PONTIAC SCHOOL DISTRICT
Transcription
PONTIAC SCHOOL DISTRICT
VOTER GUIDE – NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION PONTIAC SCHOOL DISTRICT Tuesday, November 4, 2014 POLLS ARE OPEN 7:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M. LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OAKLAND AREA Website: www.lwvoa.org E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 248-594-6602 7 Candidates for School District Board Member for FOUR 4-year terms CANDIDATES for SCHOOL BOARD FOUR 4-year terms Vote for no more than FOUR TORRE J. BROWN 1604 Prairie Drive Pontiac, MI 48340 Question 1 (150 Words or less): Please provide biographical information and explain why you are running for School Board and relevant qualities and skills you would bring to the position that you are running for. Question 2 (150 Words or less): What are the top three (3) Priority Issues facing your school district and what actions would you take to address them if elected to the school board? Hi, my name is Torre Brown. I was raised in the city of Pontiac. I graduated from Pontiac Central. I am married with two young daughters. I have worked within the Pontiac Schools as an independently contracted clinical psychologist. I currently work with juvenile delinquents in the Oakland County court system. My desire to run for the Pontiac School Board comes from my frustration with the deterioration of quality education and lack of support that children of Pontiac have experienced over the past several decades. My first priority is to balance the budget which first starts with meeting the consent agreement. Having such a deficit looming, inhibits the motivation and success of our teachers, staff and students. To do this, we must use all available resources and have the resolve to make the appropriate cuts in specific areas when necessary. My second priority is to improve the quality of education of our school district. I will promote and help establish benchmarks that our teachers and students must meet on a quarterly, semi-annually and annual basis. Additionally I will help enhance the wraparound support services for the students that are failing due to cognitive, emotional or familial deficits. My third priority is to reestablish a good relationship with parents and district employees. I believe that “it takes a village” and it’s time we look at these relationships and the impact they have on our students. Copyright League of Women Voters Oakland Area 2014 Page 1 of 7 Published by the League of Women Voters Education Fund PONTIAC SCHOOL DISTRICT (Continued) CANDIDATES for SCHOOL BOARD FOUR 4-year terms Vote for no more than FOUR WILLIAM A. CARRINGTON 185 Carr Street Pontiac, MI 48342 Question 1 (150 Words or less): Please provide biographical information and explain why you are running for School Board and relevant qualities and skills you would bring to the position that you are running for. Question 2 (150 Words or less): What are the top three (3) Priority Issues facing your school district and what actions would you take to address them if elected to the school board? My educational journey: Candidate, Ph.D. in Sociology-Wayne State University, Master of Arts in Sociology, Master of Public Administration and Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration. I currently work for Wayne State University’s-School of Medicine as Data and Quality Manager in the Infectious Disease Clinics as well as an Adjunct Professor in Sociology for Oakland Community College-Auburn Hills campus. Our school district is facing a number of challenges, but reducing the Pontiac school district deficit 1.5 million dollars during the next three years is a priority. I will work with the current administration and School Board to look at ways to reduce expenditures, and increase school revenues. I am running because I care about our children, and their parents; I care about educators in my district and I care about the future of the Pontiac School District to attract and retain the best and the brightest students. Throughout my professional career and volunteer efforts, I have worked alongside others to create positive change for Eastern Michigan. My work includes working with diverse populations, working to bring our diverse communities together, managing annual operating and capital budgets, fundraising, setting and evaluating performance objectives and building effective public/private partnerships. Copyright League of Women Voters Oakland Area 2014 Page 2 of 7 Second, a priority is to ensure that all students have access to a quality education that prepares them to become productive citizens. I will accomplish this by looking for innovative ways to reduce the teacherstudent ratio, search for resources from federal, state, and community partners to assist the school district in continuing their technological upgrades, seek more parent participation in the learning process, and work with local community colleges to foster a college bound program. Third, a priority is to support and retain our best school principals and teachers. We must invest in the professional development of our teachers and principals. Published by the League of Women Voters Education Fund PONTIAC SCHOOL DISTRICT (Continued) CANDIDATES for SCHOOL BOARD FOUR 4-year terms Vote for no more than FOUR BRENDA CARTER 86 W. Yale Avenue Pontiac, MI 48340 Question 1 (150 Words or less): Please provide biographical information and explain why you are running for School Board and relevant qualities and skills you would bring to the position that you are running for. Question 2 (150 Words or less): What are the top three (3) Priority Issues facing your school district and what actions would you take to address them if elected to the school board? Pontiac School District (PSD) is under a consent agreement, yet we are turning things around! I currently serve as Vice President for our Board of Education, Region 8 Representative for Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) and Vice President of MASB. I am Master Diamond Certified through MASB