of 30-plus years in the Department of Education, I have been given the following board responsibilities: Chairperson of K-12 Regular Education Committee, board designee of Title 1 Committee of Practitioners, board designee of the Hawaii Teachers Standards board, member of the National Association of State Boards of Education Study Committee on Early Secondary Schools, board member on the management negotiations team dealing with the Hawaii State Teachers Association, member of the Budget, Special Services, Support Services/Library, and Audit Committees.

I believe very strongly in our public school system and am diligently working with state and complex area personnel to monitor and improve our schools so that each student may achieve to his/her potential.

Do you support or oppose closing or consolidating schools with low enrollment? Explain.

This obviously is not the first choice for anyone; however, I do believe we need to look at consolidating schools where possible. The majority of a school’s budget is for personnel which means very small schools don’t have enough funds to provide the resources needed for an appropriate education for its students.

Should existing Department of Education funds be used to pay for drug testing of teachers?

The department should pay for setting procedures of “For Cause” testing and adding personnel to run the program. With budget cuts of twenty million dollars so far, I do not want to use funds that could be helping students learn to randomly test teachers.

Do you support or oppose the creation of a statewide preschool system? Explain.

The cost of the 10-year plan is not feasible at this time; however, with the demands put on education by NCLB all children need preschool experience which means eventually we need to get there.

What can be done to ensure that every Hawaii classroom has a highly qualified teacher?

The department has a plan approved by the feds that is consistently increasing the number. Special federal funding is available to help teachers take the PRAXIS as well as courses to get qualified in specific areas.

(To make sure that everyone understands, a teacher may be highly qualified in one subject but teach one class out of their area; they are then unqualified in that class. In the past a teacher could teach a subject with a college minor, but now NCLB says they have to have a major. The toughest is for secondary special education. Their degree has never been in a major core area; they are trained to work with disabilities. They now are considered unqualified under NCLB.)

If the question is looking at recruitment and retention, then the statewide coaching and mentoring programs are addressing the issue with limited resources. At the heart of the problem is that our universities are not able to graduate enough teachers to fill the demand of the department. I was recruited to teach in 1969 and know how difficult it is having family so far away; therefore, many recruited teachers leave for personal reasons.

What is the biggest challenge facing public schools, and what would you do about it?

  Obviously we want our students to be on par with students from anywhere else in the world. The Board Recognition Diploma, the American Diploma Project, Algebra II end-of-course testing, Algebra I end-of-course testing are a few of the initiatives in conjunction with other states that work toward that end. The focus on the classroom and the interactions with teachers and students is most important, and I'm working to get more resources shifted from the state to complexes and schools.

Larry Fillhart

Age: 57

Job: Carpenter, contractor, building inspector, teacher

Past: Teacher's credential, parent

What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?

I believe I am qualified for this position for I am a former California credentialed teacher, graduating from Palomar Junior College, San Marcos, Calif., AA degree, UCSB, Santa Barbara, CA. BA in History and English, San Diego State University, Secondary Education. I have lived 20 of the last 34 years in Hawaii, mostly on Kauai, but living on Oahu, Lanai, Molokai, Mauai, and Hawaii also. I have been a union carpenter in local 745, off and on since 1974, when I first moved to Hanalei ... Since I have worked with the people who have children and grandchildren in our school system.

Do you support or oppose closing or consolidating schools with low enrollment? Explain.

I believe all schools should be judged by results. If a school with low enrollment can meet or beat the federal standards, then it should be allowed to operate as is. If they can’t, then they should be consolidated into a group that must meet these standards. There is no place for in between nor excuses. Our students should become educated enough to compete with the rest of the nation and the world.

Should existing Department of Education funds be used to pay for drug testing of teachers?

Drug testing is a big hu-hu in Hawaii schools. To eliminate drugs in the school environment, one must work at the bottom. As in most large private industries, the individual is the culprit, if he does not imbibe, there is no problem. If our teachers may be an example for their students to follow, they must be randomly tested, according to constitutional guidelines. Unfortunately, some our hypocritical and believe students should be better than the teacher. Marijuana is probably the drug of choice and which stays in the system the longest, making it easier to detect. I do not think anyone should be fired for reasonable mistakes. However, the teachers should honor their contract and submit to random testing while the Board of Education should pay for negative results.

Do you support or oppose the creation of a statewide preschool system? Explain.

At this time the public does not seem willing to spend more money on a system that is not working. We should fix the system and ask for extra funding at that time.

