salt lake county local school boards

2016 Candidates’ Answers - S.L. County School Boards

League of Women Voters of Utah --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name Office Page

Mont L Millerberg Local School Board - Canyons No Response

Nancy Tingey Local School Board - Canyons No Response

Tracy Bennett Local School Board - Canyons 2

Chad Iverson Local School Board - Canyons 4

Todd E. Zenger Local School Board - Granite No Response

Connie Anderson Local School Board - Granite No Response

Sarah R. Meier Local School Board - Granite 6

Robyn Bishop Local School Board - Jordan 7

Darrell Robinson Local School Board - Jordan 9

Kayleen Whitelock Local School Board - Jordan 11

Marilyn Richards Local School Board - Jordan 13

Chip Dawson Local School Board - Jordan 15

Bryce Layne Dunford Local School Board - Jordan 17

Janice L. Voorhies Local School Board - Jordan 18

Maria "Mitzie" Huff Local School Board - Murray 19

Glo Merrill Local School Board - Murray No Response

Jaren Cooper Local School Board - Murray No Response

Tiffany Sandberg Local School Board - Salt Lake No Response

Teresa P. Organista Local School Board - Salt Lake No Response

Michael James Nemelka

Local School Board - Salt Lake 20

J. Michael Clara Local School Board - Salt Lake 21

Heather Bennett Local School Board - Salt Lake 23

Jason Stevenson Local School Board - Salt Lake 26

Ryan Pleune Local School Board - Salt Lake 28

Kristi Swett Local School Board - Salt Lake 31

League of Women Voters of Utah www.lwvutah.org of 32

http://www.lwvutah.org/



2016 Voter Guide: Salt Lake County School Boards

Candidate’s Name Tracy Bennett

School Board District Canyons School Board District 7 Candidate’s Website/Email www.facebook.com/Tracy4SchoolBoard

[email protected] Candidate’s Phone Number 801-550-7016

Why do you want to serve on the School Board and what skills and experiences would you bring to this position? As a parent I have been very involved, with school participation ranging from classroom helper to serving as chairman of School Community Councils. I thought that as my children graduated from high school that I could “graduate” as well. Thant has not been the case, I still care deeply about what is happening in our local public schools, and I want to make them great for all of our kids! As a parent I have worked on local, council, and region PTA boards, served on school and district committees, as well as the State PTA board of directors. I have been a strong voice for your children in our schools at board of education meetings and at the legislature. I am not shy in advocating for children, even when I must speak up against our own representatives. I am a consensus builder who loves to bring people together and truly find the best solution. I would be honored if you would allow me to serve you and the students of Draper as your representative on the Canyons District Board of Education, and would appreciate your vote this fall.

What are the most important elements needed for a school system to provide quality education to all children? (Address the education gap.)

Providing a quality education is much more that the lessons or the curriculum that is taught in the classroom. It is providing quality, caring teachers. It is providing programs and educational options that meet a variety of student needs. From remedial classes and interventions for at-risk student to providing advanced students the opportunity for continued learning, and everything in between. Schools in today society must meet the needs of students and their families by providing not only great educational opportunities but also provide for their social and emotional growth and well-being as well. I believe that the Canyons School District strives to meet all of these needs by setting a well defined mission statement and goals, and working to meet the goals and expectations through a variety of course offering and programs. Some the program and offering made available through the Canyons District include; Pre-school programs, all day kindergarten, dual immersion language programs in Spanish, French and Chinese, the SALTA program for advanced learners, community and adult learning classes, sports programs, music and art, STEM education, concurrent enrollment classes, college prep for a risk students, alternative high schools, a technical education center, advanced diplomas, a family resource center, etc. Education is not a one size fits all model. A quality education system, like the Canyons District, must make personalized learning for every student its priority.

Where do you stand on extending pre-k education and why? One of the mission points of the Canyons Board of Education is for every student to graduate college and career ready. This effort begins long before high school. For this reason I strongly support pre- K programs and all day kindergarten programs for at risk students. The Canyons District offers a pre-k program through an application process. For those families living within the boundaries of a title I school or children with disabilities the pre-k program is available at no cost. A new service Canyons District is offering is all day kindergarten at select elementary schools. The new program is very beneficial to students, especially at risk





students, and can improve student outcomes throughout their learning experience. This program is provided at cost for families who can afford it and by the district for families of qualifying need.

Do you support the Common Core. Why or why not? If not, what should replace it?

