I am very interested and involved in early childhood education and family issues. I am a former member and officer of the ECFE Parent Advisory Council. I currently serve on the Winona Early Childhood Initiative Leadership Team. The Winona Early Childhood Initiative is supported by a grant from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation. I support expansion of early childhood programs (like Maxwell at Madison Preschool and Childcare) because of the demonstrated benefits these programs bring to children and families. Recent studies show that for every $1 spent on early learning and care programs there is a $17 public return on investment. For more information, please see the following sites: http://woodrow.mpls.frb.fed.us/research/studies/earlychild/abc-part2.pdf
http://www.highscope.org/NewsandInformation/PressReleases/PerryP-Age40.htm
Thanks to a hard working referendum committee, school board, administrative team and this community, Winona passed an operating levy that puts the schools on solid footing. This year, I have had the great pleasure of voting to restore all day, every day kindergarten; restore high school athletics and activities and expand them to include the 7th and 8th grades; hire new teachers and reduce class sizes; add reading specialists and expand the gifted and talented program.
Using capital dollars, the Board approved construction of a new library/media center, student store, counseling center and administrative offices at the high school while improving indoor air quality, security and safety. The district has moved ahead with partnerships that have improved athletic fields at the Middle School, added a preschool to Madison, placed HVED programs at Jefferson, expanded mentoring for teachers and expanded student teaching opportunities.
I support neighborhood schools because strong neighborhood schools are signs of strong communities, and strong communities are necessary for strong public schools. Neighborhood schools tend to be smaller and have smaller class sizes that lead to effective learning. Not only does it make educational sense to support neighborhood schools, it makes economic sense too. Schools sustain the economic vitality of our residential neighborhoods and families are increasingly looking for safe, attractive, and easily accessible schools. Since the school district must compete for area students, we have a great opportunity to meet that demand and to do very well by the students and their families.
If elected, my priorities over the next four years include curriculum improvement, staff development, building improvements and continued financial stability.
- Curriculum: We need to make a commitment to prepare a curriculum that is appropriate for our current and future students -- and one that capitalizes on the expertise of our teachers, our higher ed. institutions, and all of our community partners. I will continue to support positive initiatives like the curriculum audit that is currently underway.
- Staff Development: We all know that no matter how good the curriculum is, it takes teachers to make it happen. It's time we return to using staff development dollars for improving teaching.
- Building Improvements: We have completed in-depth facility studies of all district buildings and made upgrades in portions of all buildings. I will work to prioritize needs and address them creatively and in a financially sustainable manner.
- Finances: Statutory operating debt is not a solution. Citizens have given us the financial means to improve the district and we should use these funds wisely.