What can be done to ensure that every Hawaii classroom has a highly qualified teacher?

All teachers should be credentialed. Moreover, teachers should be compensated well enough to compete with others and maintain a progressive standard of living without the need for supplemental income. We should have more incentives, such as state sponsored housing, to bring more qualified people to our schools and compensate the ones already here doing a great job.

What is the biggest challenge facing public schools, and what would you do about it?

  The biggest challenge facing our public schools seems to be our ability, or inability to obtain our AYP (adequate yearly progress) as mandated by the federal government from the NCLB (No Child Left Behind law). These standards maintain that all students across the country should develop and learn reasonably the same. According to a letter sent to me from Kauai High School, “;To meet performance targets, at least 44 percent of the students in the school must get scores that are 'proficient' or better on the reading test and 28 percent of students must get scores that are 'proficient' or better on the math test.”;

Dept. 3: Honolulu (1)

Carol Mon Lee

Age: 61

Job: Former teacher, retired law school administrator, lawyer

Past: Business; community volunteer

What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?

The BOE needs new blood with fresh ideas and different perspectives. My unique background, including experience from decades of working in this community, makes me particularly qualified to join the BOE. I have worked in education as a teacher and administrator and have also been involved in school governance. I am also a lawyer with business experience. I have a practical sensibility with a willingness to work hard and dig deep. I can invest the time necessary to devote to the board to help our state public education system meet its full potential.

Do you support or oppose closing or consolidating schools with low enrollment? Explain.

Low enrollment should only be one factor in determining whether a school is closed or consolidated. A larger analysis of the issues would include seeking input from the community and other affected parties and broadly soliciting suggestions for alternatives such as sharing space with new preschools or conversion to charter schools. Decisions could then be made on a case-by-case basis.

Should existing Department of Education funds be used to pay for drug testing of teachers?

Existing DOE funds should not be used to pay for random drug testing of teachers. I support the BOE’s position in rejecting using classroom funds to pay for drug testing. Funds should not be taken out of existing school budgets and should not affect teachers’ salaries or allocations for repair and maintenance.

Do you support or oppose the creation of a statewide preschool system? Explain.

I support early education and believe it is a vital step in preparing our students to achieve their maximum potential. A statewide system of preschools should be a part of our public education system.

What can be done to ensure that every Hawaii classroom has a highly qualified teacher?

Our teachers are the lifeblood of our school system. Effective teaching leads to good education. Good education results in better students and an improved society. We must provide teachers proper teaching environments, make them feel valued, offer educational opportunities to enhance their areas of expertise, give them control over their classrooms and respect them as the holders of our children’s future.

What is the biggest challenge facing public schools, and what would you do about it?

  The biggest challenge is how to reduce or eliminate those barriers that prevent us from realizing the full potential of our school system, e.g., uneven support from community and parents in promoting student success, economic issues, bureaucratic mandates and requirements, limited openness and accountability, inequity in resources, and too many demands and expectations from teachers and principals without adequate support. I am running for the BOE specifically to do something about those barriers. New blood will create new dialogue, resulting in new solutions.

Denise Matsumoto

Age: 47

Job: Preschool teacher, currently director of Children's Ministries at Island Family Christian Church

What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?

I have served on the Board of Education since 1988. As a current member, I have been an integral part of many of the improvements and reforms going on right now in the Department of Education.

Do you support or oppose closing or consolidating schools with low enrollment? Explain.

Small schools can be high performing, I support the concept of closing schools with really low enrollment. But I also support creating magnet schools, leasing unused school facilities and the board having control over the land to use the resources to generate revenue for our other facilities needs statewide.

Should existing Department of Education funds be used to pay for drug testing of teachers?

No. The Department took budget cuts in the legislative session, we have additional restrictions and could have more this fall. Our schools are already underfunded for supplies and equipment. Paying for drug testing will be taking money from our schools.

Do you support or oppose the creation of a statewide preschool system? Explain.

Yes, I am a preschool teacher and see the benefits, especially our four year olds first. And Keiki First Steps is a great plan that allows for parent choice of programs and includes provisions for public and private sources of funding, including parent fees.

What can be done to ensure that every Hawaii classroom has a highly qualified teacher?

Here’s a few of the myriad of things we have to do: Implementation of our state plan to help existing teachers become highly qualified. Attracting and retaining new teachers through pay and mentoring programs. Getting adequate funding for the tools they need in the classroom and for professional growth.