and have extensive knowledge of educational policies and laws. PSD’s greatest success stories were downsizing our classes to 30 pupils, and returning arts and sports to our curriculum while adhering to a painstaking budget. I serve Pontiac residents on the state and national level, yet my greatest pleasure comes from working in the community as one of its residents. Our community is rallying to offer opportunities to and for our children, and I plan to continue working with our Superintendent, staff and Board to stay on target with our deficit elimination plan while returning needed programs to our district. PSD main priorities are adhering to our deficit elimination plan, increasing student achievement and increasing student count. I know community support is critical to the success of PSD. With the help of our community partners, I am working on these top three priorities: Copyright League of Women Voters Oakland Area 2014 Page 3 of 7 1. Bringing vocational/apprenticeship programs back to our middle and high schools. 2. Offering internship programs in both civics and business. 3. Creating an etiquette program for our high school students. When Pontiac’s economy recovers, the schools will recover. Until then, we must work collaboratively to bridge the gap. In order to achieve these objectives, these additional educational opportunities should be provided for our students. I am currently working with building and construction trades, educators in business, elected officials and our local churches. Implementing these programs into our curriculum will offer initiatives for students which will create additional opportunities for jobs while interning in school and after graduation. Published by the League of Women Voters Education Fund PONTIAC SCHOOL DISTRICT (Continued) CANDIDATES for SCHOOL BOARD FOUR 4-year terms Vote for no more than FOUR PRINCE RAVANNA EL 235 S. Sanford Street Pontiac, MI 48342 Question 1 (150 Words or less): Please provide biographical information and explain why you are running for School Board and relevant qualities and skills you would bring to the position that you are running for. Question 2 (150 Words or less): What are the top three (3) Priority Issues facing your school district and what actions would you take to address them if elected to the school board? I am Prince Ravanna Miles El, an American National and candidate for the Pontiac School District. I am a proud husband and father of two sons, both currently earning an education at the Pontiac School District. Also, I am a proud son of Eirther Seay Bey, who previously served for 11 years on the Pontiac School Board. I am a proud product of the Pontiac School System, graduating from Pontiac Central in 2003. I have education in the science of civics, economics, education, sociology, business administration, attending the religious schools of the M.S.T. of A., and Oakland Community College. My mission is to ensure that the Pontiac School District produce industrious citizens to stimulate our National economic growth which will decrease crime, poverty, homelessness, and unemployment. With my experience and expertise, I am going to ensure student achievement and that our school district meets the annual yearly progress (AYP). The Pontiac School District is facing serious issues including but not limited to the District deficit, decreased student enrollment, and the lack of student achievement. In conjunction, with the consent agreement, I will produce a Strategic Educational & Economic Plan (SEEP) to increase student enrollment, student achievement, and eliminate the District deficit. The implementation of (SEEP) would be cost efficiency to the District. However, it will require full compliance and participation from the board, state & federal government, community, public and private organization. I am serious about student achievement and reviving our district. As a District, we must have something to offer to our students, communities, potential customers and businesses. With the (SEEP) in conjunction with the consent agreement and compliance of all necessary partners the District will have revenue building opportunities, because the District will increase student enrollment from producing results that foster student achievement. Copyright League of Women Voters Oakland Area 2014 Page 4 of 7 Published by the League of Women Voters Education Fund PONTIAC SCHOOL DISTRICT (Continued) CANDIDATES for SCHOOL BOARD FOUR 4-year terms Vote for no more than FOUR JAMES ENDRES 1855 Stratford Street Sylvan Lake, MI 48320 Question 1 (150 Words or less): Please provide biographical information and explain why you are running for School Board and relevant qualities and skills you would bring to the position that you are running for. Question 2 (150 Words or less): What are the top three (3) Priority Issues facing your school district and what actions would you take to address them if elected to the school board? Born in Belding, MI, 1944. Moved to Waterford, 1977. Live in Sylvan Lake with wife Karen since 1999. SCHOOL DISTRICT PROPERTY “Kingdom building” is partly responsible for where we’re at today. Sell every building and property NOW. In the High School, make a place to honor Central, Northern and Pontiac High School’s histories. 1961-1965, U.S. Navy. 1966 Greenville, MI Police Department. 