Do you support federally funded public education? Please explain why you do or why you don’t support it.

Absolutely. Federally funded, compulsory education was one of the most important reasons why many of our ancestors came to America from every corner of the world. I can't imagine America without it--and I don't want to!

In your own words can you tell us what’s wrong or right with the Eden Prairie School Board plan to “balance out crowded schools, flatten socio-economic differences, and make room for a sixth elementary school?”

The switch from K-4 to K-6 is something I wish the schools had done in time for my child to benefit from it. My child had fantastic teachers, but as an educator, I never much liked the intermediate school model. I felt it was “the middle school's-middle school.” That's too much transition at a time when kids need stability. The K-6 model provides the older kids with a chance to be school leaders, grow up a little more slowly (a good thing), and it gives the younger students role models. Siblings can remain in the same school longer, which is convenient. There are many more benefits to the K-6 model than can be mentioned here.

In 1954, Brown v. Board said that "separate (segregated) schools are not equal." Neither Brown nor the Eden Prairie equity/redistricting decisions looked to redistribute wealth, or to pull any students down. Both were designed to raise every child up by providing the best education to every student. If we can balance the enrollment while at the same time address equity issues that will benefit every child, we should do it. Eden Prairie is blazing a trail here, and with good results. We are making gains nationally that have never been seen before.

Here is a URL to an article from a January 2011 Integration Report from the National Coalition on School Diversity which shows the depth of what appears to be a national trend to turn the clock back on integration.

Do you support integration of public schools?

Absolutely. The article talks about "resegregation," which means that—given time--housing and economic realities will lead to pockets of affluence as well as low-income housing areas. It is part of the life cycle of any city. Eden Prairie Schools wants to make sure that every school and student receives the benefits of having a diverse student body. As far as the article, many of the ideas are great, except for one thing. They cost money. And we are in a period in our history where many lawmakers demonize public schools and refuse to adequately fund them. Until we start to value public schools and education again-- like our parents and our grandparents did--our public schools will disappear. And that would be an American disaster.

Do you support anti-bullying state legislation? Tell us why or why not.

Yes. With the internet, cell phones, etc. the rules of the game have changed. When I was a student--and I got picked on more than my fair share--I knew that once I was home, I was safe. It was there that my parents could remind me that I am somebody with value, somebody who is cared about and is capable of great things. Today, kids get home and there is the temptation to go online and see what people are saying about you. And that temptation is too great to ignore. We used to tell kids that got bullied, "Just ignore them." That doesn't work anymore. The internet makes the teasing and the cruelty a 24/7 menace that drives too many kids to take drastic steps. It's not "just part of growing up" anymore. Teachers, administration, the students, parents--everyone must get involved. It can be stopped, and we can create a "point of diminishing returns" where the thrill the bully gets from tormenting a child isn't worth the consequences he receives. It can be done.

Do you agree with the Hennepin County decision to take a neutral position toward GLBT students?

No. There are so many suicides by GLBT students recently that this crisis requires immediate action. This is a group of students that would benefit enormously from tougher Anti Bullying laws. Imagine if the current target for abuse was blue-eyed students, with an increase in blue-eyed student suicides because of the constant, horrible bullying. Would we want to help these blue-eyed kids, who were born that way, can’t help it, can’t change it, don’t bother or hurt anyone, and who are relentlessly pursued by bullies until they feel that suicide is a viable solution? There is only one answer to this question.

Do you support federal public funding going to religious/ private schools, i.e. voucher programs?

No. It would be against the Constitution. Plus, it would mean private schools would have to take-on the rules and burdens of public schools. They would no longer be able to turn students away (like very expensive special ed students, who deserve an education just as much as the valedictorian and the star quarterback). They would have to follow state guidelines, which they don’t want to do. That being said, private schools do receive public funds per-student for things like textbooks, school nurse, lunch programs, and more.

Would you support teaching Creationism in Eden Prairie Public Schools? Explain why or why not.

No. Because during science class, we teach science. Please tell us about your educational vision for our schools? I envision our schools being funded to realistic and adequate levels. Every school needs more teachers and more staff, especially in elementary schools where smaller class sizes are the most beneficial. Media Centers need to be beefed up. Media centers/libraries can be the most inviting, calm, helpful places in any school. We need to get to a place where in CMS, FACS, Tech, Art, Phy Ed/health are each offered for half of the year (with each student taking all four each year). But these areas are often where devastating cuts happen first. All these areas need to be supported and staffed at a realistic level. In high school, I’d like to see more varied, exciting, and different electives in English and Social Studies, at least in the Jr. and Sr. years. Teachers could create the curriculum of the electives in areas that they are greatly interested in or have expertise. These classes would be dynamic and exciting. We also need to constantly work on the bullying issue. I once wrote an article about how the 1970’s was “The Golden Age of Education” in Minnesota. In short, I’d like our schools to “get back to the 70’s” in spirit.

Do you believe 'Test and punish' is the way to educate children or evaluate schools?

No. And it never has been. Test and punish is the panacea of politicians who don’t understand education in America. Schools in prosperous areas—like Eden Prairie—will do well and thus avoid any punishment. But give that same test in a school where 90% of the kids are getting free/reduced lunch, 77% are single family homes, 10% are homeless—do you think this school will test as well as Cedar Ridge? The question is moot. Politicians supporting test and punish don’t know that you can evaluate schools by many methods. But schools, teachers, administrators are favorite targets of some politicians…easy targets. And of course, if we can start investing in schools like we mean it, you will see improvements in every school. Politicians with an agenda don’t want some schools—or even public education--to survive, and test and punish is their recipe for creating that self-fulfilling prophecy of “bad schools.”

As an Eden Prairie School Board Member would/do you support the State and Local Funding Flexibility Act (H.R. 2445).

No Response