Student Forum

I want to thank Oshkosh North, Oshkosh West, and Webster Stanley Elementary Schools for hosting the third annual student forum for School Board candidates. I am very impressed with the questions the students came up with during the forum and the questions they asked afterwards.

I have to admit, the questions asked were some of the most thoughtful and challenging I have been asked to this point. Below is a list of the questions candidates were asked and a brief account of my answers with some additional comments I thought about after.

Q. What are the causes and some solutions for the population disparity in the district?
A. The disparity comes from a natural boundary, in some cases, that was never meant to account for limits to population growth. Some solutions are "inventorying" buildings for population, cost of repairs and maintenance and then going to the families with potential plans and asking for feedback.

Q. Do I support block scheduling?
A. I have seen block scheduling work. I don't think the plan before the board right now is the right one for our district. With the cost attached, it certainly is not the right one right now. The A/B schedule is confusing and adversely impacts electives and college classes students may be taking. I think the current plan needs some work and we need to gather input form students and faculty before attempting to implement anything.

Q. Opinions on No Child Left Behind.
A. I think it was a good theory, but not practical. We face the possibility of teaching the tests and not the students. It is an unfunded mandate that had little to no thought about future impact. I agree with Mrs. Weinsheim when she said we don't have much choice about the testing. However, I disagree that we should sit back and take it. We need to obey the laws, but we can let legislators know there are problems.

Q. What do the candidates think about study halls?
A. I think study halls should be available to anyone who wants to take one. Study halls accomplish three things: 1. Additional study time, 2. Additional opportunities for tutoring, 3. A chance to relax away from classes. Students planning to attend college are expected to participate in extracurriculars, community activities, and maintain high GPA's. Study halls help them keep up with their studies.

Q. West music budget is getting cut and some students will not be able to go to solo ensemble. What will board do?
A. Mr. Kavanaugh said he didn't think students will lose out. Mrs. Weinsheim stated music departments will have to get creative. I am very attached to music programs for a variety of reasons. I think the Board needs to get creative. I think we need to go to the community and ask community groups and private citizens who make donations to music related activities if they would help fund our music departments. At the very least, these are memories these kids will never forget at most these kids have real shots at music scholarships and should not be told that we can't manage our budget so they have to lose out. I do agree with Mrs. Weinsheim that fundraising should also be an option.

Q. What do I want to accomplish on the school board?
A. I want to accomplish a system of communication within the district and between the district and families and community. I would like to see the restructuring implemented in the middle schools with the future possibility of high schools later to spread out the cost. I am a bit of idealist, I would like to find some balance to the budget and start saving for the future if at all possible.

Q. What can you do as a school board to keep quality teachers?
A. I would like to pay teachers and paraprofessionals everything they are worth, but we have a limited budget. We may be able to come up with some nonmonetary compensations to show our respect of and appreciation for our teachers and paraprofessionals.

Q. How would I make an effort to find out student reactions to restructuring?
A. I already seek out student input in a variety of ways from simply asking opinions to inviting posts to my blog. I welcome further suggestions.

Q. What about the effect of restructuring on electives?
A. Core houses should not interfere with any classes. If it does, we need to look at successful examples of this type of program and pull what will work in our district to make restructuring more successful. I will be seeking further information from the current board as to elective scheduling.

Q. We have a tight budget. How will we fund Teen Parenting and VIP?
A. By phasing in restructuring, we can spread out the cost of the plan. In addition, we should wait with block scheduling until the plan can be looked into further before committing over $1 million. We can also wait with 4K until a grant can be pursued.

Q. Core teams and students with special needs.
A. My notes were too sketchy to know what the question was. We were in the lightening round by then. Can anyone remember the question?

Q. What is my plan for more face-to-face time?
A. The restructuring is supposed to help, but I will also look into adding more time back into the calendar if it is possible.

Q. Block scheduling affect on Youth Options?
A. We need to look at how flexible block scheduling is and make sure we can continue the program.

Q. Am I in favor of abstinence only education in health class?
A. I have to admit, this question was very close to home as I have two daughters going through human growth and development. I think abstinence only is not practical. Abstinence should be taught, but we have to be realistic and teach prevention and consequences, too.

I think these were all the questions during the forum. I enjoyed the conversation with students afterwards. I learned a lot last night.

Thank you all again for inviting me to participate.