The Common Core State Standards are a clear set of shared goals and expectations for the knowledge and skills students need in English- language arts and mathematics at each grade level so they can be prepared to succeed in college, career, and life. They are not a curriculum or a method of teaching. Educational standards are the learning goals for what students should know and be able to do at each grade level, as determined by the Utah State Board of Education. The implementation of these new standards has been difficult. However I don’t think we should abandon the Common Core State Standards, but rather continue to make adjustments to them to better meet the needs of Utah students. It concerns me that Utah moves from one set of educational standards before we really have a chance to evaluate the learning outcomes. Links: http://csdmathematics.weebly.com/parent-resources.html http://www.corestandards.org/about-the-standards/frequently-asked-questions/

What would you do to attract, support, and retain great teachers in your district?

I love the teachers that we have in the Canyons School District. As a board member, I will seek to lend support those who teach and care for our children in the classroom every day. We must provide teacher support through continuing professional development, classroom and team preparation time, classroom supplies, and truly competitive compensation for the work they do. Having quality teachers in the classroom is the single greatest asset to any school system. As new teachers come to Canyons District, we need to ensure they receive the support they need to be successful in the classroom.






Candidate’s Name Chad Iverson

School Board District Canyons School Board District 7 Candidate’s Website/Email www.electchadiverson.org Candidate’s Phone Number 801-501-7418

Why do you want to serve on the School Board and what skills and experiences would you bring to this position? I have greatly appreciated the trust you have placed in me the last four years. It has been an honor to serve you on the Canyons District Board of Education. I would respectfully ask for your continued confidence as we continue to improve the district and the inner workings of the board. We have come a long way in four years. There is also much to be done to make Canyons the best district in the state. Education has been and will continue to be extremely important to me. My grandfather developed a nationally award winning teacher education program at Weber State University after obtaining a doctorate in Elementary Education from the University of California, Berkeley. He and my parents instilled in me a strong passion and desire for education at a young age. My wife, Sherry, and I have lived in Draper for ten years and have four young children. We are passionate about making sure our children and all of the children in Canyons School District have the best education possible. We value the community feel of Draper and Sandy even though we are in the midst of the Salt Lake Valley. My great, great grandparents (William and Jane Green, Neils and Caroline Boberg) helped to settle Draper and are buried here. I was elected to the Canyons Board of Education in November 2012 to represent District 7 in Draper. I have held various finance, product and operational roles at venture-backed start-ups such as AAPC, eXperticity, Extend Health, Ancestry.com and AutoTrader.com. I earned an MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago, and graduated summa cum laude from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. My passions include family, marathons, triathlons, skiing, start-ups and political biographies. Let’s work together to make Canyons the best it can be. I ask you to vote for Chad Iverson this fall.


This is a pivotal time for our children and their education, especially here in the Canyons School District. The competition in state and out of state for college and technical school placement as well as jobs is fierce and will continue to accelerate. The use of technology has become fundamental in our home, professional, educational and social lives. This is a new school district, that has an opportunity to affect the lives of thousands of children. We need leaders who will seek to put the lives of these children, their education and their families as the number one priority. I am in favor of providing our children with the best education possible, given funding constraints. I advocate strong feeder systems which keep children together with their neighborhoods throughout their schooling. I agree that schools should be built where the population will grow over the next 20-30 years. This especially includes Draper. My priorities are:





Placing children, their families and their education as the number 1 priority: We need to ensure that the education of our children is the number one priority. This needs to take precedence over administration buildings, pet projects, and special interests, however noble they may be. We need to provide educational learning opportunities that are flexible for the unique needs of our children. For children that are above grade, they need to be challenged. For children that are below grade, they need the support necessary to improve. We need to be more flexible with the use of technology in order to accomplish this. We need to hire and retain the best teachers and school administrators we can and listen to and learn from their ideas as they are truly on the front line with our children. Fiscal Responsibility: We need to be fiscally conservative, especially on non-essential items like district offices and district personnel. We need to use tax dollars wisely We need to advocate for appropriate allocations for K-12 funding from the state legislature Fact Based, Analytical and Transparent Decision Making We need to continue to provide transparent, fact-based, analytical accounting of major decisions. We need to continue to ensure that all members of the board are heard and that thoughtful, transparent analysis of major decisions is welcomed. We need to ensure that the board does not squelch or limit the abilities and scope of long term planning committees. We need to ensure that decisions are made by the board that take into account children from throughout the district and not make decisions based on provincial, short-term thinking.

