Opinions & Accomplishments
1. I am running for re-election to continue building the pathways for success
for each child and to create a stronger more vibrant future for all St. Lucie
County residents through further collaboration and community
building efforts.
2.I am a "truly qualified" candidate as I possess the knowledge of a complex
system and deep understanding of the issues that must be addressed in
these most challenging times . Being involved with many organizations and
committees, I have the rare privilege of often being the connection from
group to another to lead towards the fulfillment of our vision of the Research
Coast which will create previously undreamed of opportunities for our students.
3.There are so many accomplishments to be pursued, but the three on the
top of my list are; continue to make certain that the policies and budget
reflect the mission and direction that are leading the district to new levels of
individual student achievement, lead the community to establish a list of
county priorities for education and quality of life issues that will be important
for a sustainable economy, help the Research Coast come to fruition at the
three research areas in St. Lucie.
4.As Constitutional Officers, all salaries are set by the state formula for which
the justification is illusive.
Like many elected officials, there is a broad scope of time and commitment to
the being held. The amount is not my focus although it does allow me the
freedom to involved in all aspects of my community.
5.There is yet to be a merit pay recommendation that is objective and able to
be replicated across the state. Seniority and effectiveness both need to be
considered . Our issue based collaborative bargaining is showing a new way
for accountability and training to achieve that effectiveness in the classroom.
6.Sunshine is healthy for the body, soul and government. Only in the strictest
of applications regarding personnel and student records should there be
information not shared openly .
7.I brought to the Board the request to determine the cost and time-line in
commencing televising all meetings and workshops. The technology
advancements and need to communicate more fully is leading to the ability to
do so by September. The goal to do so earlier had to be pushed to a later
date due to the need to upgrade the systems and do it "in house". The web is
a great access point for information as well as communication. Speakers for
civic and social groups also help share information and receive feedback.
8.Declining tax revenues and increased mandates without funding have
become the focus of all entities in the state. The core mission of the school
district is education. Education not for its sake but to prepare students for the
adult world. We have become a very efficient system and have received the
OPPAGA Seal for Best Business Practices; therefore' there is little place for any
waste. Difficult decisions regarding good programs that are worthy must give
way to essential programs that prepare students for the future of work and
citizenship. Transportation efficiency, textbook ordering, co-curricular and
extra-curricular programs will are being assessed for alignment with our goals.
Inter-government and inter-agency efficiencies are being further pursued.
9.We do not set our rate.. The Legislature dictates our millage.
10. New residential development needs to come as close as possible for
paying the cost of the impact on the community. It is essential, especially
under the new concurrency laws,that school capacity in the appropriate
locations exists or is being planned before any development can occur.
Individual houses pay impact fees. The constant monitoring of
students/household and the cost of construction are needed to make sure
that the fair share, and only the fair share, is collected.
11.I do not favor the ballot amendment. The sales tax is an unstable funding
source and leaves a $3.5 million or more gap at this time. It is a good thing
that there is some local money collected which helps the community have a
more direct stake in its schools.
12.Not all things are equal in all counties at all times. There are needs that
exist or may occur that may require more tax revenue to meet an objective.
Investment in the future of a community is needed at times that could be
more than the formula would allow. The ability of government to meet the
needs of its citizens should not be curtailed. The election process and public
input serve as safeguards to ensure the public is being served.
13.Unscheduled speakers not addressing an agenda item have 3 minutes to
speak on any topic they wish. If there is a request, a speaker may be added
to the agenda with 15 minutes or whatever time the chair feels is appropriate.
We have no limit on the number of speakers.
14.In recent years, we have used interest based collaboration in lieu of the
usual collective bargaining. The atmosphere is positive and all have the
opportunity to be the professionals they are. Training on how to facilitate and
support the process is ongoing.
15.There is a need for many intermodal pathways. Sidewalks are a
municipal/county responsibility off school property. A collaborative process is
in place to address safe passage ,and grant money is being used and sought
to fill the need.
16.Capital priorities are annually adjusted in our 5 year work plan. Safety and
health issues are a priority with the need for adequate student stations in a
growing system a major focus.. When there are adequate stations, equity of
schools is addressed.
17.The Superintendent is the only administrator who should consistently have
a multi year contract due to the complexity and nature of the position. All
administrators are hired and placed by the Supt. Multi 'year contracts for all
could not always be in the best interest of a school or the district.
18.Charter schools are held highly accountable for their certication and plans.
St. Lucie has a lab/charter opening this year in a uniqueSLC/FAU partnership.
The contracts of 2 charters have been approved but requests to delay
opening for another year have been granted. Yes, those seeking acceptable
charters are treated fairly.