What is the biggest challenge facing public schools, and what would you do about it?

  Getting necessary resources to the schools to help them accomplish everything they need to do, such as standards-based education, high school redesign and meeting NCLB requirements. With these tough times we need to first look at cutting back unnecessary positions and programs at the top and reallocating the resources. Second, we need to know what supports each school needs and reconfigure services to assist them. And then we can be in a position to demand adequate funding that we are not getting now.

At-Large (3)

Lei Ahu Isa

Age: 64

Job: Hawaii Pacific University management professor

Past: State representative, 1996-2002

What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?

It took four years for me to get a grip on this huge bureaucratic organization. What is more frustrating than trying to convince people that the system needs help or trying to live with the fact that most people just don’t care? With my educational background and experience which you can read at the top), I need to be here.

Do you support or oppose closing or consolidating schools with low enrollment? Explain.

This is not an easy “yes” or “no” question, and there is no easy answer. Granted, it would make sense to close small schools, but there are little schools such as Maunaloa on Molokai. When I visited this elementary school, all the kupunas came out to testify against closing it. It is part of their community and is what holds that community together. This ‘anomaly’ school is one of several that we need to take into consideration.

Should existing Department of Education funds be used to pay for drug testing of teachers?

There is an HSTA lawsuit filed against the State/DOE and a counter lawsuit filed against HSTA by the State/DOE. Until that lawsuit is ruled upon, this question is mute. All I can say is that an unconstitutional issue should not have been included as a collective bargaining issue. Will the ruling jeopardize the 11 percent pay raise or will it force both sides back to the bargaining table to renegotiate? In difficult economic times, one should be careful in renegotiating raises.

Do you support or oppose the creation of a statewide preschool system? Explain

This would definitely help our children and our teachers. Yes, I support. ALL of our children every island deserve this.

What can be done to ensure that every Hawaii classroom has a highly qualified teacher?

Programs are already being implemented. We must also not forget the “effective” as well as highly qualified teacher. The successful Windward mentoring program, support from our principals through their leadership abilities, and perhaps more support from the department through incentives might ensure this. The percentage of highly qualified teachers has risen during my tenure on the board.
There is significant progress.

What is the biggest challenge facing public schools, and what would you do about it?

  More budget cuts, although the DOE must be used to this by now. Underfunding education has resulted in the elimination of music, art, physical education classes. Where do you go next? Junior varsity athletics? How do we increase our graduation rates and expect success in student achievement scores in this kind of environment where students sit in sweaty and unsafe classrooms? Get rid of the Student Weighted Formula! It is pressuring principals and pitting schools against each other. Too many challenges to prioritize as they all contribute to student achievement.

K. Darrow Aiona

Age: 73

Job: Retired professor, Leeward College

Past: Retired parish priest, St. Mark's Episcopal Church

What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?

As a 22-year former BOE member, I see that many of the problems and concerns that existed then haven’t changed. I am knowledgeable of our public school system after teaching many graduates over 29 years.

There have been some improvements in our schools: i.e., improved pupil-teacher ratio in elementary grades; development of the Hawaiian immersion schools, and charter schools. Now however we are in danger of over-testing our students.

Do you support or oppose closing or consolidating schools with low enrollment? Explain.

Closing or consolidating schools with low enrollment should be considered only on a case-by-case basis. The educational needs and benefits for the students involved should be the primary consideration, rather than an arbitrary population count. Transportation distances to nearby schools must also be considered. Often the community is built around a school, particularly in our rural areas.

Should existing Department of Education funds be used to pay for drug testing of teachers?

All existing DOE funds should be used for student directed educational programs. Any funds for drug testing should be paid for by the governor, perhaps with federal drug program money. The educational budget is being cut and I feel any use of much needed funds for “search” and punitive measures is wrong.

Do you support or oppose the creation of a statewide preschool system? Explain

Knowing the importance of early childhood education, but with the inadequacy of public school funding, I cannot at the present time encourage the creation of a statewide preschool system. A pilot program, focusing on low-income areas for working parents which could supplement Head Start, would be a reasonable beginning. It is important that Kindergarten be required of all students and available from age 4-1/2.

What can be done to ensure that every Hawaii classroom has a highly qualified teacher?

All teachers should be licensed and certified in the areas of their training, subject matter and expertise. For teachers placed in areas outside their certification, improved training should be available and accessible. All teachers should be upgraded on the pay scale as they add to their certifications without long bureaucratic struggles.

