| 2007 District 11 Board of Education Candidate Survey Please limit answers to 50 words. Answers will not be edited and will be printed as is, up to 50 words. If the answer goes over the limit, we will cut it off after 50 words. All Candidates should have received a copy of this survey via email. If you have not received an electronic copy please email ben@citizensproject.org. Candidate Name: Robert (Bob) Null
Campaign Contact: Theresa Null
Address: 2104 Eagle View Drive
City/State/Zip: Colorado Springs, Colorado 80909
E-Mail: BobNull@D11EducationalExcellence.com
Website: http://www.D11EducationalExcellence.com
Phone: 719-473-7455
Cell Phone: 719-271-7950
Fax:: Education: MSE - Masters of Science Engineering
Many credit hours of post graduates credits and practical experience in program management, personnel management, budgeting, planning, manning, direct supervision, and ... etc.
Occupation: Active Volunteer on several District 11, El Paso County, Colorado Springs and organizational committees and boards. 1. Why are you running for school board and, if elected, what will be your priorities? I have a great interest and passion for the education of our children. I bring the respect, courtesy, dignity and ability to work as a team with other members of the School board, Superintendent, Staff, Schools' Leadership, Parents and Students.
Priorities: Quality Education for All Students
100% Graduates/0% Drop-Outs
Resources 2. How should the school district address the minority student achievement gap? D11 should use best teaching practices as proven by research and successes elsewhere. This includes using multi-cultural education methods in the classroom environment. We should hire and train staff, management and teachers to reflect all our cultures and integrate teaching practices in our classrooms. 3. How can your school district use the CSAP data to improve student achievement? CSAP testing needs a total rehab. - Process, content, preparation activities, criteria, rules and correlation to in-class grades. Also CSAP data must be analyzed thoroughly with factors such as particular school or year group, turn-over rates (teachers, Students) and other trends. Identify elements that we have control over. Work with those. 4. What type of sex education do you believe should be taught in public schools and why? Taught from a public health point of view, our community (staff, teachers and parents) needs to ensure our children, AKA future adult citizens, are educated on public health issues and the impact of such. Parents need to be able to opt out of sex education for their children. 5. Should schools be required to provide non-judgmental counseling and referrals to students on issues relating to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender sexuality? These are tough parent-child issues and any "required non-judgmental counseling" needs to have the parents involved also.
The impact of having an expert counselor on staff (funding, expertise, availability, facilities) and the privacy issues need to really be studied before acting on this one.
6. Should schools allow Gay-Straight Alliance clubs the same recognition and privileges as other clubs, including participation in school sanctioned diversity activities? Why, or why not?
Schools need to have policies and rules regarding the institution of school sanctioned clubs. I believe school clubs should be focused on academic and vocational skills training (Future Teachers, Future Farmers, and Language Clubs) rather than social or political issues clubs.
7. What are your thoughts on addressing the costs imposed on school districts, in terms of financial resources and staff time, to comply with No Child Left Behind and the CSAP testing process? Teachers need to teach the relevant knowledge curriculum, not the CSAP test. The No Child Left Behind Act needs to change its motivation from penalty-driven to reward driven. We need to "build a fire" under our legislators to put higher priorities on funding and resources.
8. What responsibilities, if any, should the school district assume for dealing with societal problems such as poverty, hunger, emotional illness and drug abuse?
School Districts have to deal with societal problems such as poverty, hunger, emotional illness and drug abuse as they affect our students (Individual and other Students)learning environment We need factual counseling and referrals to the appropriate agencies. Establish partnerships with local agencies. The District Free Lunch is a good program. 9. How much importance do you place on arts education (music, visual arts, performing arts) in the schools? I think the arts are important enough that we should explore having Magnet Schools (like an Arts Magnet school- SAIL?) . Otherwise, children should be exposed and/or given elective choices in these subjects. 10. What is your perspective on charter schools and educational voucher programs? The Courts have denied the use of vouchers. We can learn from Charter Schools since they have more leeway, for new research, techniques and subject matter in education. Charter Schools have to comply with the explicit rules, guidelines and processes for their operation and be accountable to the school district. 11. How should the school district ensure community involvement in district decision-making? All Board Meetings open to the public; rarely hold Executive Sessions; have more informal meetings/work sessions. Hold issue discussions at different schools throughout the school district; continue the emphasis on recruiting community members for the districts committees and commissions. Publicize the district webpage more. Solicit underrepresented parental groups for volunteers. |
