Occupation: Nurse Practitioner
Age: 66
What qualifies you for the position: 1) Keen interest in helping all children maximize their academic achievement. 2) Strong educational background combined with clear understanding of the demands that professional and non-professional careers will require of our children.
Education: Bachelor Business Administration, Rockhurst College, Kansas City, MO and Masters in Education Psychology, UW-M, and Masters in Nursing, Pace University, New York, NY.
Community involvement 1) Board member and Treasurer of the Green County Golden Gators and Monroe Area Swim Team for five years. 2) Worked for years to bring soccer and swimming to the high school. 3) President, Lakeside Heights Neighborhood group for almost a decade. 4) Fundraiser, Lymphoma/Leukemia Society.
A: I hope to help make the board even more productive by injecting new energy, supporting the chosen curriculum and increasing the interface of school and community.
Q: Do you support the current school referendum on the April 5 ballot? Why or why not?
A: Yes, I do. Historically the school board has been very careful with the use of referendum funds. The board will do the same with the funds that hopefully will be forthcoming from the current referendum. Given the uncertainty of state funding, our children will need us to step up.
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: Many cuts have been made and more are planned. The future is uncertain regarding funds from the state and the community. Until some clarity regarding funding evolves, the best the board can do is to continue the on-going evaluation of spending.
Q: Are there other pressing issues/concerns facing the Monroe School District? Do you have suggestions or ideas regarding these?
A: Yes, the student achievement and graduation rates are both areas of concern. I think supporting the chosen curriculum and spending our citizen's dollars on the essentials necessary to prepare our children for the economies of this decade are critical.