The Morgan Hill Times gave each school board candidate a slate
of eight questions. Here are the answers from Shelle Thomas. Also,
view a video of Thomas at http://blip.tv/file/4178046.
The Morgan Hill Times gave each school board candidate a slate of eight questions. Here are the answers from Shelle Thomas. Also, view a video of Thomas at http://blip.tv/file/4178046.
- What prompted you to run?
I believe in public education. It is the number one priority for our community and for our kids. I have lived, worked and volunteered in our community for over 30 years. Spending time in and outside the classroom, in a variety of leadership roles, has given me insight and first hand knowledge into public opinion and the working of our district. I have seen first hand the excellent opportunities that our schools can provide. From my positions working at school sites, as a trustee, to VP and President of the Board, I believe I have gained the expertise and experience necessary to move our district, to move our students forward, in a positive quality manner. As a trustee, I remain deeply committed and accountable to the community, to the success of our district, and most importantly to the success of all our students. As a trustee, my role is to improve the way our district educates our youth. I bring continuity, balance to the board, listen, and ask hard questions. I believe in high levels of student achievement across a comprehensive array of programs, team building collaboration, placing value on bringing people together, transparency in decision making, communication and accountability with staff, parents and our community to build educational excellence for all our students. With our new Superintendent I want to be a part of working together to allow students to reach their fullest potential.
- The 2012 school year is forecasted to be the worst in terms of the size of the budget deficit, which is projected at 12 million. Do you have any ideas on how the school district can save money?
The board has cut over 10M in the past 3 years, with a projected deficit of 2.5M in 2011-2012. Increase expectations with reduced funding, unfunded mandates; to meet challenges in the worst economic climate since the great depression is the challenge we are meeting successfully. 60% of 1,000 districts in the state are in negative or qualified status, state or county take over and loss of local control. Our district’s prudent fiscal planning, good stewardship, fairness, and hard choices has keep MHUSD off this list and solvent. But not without loss, a well-rounded education is essential and what every child deserves. Areas to reduce deficit, to be discussed and considered by the leadership, bargaining units, budget committee and the board include, no increase in salaries or benefits, additional class size increase k-3, if not funded by state, furlough days. Resources have to be tied to clear measureable goals, data and analysis or reallocated.
- What 3 priorities would you like to accomplish while on the board?
Focus on students: student achievement in a fair and equitable system. Working together to allow students to achieve their fullest potential in a safe and supportive environment with up to date curriculum, technology and adequate facilities and committing to recruit and retain highly qualified employees, with training, professional development and an effective evaluation system. Quality instruction is key to student success and excellence
Fiscal responsibility and sustainability. Keep our district under local control.
Culture of collaboration and accountability, develop short term and long term
Goals with clear criteria for determining effective achievement and evaluating outcomes. Restore trust and respect in our community. s a trustee my work is to continue to improve our district by promoting a culture of trust and respect in our schools, a critical role in building and maintaining support for public education and engaging the community in support of schools.
- How will you pay for any programs or services you want to retain or add?
As a district we have to look at creative solutions and innovative ideas, such as the district’s current solar project at both high schools, to reduce energy consumption and save on energy bills. New partnership development with Silicon Valley Leadership Group, continued partnership with Teacher Aid Coalition, Live Oak Foundation, and Home and School clubs and Booster organizations. And outreach to the City (Morgan Hill and San Jose) and community, discussions on what can generate revenue for the district. Prioritization and assessment of current programs and services for reallocation of our limited resources should also be considered.
- What are your ideas to close the achievement gap?
We have a moral imperative to close the achievement gap, disparity amount special education students, English learners, and social economic levels. Our district leadership is proactive in having discussions amount interest groups; providing bilingual support. Purchasing supplemental services and materials, providing professional development, building collaboration. Education services recently established an English language acquisition program and an ELD task force. Establishing clear measureable goals, data and analysis, and a system of intervention is paramount to student success. We need to continue to build a close, viable and supportive connection with home and school. Parents play a vital and valuable role in education, in their child’s education.
- Explain your understanding of the school board’s role?
The primary responsibility of the board is to set a direction for the district, to provide a philosophy, clear vision, and goals to provide a structure for establishing policies, to oversee the district budget, and collective bargaining. A board member, and the board as a whole, is accountable to the community we serve, and provide community leadership on behalf of the district and public education. To listen to our community, to communicate needs, to act as a change agent, when necessary, and to provide a framework of the highest possible student learning and achievement in a safe and supportive environment. Board decisions are based on the best interest of all students.
- What are the top challenges facing the district?
The top challenges to the district include leading the district in the most challenging times in the history of California. Increase and sustain improvement as school resources dwindle. Fiscal accountability, increased expectations with reduced funding, unfunded mandates and no consistent income stream. Maintaining fiscal integrity and keeping cuts as far away from the classroom as possible. Student achievement, educating our youth is our number on priority. Quality instruction remains key to student success. The single most important factor (in additional to family) to student success is a well-trained and supported teacher. Build, create and implement programs to ensure all our students move forward to be academically and well-rounded individual prepared for the 21 century.
- In light of Cinco de Mayo, what steps would you take, if any, to improve race relations?
What policy revisions should be made? No policy revisions. The wearing of the flag is not banned in MHUSD. MHUSD has no policy that bands the wearing of the flag.
In light of Cinco de Mayo “lessons learned.” Develop respectful and purposeful conversations about our perspectives, backgrounds and values. Begin “courageous conversations” about race, tolerance, barriers that inhibit working together within our schools and in within our City and community. Reintroduce Project Cornerstone, asset development for students at all schools and in the community.
