Occupation: Retired from practice of Internal Medicine at the Monroe Clinic in May 2010. Since September 2010 I have been a volunteer kindergarten assistant at Northside school.
Age: 87
What qualifies you for the position: I have been interested in the schools since moving to Monroe in 1955. My five daughters all attended Monroe Schools, graduating in 1965, 1967, 1970, 1974, and 1976. I was active in visiting the schools during those years. In 2001 I decided to reconnect, but was not elected that year. In 2002 I ran again and was elected. I keep up with education literature, with a special interest in science education.
Education: BS Antioch College 1944
MD U of Colorado School of Medicine 1951
Community involvement: Mostly on the Board of Education past 9 years, but also serve on two hospital committees: Medical Ethics and Hospice. In previous years I was active in the Literacy Council, the Library Board, Planned Parenthood, and many years ago in the Girl Scouts.
Q: Why are seeking a seat on the Monroe School Board?
A: I have really enjoyed being a part of the school system here during my 9 years. I feel I can contribute by virtue of my experience on the Board, and that my years of connection at the Monroe Clinic with staff and patients has given me some knowledge of a large segment of the community. I have tremendous respect and admiration for the administrative staff and all the teachers and support staff, and I feel we have a supportive community here in Monroe that values education.
Q: Do you support the current school referendum on the April 5 ballot? Why or why not?
A: I strongly support the referendum. As a Board we realize that the economic times are difficult, but with the current much reduced funding from the State and the more restrictive revenue limits in the current State budget, our district must propose this referendum to increase our taxing authority. The effect of revenue limits and the details of the funding have been well described by Supt. Larry Brown and Financial Administrator Ron Olson, along with thorough reporting of the district's prudent use of the levy authority granted in the last non-recurring referendum 4 years ago. I think most residents believe that we need our schools to continue to improve and strengthen our programs for all young people, the gifted, the more challenged students, and the great majority in between. Folks with no children or grandchildren currently in school still have an interest in an educated public. During my 9 years I have seen many innovative programs - most have strengthened our curriculum. Our administrators are constantly assessing, especially new programs, and making any needed adjustments. Without the added funding from the referendum we could not maintain what we have, let alone add new and needed programs.
Q. The current state budget proposal is posing potential budget concerns for many local school districts. If budget cuts become necessary, are there areas within Monroe's budget that could be reduced/eliminated?
A: The District plans include some cuts even if the referendum passes, with additional lists of proposed cuts in subsequent years if we should fail in a succeeding referendum. The District has published several more detailed scenarios in the Times and at various public meetings, as well as in a District-wide mailing a few weeks ago. I don't see that any further cuts could be made without really undermining the whole educational system. Of course the Board and the administration will have to "make do" with whatever the local voters and the State government decides, and we will continue to work hard to continue to provide quality education. None of us is prepared to "give up"!
Q: Are there other pressing issues/concerns facing the Monroe School District? Do you have suggestions or ideas regarding these?
A: In the past few months we have been addressing the realization that our students as they move through high school are not keeping up the high performance of elementary grades. There are a variety of reasons floating about - the turbulence of adolescence, our hectic life-style, the distractions of technology. Our leaders have come up with a new program in the High School to focus the curriculum on the core courses taught at different levels for different abilities, with fluidity between the programs. I think this will be a worthwhile change.
Another concern I have (that would involve spending even more money!) is that our sports, music programs, dramatics, and other co-curricular activities, though an important part of a balanced education, all require fees for participation. I am afraid that many less affluent families are not even able to consider having their students involved, and thus our district is not meeting the original mandate of public education - that it should be "free". This issue is not related to the referendum, and it certainly can't be addressed with our other problems right now, but it has concerned me ever since I became involved with the Board of Education.
A: I have really enjoyed being a part of the school system here during my 9 years. I feel I can contribute by virtue of my experience on the Board, and that my years of connection at the Monroe Clinic with staff and patients has given me some knowledge of a large segment of the community. I have tremendous respect and admiration for the administrative staff and all the teachers and support staff, and I feel we have a supportive community here in Monroe that values education.
Q: Do you support the current school referendum on the April 5 ballot? Why or why not?
A: I strongly support the referendum. As a Board we realize that the economic times are difficult, but with the current much reduced funding from the State and the more restrictive revenue limits in the current State budget, our district must propose this referendum to increase our taxing authority. The effect of revenue limits and the details of the funding have been well described by Supt. Larry Brown and Financial Administrator Ron Olson, along with thorough reporting of the district's prudent use of the levy authority granted in the last non-recurring referendum 4 years ago. I think most residents believe that we need our schools to continue to improve and strengthen our programs for all young people, the gifted, the more challenged students, and the great majority in between. Folks with no children or grandchildren currently in school still have an interest in an educated public. During my 9 years I have seen many innovative programs - most have strengthened our curriculum. Our administrators are constantly assessing, especially new programs, and making any needed adjustments. Without the added funding from the referendum we could not maintain what we have, let alone add new and needed programs.
Q. The current state budget proposal is posing potential budget concerns for many local school districts. If budget cuts become necessary, are there areas within Monroe's budget that could be reduced/eliminated?
A: The District plans include some cuts even if the referendum passes, with additional lists of proposed cuts in subsequent years if we should fail in a succeeding referendum. The District has published several more detailed scenarios in the Times and at various public meetings, as well as in a District-wide mailing a few weeks ago. I don't see that any further cuts could be made without really undermining the whole educational system. Of course the Board and the administration will have to "make do" with whatever the local voters and the State government decides, and we will continue to work hard to continue to provide quality education. None of us is prepared to "give up"!
Q: Are there other pressing issues/concerns facing the Monroe School District? Do you have suggestions or ideas regarding these?
A: In the past few months we have been addressing the realization that our students as they move through high school are not keeping up the high performance of elementary grades. There are a variety of reasons floating about - the turbulence of adolescence, our hectic life-style, the distractions of technology. Our leaders have come up with a new program in the High School to focus the curriculum on the core courses taught at different levels for different abilities, with fluidity between the programs. I think this will be a worthwhile change.
Another concern I have (that would involve spending even more money!) is that our sports, music programs, dramatics, and other co-curricular activities, though an important part of a balanced education, all require fees for participation. I am afraid that many less affluent families are not even able to consider having their students involved, and thus our district is not meeting the original mandate of public education - that it should be "free". This issue is not related to the referendum, and it certainly can't be addressed with our other problems right now, but it has concerned me ever since I became involved with the Board of Education.