Where do you stand on extending pre-k education and why? Depending on the situation, pre-K education can be beneficial and helpful. The parents should continue to drive this decision.


The Utah State Board of Education has chosen the Utah Core as our state standards. Local school boards have the ability to choose curriculum that support those standards. Standards are important. Some of the standards are working to improve student achievement, some less so.


We need to hire and retain the best teachers and school administrators we can and listen to and learn from their ideas as they are truly on the front line with our children. I will work to continue to improve the morale of the teachers in the CSD. Additionally, I will work to lobby the state legislature to allocate more tax dollars to K-12 education so that we can continue to attract, support and retain great teachers.






Candidate’s Name Sarah R. Meier

School Board District Granite School Board District 4 Candidate’s Website/Email Candidate’s Phone Number

Why do you want to serve on the School Board and what skills and experiences would you bring to this position? I am a strong supporter of our public school system. I believe that our public schools are the foundation for keeping our nation strong. A successful democracy requires an educated citizenry. I am a former high school educator and am currently serving on the Granite Board of Education. My 6 children have all been educated in Granite district schools. I want to continue the work that the Granite Board continues to do to increase achievement for all students and continue our outreach to our community members, whether they have children in school or not.


The best investment we can make to address the achievement gap is to have quality preschools to assure that all children are ready for kindergarten and lessens the need for special education designation. We also need to ensure that every classroom has a competent, dedicated teacher who believes all children can learn.

Where do you stand on extending pre-k education and why? I am strongly in favor as indicated by my explanation in the prior question.


I believe in Utah Core Standards that have set rigorous standards---but I also believe that these standards must be re-evaluated on a regular basis---which is already happening at the state level.


We are already doing some great things in Granite School District. We offered a $500 signing bonus for an early commitment from great student teachers and others. We also raised the pay for our first three years of teaching. We also have a program that has been operating for many years that is called "New Beginnings". It is a mentoring program for all of our new teachers. We need more funding to be able to pay "Master Teachers" who will continue to help and mentor new teachers for the first three years and beyond, if need be. We have a district team of mentors, but it would be wonderful to have designated "Masters Teachers" in every school. This would only work if we had funding to have more teachers in each school. Lowering class size would also help the stress level of our teachers so that they could differentiate their instruction for each student's needs and feel more successful. We also need to change the attitude towards the teaching profession. It is the most important profession because teachers are the ones who lay the ground work for all other professions.






Candidate’s Name Robyn Bishop

School Board District Jordan School Board District 1 Candidate’s Website/Email [email protected] www.robynbishop.org Candidate’s Phone Number 435-229-3966

Why do you want to serve on the School Board and what skills and experiences would you bring to this position? After 44 years as a educator it is time for me to pay it forward and serve my community. I am a candidate for the Jordan School Board because I want to work to ensure that every child is impacted positively every day. I spent 20 years as a classroom teacher. I taught English Language Arts, a core subject with high stakes testing, and theater & dance, performing arts courses. I have been an assistant principal in middle school and high school, and served as an elementary principal for 16 years in two different school districts. I have been a district level administrator for the past 4 years working with Dual Language Immersion, Secondary English Language Arts, and the Theater and Dance programs in the district. It is my belief that the Arts are a necessary tool for improving student achievement. With this wide range of educational experience, I believe I can be an effective and useful board member.


In order to provide a high quality education to all children, teachers should be highly qualified. Teachers need opportunities for professional development and compensation for time spent in training. Teachers need adequate teaching materials as well as adequate student supplies. School districts need to provide lower teacher/pupil ratios as well as adequate and efficient housing for students. The causes of the achievement gap are complex and it is nearly impossible to determine all the causes. However, teachers are working with students who live in poverty and lower socioeconomic status that can lead to a reduction in access for those students. Poor nutrition and healthcare, lack of family support, limited or no English language understanding, and family instability negatively impact many students. All these factors contribute to the achievement gap and are out of the control of the teacher. All of the above inequities must be addressed by the State Legislature and school districts before all students will receive a quality education.

Where do you stand on extending pre-k education and why? Educational research shows that children who participate in pre-K programs benefit greatly. As an elementary principal I saw students from preschool programs enter Kindergarten with a good concept of print, phonemic awareness, and number sense. If all students came into Kindergarten from pre-K programs, teachers could change their curriculum and teaching practices and build on what children learned in preschool. Sadly, Kindergarten teachers currently must focus on catching up children who did not have the opportunity to attend preschool. It is obvious to me that low-income students demonstrate the most benefit from preschool, although all children make progress from pre-K programs. It is vital for our legislature to find more funding for pre-K programs for disadvantaged children. Only then will we see the achievement gap begin to close!