1967-1977 at maximum Prison in Ionia, MI. 1977-1997 Parole Officer at a Halfway house in Pontiac, MI. 1997 to 2013 owner of home remodeling business. Degrees in Correctional Science and Criminal Justice from Montcalm College and the University of Detroit. Chairman of Sylvan Lake Planning Commission. Chairman of Sylvan Lake Board of Review (Taxes) and a Commissioner on the W. Bloomfield Cable Comm. I want to serve because of the teachers in my life that made the above possible. Also: 7 children, 11 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Note: I haven’t missed a single vote since 1965 and I will be at every meeting. Copyright League of Women Voters Oakland Area 2014 Page 5 of 7 BIDS AND CONTRACTS I will NEVER vote to approve any bid or contract without knowing who is involved. The days of someone’s relative or friend getting a bid or a contract are over. MEETINGS Strict adherence to The Open Meetings Act. Agenda’s must be more detailed. No more electronic attendance, look me in the eye. Citizens should be allowed to speak on all motions. Minutes for the past year must be published on the web site and kept current. No more closed/behind the door meetings and deals. This is an outrage. If a member can’t be at EVERY meeting, then try something else, LEAD, FOLLOW OR GET OUT OF THE WAY. Published by the League of Women Voters Education Fund PONTIAC SCHOOL DISTRICT (Continued) CANDIDATES for SCHOOL BOARD FOUR 4-year terms Vote for no more than FOUR APRIL HERNANDEZ 2305 Allerton Road Auburn Hills, MI 48326 Question 1 (150 Words or less): Please provide biographical information and explain why you are running for School Board and relevant qualities and skills you would bring to the position that you are running for. Question 2 (150 Words or less): What are the top three (3) Priority Issues facing your school district and what actions would you take to address them if elected to the school board? Hi my name is April Hernandez age 42. I was born and raised in Pontiac and then Pontiac Twp (which is now Auburn Hills). I have two sons one that is still in school. I worked in the hospitality field for eight years in management position. I was a previous board member who completed classes with MASB. ( Full understanding of openings meeting act and Roberts Rule Of Order) I want to implement partnerships with the community/parents/children/ business owners/outer communities that have a stake within the district to focus on improvement of education for all levels of students and catching the at risk students early in the year to implement a plan of action to assist them in getting the education to excel and compete past high school. Student Enrollment continues to decrease: Make attendance a priority with accuracy Catch at risk students early on to bring all parties to the table to implement a action plan with checks and balances to the board Raise the bar for education and standards for our children Copyright League of Women Voters Oakland Area 2014 Page 6 of 7 Financial Deficit: Sell off no longer needed properties and vacant land. Monitor all contracted companies and employees to ensure we get the service that is required. Education: Partnerships for tutoring one on one for students who are in need of the extra time In house suspension to eliminate children not reporting to school to get their education Offering of after school programs for students. Field trips to educate all ethnic groups More activities with the students showing respect for their communities and the people within. Published by the League of Women Voters Education Fund PONTIAC SCHOOL DISTRICT (Continued) CANDIDATES for SCHOOL BOARD FOUR 4-year terms Vote for no more than FOUR CAROLL Y. TURPIN 44 Vinewood Court Pontiac, MI 48341 Question 1 (150 Words or less): Please provide biographical information and explain why you are running for School Board and relevant qualities and skills you would bring to the position that you are running for. Question 2 (150 Words or less): What are the top three (3) Priority Issues facing your school district and what actions would you take to address them if elected to the school board? I am running for re-election because of my commitment to our students, their families and the community. I am an advocate for Public Education. Professional Development has been rigorous and deliberate: MASB Master Platinum award, Advocacy Skills Specialty and Data Specialty awards, Oakland County School Board of Directors committee member, and member of the Council of Urban Boards of Education (CUBE) Steering Committee under the National School Boards Assoc. (NSBA).The classes, conferences and workshops increased my knowledge of Best Practices, Effective School Board Governance, issues on the local, county, state and national level, and strategies to secure resources for our students and staff. I have initiated several programs with Board support: A .S.A.P! (Adopt a School Program), GEMMS Board Fundraiser and the Community Advisory Committee. A proud sponsor of the "Wings of Fire", Robotics team, Art Clubs at ITA and PHS. Priority Issues facing our district are (1) Reducing our financial deficit by continuing our commitment to the Consent Agreement, Stabilizing our enrollment by maintaining smaller class sizes, retaining and supporting Highly Qualified and Effective teachers and working with our Partners to support opportunities for our students and staff. We need to continue to make Consistent and Signficant Academic Gains Each Year in Every building. (2). Increasing Parental Involvement: A Key to Student Achievement. Objectives: (2) increasing participation of parents in regular two-way and meaningful communication involving student academic learning (b) invest in parent-leadership training and develop joint parent-teacher training in cultural competence (c) Develop an evaluation measure to determine the impact of the Professional Development on the levels of Parent Involvement. (3) We need to sell our closed buildings. We are actively seeking buyers for these buildings. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan national organization whose purpose is to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. The League never supports or opposes any candidate or political party. Candidate responses are included as submitted and have not been edited except in cases where the replies have exceeded the stated word limitations. Spelling and Grammar were not corrected. The inclusion of candidates’ statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and in no way is to be construed as an endorsement by the League of Women Voters which takes no responsibility for any views or facts stated by the candidates. Copyright League of Women Voters Oakland Area 2014 Page 7 of 7 Published by the League of Women Voters Education Fund