As a school board member

I won't be involved in the day-to-day operation of the schools at the building level, but I feel the board sets the tone and the focus of the schools by staying involved in the budget and keeping the director's office accountable for the implementation of programs and maintenance of facilities. The schools are given the largest part of the county budget and they manage the largest number of employees.

Citizens are welcome to attend meetings and ask questions—but we can do better. Parents and other stakeholders shouldn’t have to comb through official minutes (posted months after meetings) to understand what’s really going on. We need clearer communication, earlier input, and better follow-through. I would like to see transcripts of all meetings, including work sessions, made available online within 24 hours following a meeting. 

Before any major overhaul of a program, we need community input in the form of open forums, focus groups, round tables…suggestions and ideas from teachers, students, parents, business owners, manufacturers...anyone who is interested in the success of our schools.  Change is slow, often slow for a reason.  No one individual can see all of the consequences of changes, but a group of varied people with varied backgrounds can pretty much identify most of them.  And just as importantly, I’ll listen and advocate if necessary.  I want to hear from all the investors in this community; I want to hear directly from parents; I want to hear from students; I want to hear from teachers, even if you can’t vote for me.