I believe it is most important for proponents and opponents of the Common Core to get past the controversy





and find some common ground. We cannot have a proper education system without a standard of what should be taught and some way to measure whether schools and districts are teaching it. The framework of the Core is stable and is a rigorous set of standards. The science and math Cores have been rewritten to meet Utah’s needs as the Utah Core Standards. Teachers, administrators and parents created them. Public forums were held and on-line surveys available for parent response. There was a pedagogy change so that the teaching is student driven rather than teacher driven. Language Arts Benchmarks can also be modified to meet Utah’s needs. We need to move past the controversy and move forward for the benefit of Utah kids.


Teacher recruitment, retention, and salary are the most critical issues facing all Utah school districts. In order to attract teachers, they must be offered a living wage. Provisional and career educators need a raise in salary to retain them in the profession. Signing bonuses for positions difficult to fill (special education, math, science, dual immersion) must take place. Other states are competing for Utah's teachers. Buildings that are overcrowded or falling apart will not attract highly qualified teachers. Supporting teachers is a most important role of any school district. This means providing professional development where the teacher receives compensation for time spent in training. It means strong teacher mentors and coaches, with time allotted for master teachers to observe provisional teachers as well as new teachers observing master teachers. Endorsement classes in math, reading, ESL, gifted, math, science, etc. should be offered at no cost to the teacher. Consulting educators and constant support should be provided for struggling teachers. Teachers should be continually recognized for their commitment, innovation, and excellence. Everything mentioned above is how teacher retention will occur!






Candidate’s Name Darrell Robinson

School Board District Jordan School Board District 1 Candidate’s Website/Email Darrell-Robinson.com Candidate’s Phone Number 801-699-8017

Why do you want to serve on the School Board and what skills and experiences would you bring to this position? My website answers these questions and many more. I invite you to explore Darrell-Robinson.com. I am a very involved parent who currently has children in our schools. I am the PTA President Elect and Chairman of the School Community Council at Herriman High School. I was instrumental in bringing the lacrosse program to Herriman Utah where I was the first head coach of the women's lacrosse program. I have 30 years of teaching in business and Private Education. I have a masters and nearly completed PhD in Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences. My expertise is creating 21st century schools. Professionally, I developed an online Blended Learning Seminary program for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am currently working on an online institute program. More on this issue can be found at http://www.darrell-robinson.com/why-i-am-running-1/


19th Century Schools, the ones we all went through, pushed students through as if we are in a factory. We moved on in our classes based on the year being over rather than knowledge of the material. Education is changing in the 21st Century. With technology, we can personalized education for each child. Parents have the right and responsibility to choose the education their child needs. School Choice is a critical element in addressing the education gap. Charter School, homeschooling and private schools can be good options for student achievement. This is especially true when the child's needs is not addressed in our public schools. Our traditional public schools need to do a better job at meeting the needs of individual children. We can do this by creating innovative schools that have options. This can help reduce the gaps in education. http://www.darrell-robinson.com/college-ready-or-life-ready/ http://www.darrell-robinson.com/school-choice/

Where do you stand on extending pre-k education and why? Extending pre-K is one of the many choices a parent should be able to make. I do not think all children need this choice and many do not want it. We should however offer some programs, especially in high risk areas. I love how we offer a pre-school option in our high schools. This is the best and cheapest way to extend pre-k education. High School students teaching the pre-K schools for school credit is an good option.


I support Jordan Core. I am for local control. I am against federal and even state mandates. I believe the state and federal education systems should support local schools not mandate us. i am for standards and assessments, but they should be developed locally. We can take the current standards, get all interested parties together and discuss what cores should be taught in our schools.





http://www.darrell-robinson.com/common-core/


Every one thinks throwing more money at the problem will solve this. While this will help, the truth is we are not spending the money we are given usefully. There are many solutions I have given on my website that addresses teacher pay, benefits and getting more teachers. This includes, paying teachers and administrators the same wage. Some administrators make more than 3 times the pay of our teachers. This will retain great teachers in the classroom. Letting dual insured families opt out of the insurance package. This saves money for the district and increases salaries for teachers. Develop a high school student teaching program that will inspire students to become teachers. This will also help us with teachers who feel there is too much to do and not enough time to get it done. Other ideas can be found at: http://www.darrell-robinson.com/teacher-shortage/ http://www.darrell-robinson.com/helping-teachers-with-benefits/