What is the biggest challenge facing public schools, and what would you do about it?

  Public schools must be adequately funded to ensure that all students are given a solid foundation in basic skills. I am committed to an educational system that is comprehensive enough to include all areas of learning in preparing future citizens. The Board of Education must act as a leading body for the educational community in articulating the voices of school officials, teachers and parents. There are far too many so-called educational experts who felt they know all the solutions.

Janis Akuna

Age: 58

Job: Financial adviser

Past: Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund; Lanakila Rehab Center; YWCA of Oahu

What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?

I have had a successful career in business, and I believe I can add a new perspective to the Board of Education. One of my core beliefs is that education is the foundation for success. As a business person, I believe having an educated work force gives Hawaii a competitive advantage, especially in a tight economy. I’m firmly committed to giving our children the best possible public education we can.

Do you support or oppose closing or consolidating schools with low enrollment? Explain.

Whether or not a school should be closed depends on several factors, including actual classroom size, the availability of qualified staff and adequate facilities, the distance and time needed to get to a larger school and parent/community involvement. Each school situation should be judged independently.

Should existing Department of Education funds be used to pay for drug testing of teachers?

The bigger question here is should there be mandatory drug testing. This is a legal question and probably involves constitutional rights. Where there is a suspicion or probable cause, then yes, a drug test is warranted, especially if there is concern for children safety, but I do not believe random drug tests are warranted among the larger teacher population when grounds for suspicion are absent. As a public service, either the administration or legislature should appropriate the funds for testing, not the Department of Education.

Do you support or oppose the creation of a statewide preschool system? Explain

I do support a statewide preschool system as I believe early education is critical to future educational endeavors and general abilities.

What can be done to ensure that every Hawaii classroom has a highly qualified teacher?

Similar to hiring any qualified employee with specific skills, a competitive setting is needed. Improving the classroom environment, having a competitive pay scale, engaging our universities and colleges and getting community and parent support are several supportive actions.

What is the biggest challenge facing public schools, and what would you do about it?

  There are numerous challenges facing our public schools, including accountability, teacher shortages, classroom sizes, funding, facilities maintenance and public involvement. Mitigating these issues is the responsibility of our leaders. Many Board of Education members have been there up to 20 years, and I believe it is time to bring a new perspective to the board.

Garrett Toguchi

Age: 47

Job: USIS, associate investigator

Past: Government, business, civic/community volunteer

What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?

Elected in 1996, 2002 and 2004, chaired the Special Programs Committee and supported improvements in Special Education, the Gifted and Talented Program, Hawaiian Studies, and the Hawaiian Language Immersion Program. Chaired the BOE Budget and Fiscal Accountability Committee and authored two major new policies: 1) mandating all DOE programs to be fully evaluated every five years for effectiveness and fiscal soundness, and 2) requiring the DOE to provide public presentations on department spending and to solicit public input for future budgeting. Other experience: former executive director of large nonprofit; researcher to a lieutenant governor; chief of staff in the state Senate.

Do you support or oppose closing or consolidating schools with low enrollment? Explain.

Each case has to be dealt with individually. Different communities have different needs which small schools may be better suited to support. School consolidation and closings will have little financial impact unless there are numerous closings all within a small time frame. The legislature should instead allow the BOE to own all the schools and lands to be put to its highest alternative use for income generation. That would allow additional funds to support a small campus without costs to the state. This is done in mainland jurisdictions.

Should existing Department of Education funds be used to pay for drug testing of teachers?

No. I am opposed to unconstitutional drug testing and our funds should not be used to violate someone’s rights. Random drug testing of all teachers without regard to their position is unconstitutional. I am favor existing collective bargaining agreements that allow for suspicion based drug testing. And, in favor of designating certain positions, such as those that have a direct impact on the safety of young children, for random testing.

Do you support or oppose the creation of a statewide preschool system? Explain

What can be done to ensure that every Hawaii classroom has a highly qualified teacher?

The DOE has taken steps to continuously review, monitor and provide avenues for teachers to gain highly qualified status. For those who are not HQ they work on developing individualized plans to meet the HQ requirements. For example, by passing the Praxis test. The DOE offers incentives such as reimbursing the cost of the Praxis for those who pass and gain HQ status. The DOE also focuses recruiting teachers that already meet HQ status. Lastly, the DOE recently purchased a data system that monitors the HQ status of all teachers on a monthly basis.

What is the biggest challenge facing public schools, and what would you do about it?

