Voter Guide: Harper Woods School Board

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The contest included in this Voter Guide is for Board of Education positions. There are four candidates for two open seats. The four candidates for the two open seats are: Kimberly Arrington, Margaret Hunt Wagner, Ventrice L. Weems. and Joseph Zichi.

CANDIDATES FOR BOARD OF EDUCATION (4 year term, vote for no more than 2)

Harper Woods Board of Education questions posed were:
1. In your opinion, what issues will be most important to the Harper Woods school system over the next four years?
The current board of education has adopted Board goals for 2008. The following questions refer to those goals:
2. What are two ways the Board can strengthen the school district's relationships with students, parents and the community?
3. What way can the Board optimize opportunities to improve student learning at all levels to prepare students to compete in a global community.
4. How can the Board strengthen the fiscal position by maximizing the revenue and judiciously using all district resources, including fund equity.

KIMBERLY ARRINGTON

Education: Doctor of Education, Walden University - Present
Masters in the Art of Teaching, Marygrove College - 2003
Bachelor of Science, Eastern Michigan University -1999
Work Experience: Currently I am an assistant principal. I have experience working in education for the past 10 years. I have lived in Harper Woods for 6 years.
1. With so much focus on high stakes testing, as educators we are failing to properly prepare our students for high school and beyond. In Michigan, drop- out rates are on the rise and high schools are also experiencing low test scores. More focus needs to be on preparing students for the transition into high school and on creating programs that prepare our students to compete in the current job market.
2. Programming: Schools need to develop programs that encourage parent involvement. Programming such as Parent University, Parent Centers, home visitor programs, and action research are just a few ways that welcome parents to become part of the educational environment. Inclusion: Parent should also be involved in the decision making processes for the schools. Parents should be asked to sit on school improvement committees and curriculum review teams.
3. In order for students to compete globally they need to think globally. Students need to be exposed to opportunities that help open up the world around them. This can be done with distance learning, computer aided instruction, foreign language programs for non -traditional languages. Schools need to develop partnerships with local business and corporations to provide opportunities for students to visit, intern, and exchange dialogue about current economic issues.
4. As a district you want to utilize your revenue by spending your dollars primarily on instructional programs i.e., classroom instruction, support material, curriculum items, and special programming. You can minimize your expenditures in the areas of building restoration, operations and transportation. You can utilize your fund equity if needed, however, you want to stay within the state guidelines of 7- 10 %.

MARGARET HUNT WAGNER (Incumbent)

Bio: I have lived in Harper Woods for 16 years. I have been in the banking business for several years and currently work for First State Bank in a Supervisory position. I sit on the Harper Woods School Board as an appointed Trustee. I am involved in community programs: Planning Commission, Band Boosters, Athletic Programs, and former member of Board of Canvassers.
1. Over the next several years all public schools will be faced with the challenge of providing quality education with very limited funding from the State and Federal Governments. It is my goal to ensure that we use every resource available to meet the priority of education without having to eliminate important programs such as music, art, athletics and most importantly academic programs.
2. It is extremely important for parents to be involved in their children's education. On the Superintendent's Advisory Committee we work to get the community as well as parents involved in the decision making process for some of our programs. We have designed a Secondary School that allows for all community members to participate in activities from Parks and Recreation to Educational Courses.
3. While we currently have an excellent educational environment, there is always room for growth. Providing a Trimester will allow students who excel to advance, while also giving students who struggle the opportunity to have extra instruction. All day Kindergarten also give extra instruction and teaching Technology at all levels is high priority. Implementing a Secondary Language program at the Elementary level will also improve preparation for competition at a Global pace.
4. We must use Our Fund Equity wisely, seeking alternatives to its use. The District can rent its facilities; conserve energy costs and other daily operating costs, and only use Fund Equity when all other efforts are exhausted. I would not want this District to be like many others, having nothing in Fund Equity especially when the State of Michigan will not give an indication that they can support our Schools.

VENTRICE L. WEEMS

Bio: I have worked for AT&T as a Telecommunications Specialist for 10 years. Our team works with outside technicians on the turnup of new equipment in the Midwest Region. I have been a resident of Harper Woods for the past 6 years. I do not have any special qualifications-I just want the best education programs for our children.
1. The issue that will be most important will be insuring that all Harper Woods students meet the requirements needed for successful completion of the next higher grade, and ultimately, graduation.
2. By keeping the communication constant, and being visible at Community functions and School Sports Events.
3. Staying abreast of the latest subjects the State of Michigan has to offer for our students, such as online college prep courses.
4. The Board can maximize revenue at the Local level: Market Day Sales and School Fundraisers are excellent revenue-builders.

JOSEPH ZICHI

Bio: I have lived in Harper Woods for 25 years. My oldest son graduated in 2003, my youngest, currently attends 9th grade. I attended Wayne State University, student teaching at Northern H.S., and became Assistant Football Coach, Finney H.S. I have been involved with Harper Woods Little League since 1990, as a team manager. I work for Fairway Packing as sales manager.
1. We must continue to improve the quality of education provided to our children. In doing so we must assess whether or not our current methods of teaching are working, if our policies and environment are conducive to learning, and hiring/maintaining qualified teachers and administrators. Our curriculum should be centered around college preparation and provide resources and opportunities so that our graduates feel that a four year college/university is possible.
2. Learning and development occurs 50% of the time in school. The rest of student and character development takes place at home. We must rely on parents to educate their student as much as they rely on the Board. The Board should reach out to the cities the district represents and appoint one member to attend city council meetings in an effort to create a more united community.
3. We must move beyond teaching our kids how to do well on standardized tests, such as the MEAP and focus more on the overall learning of the student. In addition to academics we need to spend time on character education and the importance of community service/civic engagement, in order to empower students to take ownership of their school and community now, and seek to get involved in their future communities.
4. We must prioritize areas of spending in relation to Board goals from one academic year to the next. Tough choices will have to be made but it is crucial that all of our students, regardless of grade, be given proportional opportunities and resources.

Publication of these statements and opinions of candidates are solely in the interest of public service and in no way to be construed as an endorsement by the League of Women Voters. The League takes no responsibility for any of the views or facts stated by the candidates. Candidate responses are listed in the order they appear on the ballot. There is a 70 word limit for each question.
All candidates were posed with the same four questions applicable to their contest. All candidate responses are published as submitted without editing. If the response exceeds the word limit, it ends with an ellipsis (...).

Comments, suggestions, questions? Contact our webmaster. Last revised: April 27, 2008 11:07 PDT.