Candidate’s Name Kayleen Whitelock

School Board District Jordan School Board District 4 Candidate’s Website/Email kayleenwhitelock.com/[email protected]

m Candidate’s Phone Number 801-280-2367

Why do you want to serve on the School Board and what skills and experiences would you bring to this position? I am running to continue the work I started over 3 years ago when I was first elected. I originally ran because I wanted a change that would be positive for students and teachers. Our teachers went 3 years without a pay increase. Since I have been an the board and had the opportunity to weigh in teachers have recieved bonuses and pay increases. Teachers that are happy with their job are more effective, and the most important thing in the classroom is a high quality teacher. Since I joined the board we've created committees to help the work. The finance committee looked closer at our budget and we are currently building 2 elementary schools with our existing funds. Our facilities committee which I chair has decreased building costs by 17%. Our legislative committee which I serve on has formed relationships with legislators to work together on what is best for education. I have management experience as well as being a paraeducator for Jordan District. My degree is in nursing, all of these experiences give me a unique skill set. I also have volunteered in the schools for the last 25 years in my children's classrooms and P.T.A..


The most important thing we can do is ensure every child has a high quality teacher who understand how to use data to improve and target instruction. The other important quality is for the teacher to have is a caring attitude and know that every child can learn at high levels. In order for children to learn they must have basic needs met and feel that they can learn. Some children come to school and need a little extra to get them ready to learn, so the school may need to supply some basic needs to help with economic gaps. Schools in low socioeconomic areas must also work with parents to help them understand the importance of them being a partner in their child's education. These parents may need to be given skills to help their children. When everyone knows the child can learn at high levels and it is the expectation the child performs at a higher level. Children in lower economic areas also need to be given more opportunities for high quality field trips to help even the learning field.

Where do you stand on extending pre-k education and why? I know that pre-k learning is critical to success in the K-12 system. For some children this can best be accomplished in their home, for others it would be best accomplished in a high quality preschool. Research has shown that pre-k that is of high quality can prevent children from ending up in special education/resource classes. Investing early in school success is a savings for tax payers.


Utah has had common standards for all schools in our state for decades and I support this strongly. I am not opposed with aligning our standards to other states which creates a scenario where we can then purchase text books that better align to the Utah core and are a better value. We also have a fairly mobile





society and having similar standards between states will only help children. The most important thing for me is that the standards be of very high quality stadards and move our students to high levels learning. I also feel strongly that parents and community members should have a voice in what the standard will be. I support the State Board reviewing the state standards on a regular basis to ensure they remain the highest standard for the time period.


Part of the equation is pay more, the other part is respect the profession. The pay and respect need to be top down, hence working closely with the state legislators to give them accurate data when they are considering new bills is vital to the change I feel is needed. Helping the law makers that control the purse strings understand that what they say effects learning in the classroom. Also getting accurate data to legislators so they can see why investing in the K-12 system is worth investing in. In addition helping them to see that local Boards want to work with them for the best out come for students. I also am working with my fellow Board members and our teachers to explore the teacher pay system and see if there is a better way to pay teachers that will allow excellent teachers to continue to teach and still be compensated at a higher level. I try and express appreciation and listen to teachers when ever I can. Getting input from those in the classroom makes for better decisions.






Candidate’s Name Marilyn Richards

School Board District Jordan School Board District 4 Candidate’s Website/Email [email protected] and

www.Richards4Jordan.com Candidate’s Phone Number 801-557-1549

Why do you want to serve on the School Board and what skills and experiences would you bring to this position? I want to serve on the School Board because I know I can make a difference. I am a retired educator with over 40 years of experience from classroom teacher to administrator to coach to district director. I understand the issues facing public education. I am adamant about attracting and retaining quality teachers to guide and teach our children...for they are the future! Children should be our priority! During my years in education, I have developed strong team building and problem solving skills. I believe in timely decision making and placing strong emphasis on building trust and mutual respect through listening and developing effective lines of communications and consensus building. I have spent my professional career dedicated to public education and am fully committed to using my experience to advocate for the success of our students. I am: experienced, invested, and dedicated!