  Ineffective or incorrect implementation of the Weighted Student Formula can severely hamper the funding provided to schools. The BOE has had its challenges in determining how this formula should work. Two things must be done. First, a focus on identifying the true cost of an effective public education to meet academic goals to identify the fiscal needs of each student. Second, resistance to the mentality that we have to divide the pie to fund the formula. We need to advocate for funds that are genuinely needed to provide a good public education to each child.

Terrance Tom

Age: 60

Job: Attorney

Past: State representative, 1982-1998

What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?

My legal education, background and experience will enable me to analyze and understand issues, and to ensure that positions taken by the board meet constitutional and legal challenges.

As a state legislator for 16 years, I was directly involved in drafting many of Hawaii’s education laws and initiatives.

Currently, as a guardian ad litem, I advocate for children who have been harmed or abused.

Being blind from birth, I will advocate for children with “special needs” to ensure that they have sufficient resources to succeed in school.

Do you support or oppose closing or consolidating schools with low enrollment? Explain.

There is no simple answer to this complex issue. Establishing “signature” or “specialty” schools to address targeted populations of students must be encouraged at schools subjected to closure or consolidation. There are schools with small student enrollments that are successful in achieving student learning, and accessible to its surrounding community.

Should existing Department of Education funds be used to pay for drug testing of teachers?

“ABSOLUTELY NOT”
The existing Department of Education funds should be earmarked directly for our schools where learning takes place, and for its supportive services.

We need to streamline our “reasonable suspicion” drug testing procedures by swiftly removing teachers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol from our classrooms, with harsh consequences for those who refuse to BE TESTED.

“Random” drug testing will not rid our classrooms of teachers under the influence, and will send the wrong message by randomly testing the overwhelming majority of our law-abiding and qualified teachers.

Do you support or oppose the creation of a statewide preschool system? Explain

I support the creation of a statewide preschool system which will give every child from age 3 years old the opportunity to attend preschool, so that every child will possess the learning, emotional and social skills when entering kindergarten. Absent a statewide preschool system, those children unable to afford preschool tuition may be at a disadvantage, academically and socially.

What can be done to ensure that every Hawaii classroom has a highly qualified teacher?

For starters, pay our teachers more money. They certainly deserve it. We must also maintain existing health, retirement and other benefits for our teachers. Encourage low-cost and no cost professional development for our teachers. Reduce student-teacher class ratio (eighteen students to one teacher) so students can learn, and teachers can teach. Giving “lip service” that we appreciate the hard work of our teachers is not enough any more. Let’s put our “money” where our “mouth” is.

What is the biggest challenge facing public schools, and what would you do about it?

  Hawaii's public schools need and deserve more money for our children. In order to achieve “;student success,”; more money must be earmarked at the school level to address student performance; operating expenses; books, supplies and equipment; repair and maintenance of our classrooms; teachers' salaries and benefits; administrative expenses; and the list goes on and on. I will listen, study the issues, collaborate with our stakeholders, and I will not be afraid to advocate for our children.

Randall Yee

Age: 49

Job: Attorney and CPA

Past: Served on Board of Education, 2002-06

What qualifies you to be a Board of Education member?

I served on the BOE from 2002-06, including one year as chairman and one year as first vice chairman so I am already familiar with our education system and what needs to be done to improve it. In addition, I have a business and legal background with 25 years of experience which gives me a private sector perspective on the board.

Do you support or oppose closing or consolidating schools with low enrollment? Explain.

I support school closing or consolidation. However, I also believe that those facilities should remain part of the DOE and be used for charter, magnet and signature schools.

Should existing Department of Education funds be used to pay for drug testing of teachers?

Yes, if the governor is unwilling to provide the funds, I believe it is important to ensure that steps be done to protect our students from those few teachers who break the law.

Do you support or oppose the creation of a statewide preschool system? Explain

I support a state wide preschool system. Research is very clear that those students who have attended preschool have a head start over those who did not.

What can be done to ensure that every Hawaii classroom has a highly qualified teacher?

Attracting enough qualified and quality teachers will only occur if we can improve starting salaries, work conditions, benefits, mentoring and support.

What is the biggest challenge facing public schools, and what would you do about it?

  I believe the biggest challenge is redefining education in the face of today's global society. Our educational system is not preparing many of our young adults to be able to compete in the job market. If on the board, I believe the board should take the lead in establishing a community task force to begin a re-evaluation of our system.