19.Gifted programming is serving most qualified students well. There is some
improvement that can be made as there is in all things.
20.The high-schools are in the midst of transformation. There are more
academies and opportunities for all including students with varying learning
styles. As the new system of high schools expands to engage more students
in their learning, graduation rates will climb.
21.We are a solid B working to become an A. The B indicates the rise that has
been achieved with even higher expectations. Any letter grade does not give
the whole picture, so we are a comprehensive B with some items being A and
others C.
22.That process has been under way for 2 years. We have linked the future
workplace with our academies. Each high school has a unique set of atttractor
programs that include real world experiences and advisory boards from the
professions. Each academy is highly technical and engaging.
23.Our food service is a self-supporting enterprise that serves nourishing
meals at a very reasonable price.
24.Career and technical programs are academies that prepare our students to
either go into the workplace after graduation or seek post-secondary
educational opportunities. The old vocational has become more high-tech and
challenging.
25.St. Lucie County ranks 63 out of 67 districts in administrators/students . As
the district is very efficiently administrated, a study would not an appropriate
use of the public's money.
26.The state is not adequately funding the only paramount obligation cited in
the Florida Constitution. The local taxpayers over the last several years have
picked up a larger portion of the cost. All rates are set by the Legislature and
the Legislature must make a real commitment to find a mechanism to make
education their priority.
27.Construction costs vary with the market and cost of materials. Using value
engineering has a benefit in being able to adjust priorities on the job as cost
shift. Reusing a design, using several qualified companies, employing local
sub-contractors, and purchasing for multiple projects all can be of use in
controlling costs. Using a longer-term view can cost more initially, but the
efficiency of the design may be cost saving over a few years.
28.For most students, inclusion works well for all in the classroom; however,
each case is different, and the least restrictive environment may not be in an
inclusionary setting. The needs of all the children must be taken into account
. Each child, whether disabled or not, must be given the education needed to
help her/him succeed. The No Child Left Behind is a very flawed document,
but each child needs to be able to reach as high as possible.
29.With the use of Positive Behavior Support, the number and seriousness of
referrals has decreased significantly. We have alternative placement,
community-based programs, and early interventions to reach students before
they are in serious trouble. Our actual expulsion rate is almost zero for
school-based problems.
1. I am running for re-election to continue building the pathways for success
for each child and to create a stronger more vibrant future for all St. Lucie
County residents through further collaboration and community
building efforts.
2.I am a "truly qualified" candidate as I possess the knowledge of a complex
system and deep understanding of the issues that must be addressed in
these most challenging times . Being involved with many organizations and
committees, I have the rare privilege of often being the connection from
group to another to lead towards the fulfillment of our vision of the Research
Coast which will create previously undreamed of opportunities for our students.
3.There are so many accomplishments to be pursued, but the three on the
top of my list are; continue to make certain that the policies and budget
reflect the mission and direction that are leading the district to new levels of
individual student achievement, lead the community to establish a list of
county priorities for education and quality of life issues that will be important
for a sustainable economy, help the Research Coast come to fruition at the
three research areas in St. Lucie.
4.As Constitutional Officers, all salaries are set by the state formula for which
the justification is illusive.
Like many elected officials, there is a broad scope of time and commitment to
the being held. The amount is not my focus although it does allow me the
freedom to involved in all aspects of my community.
5.There is yet to be a merit pay recommendation that is objective and able to
be replicated across the state. Seniority and effectiveness both need to be
considered . Our issue based collaborative bargaining is showing a new way
for accountability and training to achieve that effectiveness in the classroom.
6.Sunshine is healthy for the body, soul and government. Only in the strictest
of applications regarding personnel and student records should there be
information not shared openly .
7.I brought to the Board the request to determine the cost and time-line in
commencing televising all meetings and workshops. The technology
advancements and need to communicate more fully is leading to the ability to
do so by September. The goal to do so earlier had to be pushed to a later
date due to the need to upgrade the systems and do it "in house". The web is
a great access point for information as well as communication. Speakers for
civic and social groups also help share information and receive feedback.
8.Declining tax revenues and increased mandates without funding have
become the focus of all entities in the state. The core mission of the school
district is education. Education not for its sake but to prepare students for the
adult world. We have become a very efficient system and have received the
OPPAGA Seal for Best Business Practices; therefore' there is little place for any
waste. Difficult decisions regarding good programs that are worthy must give
way to essential programs that prepare students for the future of work and
citizenship. Transportation efficiency, textbook ordering, co-curricular and
extra-curricular programs will are being assessed for alignment with our goals.
