Question: What advice would you give to new board members?
Learn board responsibilities. Ask questions.
Question: Should board members be paid? Why or why not?
No. A token salary will not help attract board members. A more generous salary would take funds from our underpaid teachers.
Question: Should property taxes be increased to better fund public education? Why or why not?
We need an increase in funding to properly prepare our children to meet the challenges of the 21st Century and to thrive in an increasingly competitive global economy. Schools in Colorado at all levels are significantly underfunded. Thus we need to have additional State support and an increase in property taxes.
Question: What should the district do with the former Montezuma-Cortez High School building?
The board is currently studying this issue and has several options under consideration that will allow us to effectively use this facility.
Question: In your opinion, why are district schools struggling academically, and what should be done to ensure all students succeed?
First, our district is making progress on many fronts over the past few years but we are not where we need to be. Unfortunately many of our children begin kindergarten or first grade with little, if any, preparation. Some have never seen a book or been read to. Conversely, children who come to school having attended a quality preschool do well in school. Many who have not had this opportunity struggle. In addition, poor teacher pay causes us to lose quality teachers. Still, we have quality, dedicated teachers but we need additional resources. Over 70 percent of our children receive free and reduced fee lunch. Many caring parents of these children cannot afford to provide their children with even the basic supplies – pencils and notebooks. Studies of successful turn-around schools have acquired and effectively used additional resources including additional teacher training, two teachers or a teacher and a teacher aide in every classroom, laptops and/or iPads for each child, and funds to provide for out-of-class experiences for the children. We are faced with challenges that need to be addressed now, and they will require additional financial resources to provide the quality education that prepares kids to be self-sufficient adults.
Question: What is the district’s most important future area of concern, and what should be done to solve that issue?
Our most important concern is to have every child in our school be at least at grade level and be prepared to attend college, a quality occupational program or enter the work force. This will required a well prepared dedicate staff, engaged parents, an engaged supportive community and additional financial resources.
Question: When were you elected to the board, and what do you hope your legacy will be as a board member?
I was first elected to the board in 2009. I hope my legacy will be that I made a difference in improving the quality of education for all of the children in the Cortez-Montezuma school district.
