District No. 3: School board candidates explain where they stand

Deb Anderson

Why are you running for a spot on the school board?

I'm running because I would like to see the board improve communication across the district and create genuinely nurturing school climates. I dislike bullying at all levels, and I believe I can demonstrate a more proactive, welcoming and inclusive style of leadership.

How would you grade the current board? What do you think they've done well and what would you have done differently?

I would give the current board about a "C." I don't believe they practiced due diligence in monitoring the process of how we arrived at the Red Plan, and I think they've made many mistakes in policies over the past two decades. I would not, for example, have been so quick to sell off the district's hard assets -- land, specifically. These properties are a community asset and, to raise a million or so for a short-term gain within an annual budget of $110 million or so, is short-sighted and robs future generations of their options and assets.

If you are elected, will you support the actions taken by the

current board concerning the district's long-range facilities plan? Why or why not?

I will not. I believe the community has been led down a dangerous path that will cause long-term harm. In reviewing the proposal as sent to the state, I am appalled at the crass manipulation of data. If this plan is adopted, programs and children will lose.

Much ado has been made of whether or not the long-range facilities plan that was adopted by the current school board should go to referendum, but that is only one issue. Please tell us what else you are going to focus on if you are elected.

I'd like to focus on school climate issues and make sure that each child and family genuinely has an opportunity to connect with their school and school personnel in meaningful ways. I want parents to feel welcome to be involved through middle and high school years and not just in elementary. I am concerned about the availability of special education services. I have long thought there are too many holes in the continuum of special-education services. I'd like to see service learning opportunities expanded for all ages of students and service credit available in secondary schools.

Where do you think the district needs to go in terms of curriculum and programming?

There are many best practice strategies and techniques being implemented daily in classrooms in Duluth, but there is room for improvement, too. There is no consistency of opportunities for staff to plan and collaborate. We have had a long period of inadequate funding for staff development. If we are seriously dedicated to student growth, we have to support our staff in getting skills upgraded to handle increasingly complex educational issues whether that is in technology, or cutting-edge information that is field specific, or classroom management. We start and stop too many programs without looking at long-term impacts.

How do you stand out from your opponent? Why should our readers vote for you?

I bring the analysis and perspective of someone who has worked in the system as elementary, middle and high school teacher/counselor. My opponent has been part of the board that has brought us to the divided, conflicted place we are now. I'll bring a proactive approach representing the third district.

Tim Grover

Why are you seeking re-election?

There are a number of issues which I have been involved in and would like to continue working on. These include fixing the long-range facilities plan and enriching our curricular and co-curricular offerings.

How would you grade the current board? What do you think they've done well, and is there anything you would have done differently?

Current board members have generally engaged in civil discussions while dealing with complex and sometimes contentious issues. Policy disagreements have generally been discussed without rancor and resolved by voting.

One of the most notable positives has been the improvement in labor-management relations in the district. Contract negotiations have become more cooperative and less confrontational, and this is a change supported by board members, including me.

I believe the Board must adopt a less-costly facilities plan. We need to keep three high schools -- which works well for Duluth -- and we need to hold a referendum on the plan.

If you are re-elected, will you support the actions taken by the current board concerning the district's long-range facilities plan? Why or why not?

I voted "no" on the Red Plan because it is too costly and is detrimental to the center of the city. I do support substantial facilities investments, possibly including some new construction. However, the Red Plan needs revising and downsizing and needs to be voted on in a referendum.

Much ado has been made of whether or not the long-range facilities plan that was adopted by the current school board should go to referendum, but that is only one issue. Please tell us what else you are going to focus on if you are re-elected.

A particular interest of mine is curricular and co-curricular enrichment for pre-K through grade 12. I am active on the district-wide music committee, which has been working to provide music opportunities, particularly at the middle school level, which are at least equal to those of surrounding school districts. I will support the following, included in the renewed operating levy, which will be on the ballot in 2008: music, the arts, additional enrichment activities such as sports in the middle schools and reinstatement of the seven-period day in the high schools.

Where do you think the district needs to go in terms of curriculum and programming?

It is essential that the planning and selection of curriculum have extensive involvement from those who will be expected to implement it: the teachers. We need to provide sites with the flexibility to select specialized programs and curriculum they desire and to encourage and support creativity and initiative.

A robust curriculum also focuses on the basics of reading, literature, math, science, social studies, physical education and music, art, drama and other enrichment activities at all levels. We need to continue to strive to close the achievement gap. I also support strong vocational/technical programming.

How do you stand out from your opponent? Why should our readers vote for you?

I'd like our children to have improved, accessible, high-quality schools, while providing them a world-class education in a financially healthy school system. This will benefit all of us, today and in the future. Duluth has excellent schools; my goal is to make us the best in the state.