Election '09: Meet your District One School Board candidates

Marcia Stromgren

First, can you please tell us about your educational background, work experience and any other experience relevant to serving on the Duluth School Board?

Denfeld graduate and business school, continuing education student. Various job opportunities before becoming a Domestic Engineer and Mother. Business partner in John's construction and storage Businesses-Office Manager and customer relations: combined 15 years experience as a Normanna Towanship Board Clerk and Supervisor, Soil and Water Supervisor for St Louis County- Various committees including Education Committee and Attendee School Board Meetings 1 1/2 years.

What are your intentions regarding the school district’s long range facilities plan?

Plan B offers more for less-keeping neighborhood schools vital to students, teachers, and the community alike. Joe Nathan-Smaller Safer Schools. Overcrowding at East and Woodland are having an effect on education quality meanwhile, Dixon, six board members and Johnson Controls blindly push forward. Put a moratorium on the accelerated pace and make some changes.

Some have said that good educational practices — not new or like-new buildings — create good students. What would you change about the way students are educated in Duluth?

Partnering with parents, teachers and staff to create the best learning environment , reviewing curiculum and the buildings adequacy for improvements.

Why should someone vote for you?

I will use the knowledge gained in my varied roles to provide leadership and work to restore trust and confidence to the Duluth School Board. Citizens deserve servants who will listen and students deserve the best education we can offer.

Ann Wasson

First, can you please tell us about your educational background, work experience and any other experience relevant to serving on the Duluth School Board?

School Board member two terms, School Board Chair; Education Committee Chair; Quality Steering Committee; Head Start; Greg Irons Scholarship; Goldfine Star Teacher Award Committee; Transportation Committee, Board member Duluth Citywide PTSA, PTA member 16 years, founding member Congdon Park School Foundation, Vestry Board member St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Junior League of Duluth member/ board member.

What are your intentions regarding the school district’s long range facilities plan? (To elaborate: Do you support the district’s ongoing plan, a different one, or something in between? What do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?)

I support the LRFP. It was community driven; it addresses excess space and building inefficiencies and is a fiscally responsible plan. It also modernizes buildings and provides updated learning environments for children and teachers. My priority is to see that it is fully implemented.

Some have said that good educational practices — not new or like-new buildings — create good students. What would you change about the way students are educated in Duluth?

Good educational practices and good teachers create well rounded students. However, safe and healthy buildings with updated classrooms and technology provide enhanced learning environments.

Why should someone vote for you?

I have five years of experience helping to balance district budgets and making critical budgetary decisions. I have experience with how our district and board functions, how curriculums are developed and implemented and the complexities of district/union relationships. Finally, I know how to and am willing to make tough decisions.

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