Inter-government and inter-agency efficiencies are being further pursued.
9.We do not set our rate.. The Legislature dictates our millage.
10. New residential development needs to come as close as possible for
paying the cost of the impact on the community. It is essential, especially
under the new concurrency laws,that school capacity in the appropriate
locations exists or is being planned before any development can occur.
Individual houses pay impact fees. The constant monitoring of
students/household and the cost of construction are needed to make sure
that the fair share, and only the fair share, is collected.
11.I do not favor the ballot amendment. The sales tax is an unstable funding
source and leaves a $3.5 million or more gap at this time. It is a good thing
that there is some local money collected which helps the community have a
more direct stake in its schools.
12.Not all things are equal in all counties at all times. There are needs that
exist or may occur that may require more tax revenue to meet an objective.
Investment in the future of a community is needed at times that could be
more than the formula would allow. The ability of government to meet the
needs of its citizens should not be curtailed. The election process and public
input serve as safeguards to ensure the public is being served.
13.Unscheduled speakers not addressing an agenda item have 3 minutes to
speak on any topic they wish. If there is a request, a speaker may be added
to the agenda with 15 minutes or whatever time the chair feels is appropriate.
We have no limit on the number of speakers.
14.In recent years, we have used interest based collaboration in lieu of the
usual collective bargaining. The atmosphere is positive and all have the
opportunity to be the professionals they are. Training on how to facilitate and
support the process is ongoing.
15.There is a need for many intermodal pathways. Sidewalks are a
municipal/county responsibility off school property. A collaborative process is
in place to address safe passage ,and grant money is being used and sought
to fill the need.
16.Capital priorities are annually adjusted in our 5 year work plan. Safety and
health issues are a priority with the need for adequate student stations in a
growing system a major focus.. When there are adequate stations, equity of
schools is addressed.
17.The Superintendent is the only administrator who should consistently have
a multi year contract due to the complexity and nature of the position. All
administrators are hired and placed by the Supt. Multi 'year contracts for all
could not always be in the best interest of a school or the district.
18.Charter schools are held highly accountable for their certication and plans.
St. Lucie has a lab/charter opening this year in a uniqueSLC/FAU partnership.
The contracts of 2 charters have been approved but requests to delay
opening for another year have been granted. Yes, those seeking acceptable
charters are treated fairly.
19.Gifted programming is serving most qualified students well. There is some
improvement that can be made as there is in all things.
20.The high-schools are in the midst of transformation. There are more
academies and opportunities for all including students with varying learning
styles. As the new system of high schools expands to engage more students
in their learning, graduation rates will climb.
21.We are a solid B working to become an A. The B indicates the rise that has
been achieved with even higher expectations. Any letter grade does not give
the whole picture, so we are a comprehensive B with some items being A and
others C.
22.That process has been under way for 2 years. We have linked the future
workplace with our academies. Each high school has a unique set of atttractor
programs that include real world experiences and advisory boards from the
professions. Each academy is highly technical and engaging.
23.Our food service is a self-supporting enterprise that serves nourishing
meals at a very reasonable price.
24.Career and technical programs are academies that prepare our students to
either go into the workplace after graduation or seek post-secondary
educational opportunities. The old vocational has become more high-tech and
challenging.
25.St. Lucie County ranks 63 out of 67 districts in administrators/students . As
the district is very efficiently administrated, a study would not an appropriate
use of the public's money.
26.The state is not adequately funding the only paramount obligation cited in
the Florida Constitution. The local taxpayers over the last several years have
picked up a larger portion of the cost. All rates are set by the Legislature and
the Legislature must make a real commitment to find a mechanism to make
education their priority.
27.Construction costs vary with the market and cost of materials. Using value
engineering has a benefit in being able to adjust priorities on the job as cost
shift. Reusing a design, using several qualified companies, employing local
sub-contractors, and purchasing for multiple projects all can be of use in
controlling costs. Using a longer-term view can cost more initially, but the
efficiency of the design may be cost saving over a few years.
28.For most students, inclusion works well for all in the classroom; however,
each case is different, and the least restrictive environment may not be in an
inclusionary setting. The needs of all the children must be taken into account
. Each child, whether disabled or not, must be given the education needed to
help her/him succeed. The No Child Left Behind is a very flawed document,
but each child needs to be able to reach as high as possible.
29.With the use of Positive Behavior Support, the number and seriousness of
referrals has decreased significantly. We have alternative placement,
community-based programs, and early interventions to reach students before
they are in serious trouble. Our actual expulsion rate is almost zero for
school-based problems.
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