These questionnaires were submitted to the School Board Candidates by The Lee’s Summit Coalition for Excellence in Education. Special thanks to Chris Storms, Leah Foster and the school board candidates for getting copies of this information to us to share with you.

How long have you been an R-7 resident?

A total of 15 years. 1992-2005 and 2007-Present. Lived in Indianapolis, IN from 2005-2007.

What is your history of involvement in service to the community?

• Member, Lee’s Summit 360 strategic planning group
• President, Citizens for Excellence in Lee’s Summit City Government – 2007-2009
• Board member, Lee’s Summit Educational Foundation – 2008 – Present
• Board member, R-7 School district – 2002-2005
• Treasurer, Lee’s Summit Old Homes Group – 2000-01
• Member, lee’s Summit Old Homes Group – 1992-2005
• Chairman, Lee’s Summit Historic Preservation Commission – 1997-2003
• Lee’s Summit elementary School PTA -1992-2002

Describe briefly your education background and professional experience.

I have a BS degree in Hospital Administration from Southern Illinois University. I have worked in the Occupational Safety and Health professional for 25 years. I worked, as a civilian, for the Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, and the Marine Corps for 15 years in safety and environmental management and industrial hygiene. Had a safety and occupational health consulting firm for eight years, and presently work for the Metropolitan Community College as the Director of the OSHA Training Institute Education Center.

If elected what would be your areas of priority?

• Maintaining education excellence by continuing to ensure the hiring and retention of qualified teachers and administrators.
• Ensuring a positive learning environment in each school by maintaining small classroom sizes, individual student attention, and reviewing curriculums to meet the ever changing societal advancements such as in the area of technology.
• Ensure fiscal responsibility to the community.
• Educating the community on issues affecting the district and the effect on each student’s education.

How do you view the role of TEAM Lee’s Summit?

I see TEAM Lee’s Summit as an advisory body to the Superintendent and the School Board. I believe that TEAM Lee’s Summit provides an avenue for teachers and district staff to have a say in the workings of the district and that this forum allows for open discussion and mutual respect.

How do you view the role of the CAC?

I see CAC as being an advisory body to the School Board that is made up of citizens who are concerned about the educational opportunities for all students in the district. The CAC assists with providing information to the board on the best way to meet the needs of the district, while listening to the concerns of the community.

What is the role of a school board member? Of the board?

A board member is one part of the team. The team includes the entire school board, district superintendent, administration, and all district staff.

The Board of Education has the responsibility for setting policy in the district. The board sets the “tone” for how the district will function, what programs administration will focus their efforts on, and the fiduciary responsibility to the tax payers in this community.

The LS R-7 School district is a Professional Learning Community. What is the key focus of this philosophical approach to education, and how can the Board of Education ensure success in its’ implementation?

The key focus is the emphasis on how children learn, as opposed to the old method of what teachers teach. The role of the board is to look at student achievement data, end of course exam, graduation and drop-out rates, and review curriculum to ensure that our students are learning what they need to succeed. Also to recognize that tests are only one measure of a student’s success. This also allows board members to visit the classroom and see how professional learning communities impact student learning.

What are the key issues facing R-7?

I believe the most important issue facing the R-7 school district is the shrinking budget due to decreases in State funding and County tax assessments. With the present economic challenges our country and this community are facing, it would not be expected that the funding issues will improve. If anything, they will get worse.

This district is known for educational excellence, but if the district is not careful with how it manages its’ funding, the potential exists that our students and staff will suffer. Having been involved with cost containment initiatives in this district in the past, I have seen first-hand how diligently the district works to ensure the needs of our students are always met and I would work to see that precedent continue.

How do we maintain the excellent education that our community expects and found ways to reduce our budget?

With the wide diversity within the district, how would you represent all students; interests as a school board member?

I believe that all students have the ability to be successful and as a board member, it is my responsibility to ensure that each and every student has learning opportunities that will ensure their success. The R-7 school district has a very diverse population, not just in culture, but also socio-economic status, previous educational experience, and special needs. Believing in professional learning communities, I have to empower staff through policies and procedures to meet the needs of all students.

What should districts be doing to help students prepare for their futures? How do you feel about LS R-7’s approach to this?

In order to prepare students for their future, the district should provide educational opportunities, along with career experiences that will enhance what they are learning in the classroom related to various careers. Students must be given information and opportunities that will help them find “their place” in the world. This not only includes preparing students for four year colleges, but also community colleges and technical schools. All too often, we have assumed that the only way to a successful career was through a four year college degree, but is that what’s always best for the student?

The district has worked to prepare students for what they will do after school, not just after high school, but after college, by providing career tracts, weekly classroom career exploration at the high school level, and required parental or guardian attendance at the annual course registration sessions. The course catalog for the high school level has expanded significantly by providing career tracts so that students and parents can see what courses would be the best option for which career.

When I was previously on the School Board, I was a member of the Connecting All Students To Their Future committee, which was a committee made up of educators, parents, and community businesses. This mix of members allowed for great discussion on what we teach and what the businesses need. The needs didn’t always match with what we were teaching. The information attained from this group is why the district now has a registration process that includes parents and guardians, and career exploration opportunities.

What do you anticipate the time commitment for board service to be?

It certainly is more than one meeting a month! Having previously served on the board, I realize that a serious time commitment is involved. Along with attending monthly board meetings, preparing for those meetings, there are also various committees and teams that individual members are a part of, plus the various activities within the schools and the community to attend. I regularly made visits to each and every school in the district, just to see what the students were accomplishing and to speak with the staff. I also attended monthly Chamber of Commerce luncheons to give me the opportunity to meet with the business community to know how they felt about issues facing the district.

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