There are many factors that can positively impact the quality education of our children. In my opinion, the most important element needed for a school system to provide quality education is quality, well-trained teachers who are eager and motivated to teach our children. We must work to attract and retain quality teachers by providing the tools and resources needed, providing professional development opportunities, and negotiating an effective compensation package. Best teachers--best results. The teaching profession needs to be given the respect it deserves. The education gap needs to be narrowed. This can be accomplished by increasing the pre-k education program and other programs that focus on students who are less advantaged, emphasizing and sticking to the Core Curriculum standards, providing a wide variety of programs to meet the needs of all students, lowering the teacher/pupil ratio in all classrooms, and providing a safe, secure, and positive learning environment.

Where do you stand on extending pre-k education and why? I am in favor of extending pre-k education. Extensive research has been done that shows a great benefit to students who enter kindergarten with beginning level skills already in place. Extending pre-k education would help to begin the process of narrowing the education gap. Kindergarten teachers would be able to begin teaching all students at more advanced skill levels and build on what has already been learned rather than having to review and play catch up. Those students who had a quality pre-k education are bored and students without that training are at a huge disadvantage. I think the playing field should be leveled by increasing the pre-k program. I love the quote, "Pre-k is a gift that keeps on giving". I wholeheartedly believe this to be true!


I support the Common Core because it is the framework designed to ensure that students are prepared for





their future. The common core gets all stakeholders on the same page and allows teachers to align their curriculum to the core standards. It gives direction, focus, and quality to the learning process and experience. All parties and stakeholders were involved in the development of the common core. It is stable and very rigorous. It is student driven and teaches students to think. I support the common core because it creates active learners with an emphasis on understanding and using the skills learned. It is imperative that we get past all of the controversy and begin the work to make it what it is...a Common Core!


First and foremost, the salary and benefit schedule must be reworked to provide incentive for quality teachers to join the ranks and remain as career educators. The salary and benefit package must be competitive and must compensate teachers for their work. I would strive to raise the base pay level to attract beginning teachers and adjust the schedule to address years of service and additional training and education. Second, teachers deserve respect! This can be accomplished by providing the tools, resources, and additional training needed to do their job. Third, teacher/student ratios must be decreased to allow teaching to take place. We can no longer have overcrowded classrooms and then expect teachers to magically teach all of them. Fourth, I would provide opportunities for teachers to advance and progress and be compensated for extra assignments. And last, I would work to somehow change the perception of the teaching profession. The old saying that "those who can...do, those who can't...teach" has to be changed. I believe this will begin to change when quality teachers stay in the classroom and are compensated and respected for the work they do and the changes they make in the lives of our children.






Candidate’s Name Chip Dawson

School Board District Jordan School Board District 5 Candidate’s Website/Email www.chipdawson.com / [email protected] Candidate’s Phone Number 801-254-4223

Why do you want to serve on the School Board and what skills and experiences would you bring to this position? The student growth coming to the State of Utah and the Jordan School District will require good public management, creativity, better intergovernmental relations, and of course, outstanding educators. I would like to serve because I believe my decade in local government in intergovernmental relations, coupled with my education and experiences working in public education as a para-educator make me uniquely qualified to help the district manage its growth. I have seen some innovative steps undertaken by our current Jordan Board leadership with regards to school construction and boundary alignment and wish to contribute to that. Having three, and eventually four, students in the Jordan District and serving on the Daybreak Elementary School Community Council for four years has made me keenly aware of the challenges our District and our educators face. My life has been greatly enhanced because of a great teachers and the education I received, and I hope to be able to give back and provide that for future students.


Simply put, education runs on funding.This is an important issue, as Utah's Constitution calls for an equal education to be offered to all students. I don't believe I have educated myself enough on this issue yet to be forward my own ideas as to how to address the education gap that exists, but will be looking for input from our experienced educators and professionals for ways in which we can overcome this challenge.

Where do you stand on extending pre-k education and why? I have seen the positive impact that pre-K education can have on the education and lives of children through the experiences of my own children. My children have benefited from online pre-K programs, but I realize that those programs may not be the best for each family. While no educator or educational programs can replace the impact that a parent or guardian can have in their children’s education, there is empirical data which demonstrates the efficacy of pre-K education especially in low-income areas and in areas where English is not the primary language spoken. I was in favor of proposals from former State Senator Aaron Osmond to bring expanded pre-K programs to Utah.


This is a question I get a lot. I know that many are concerned about Common Core, and there has been a good amount of misinformation about what it is. I feel Common Core can offer some benefits. I believe we need to listen to educators and as a school board do what we can to support them, as many teachers like the resources that are available with the Common Core. Many who oppose it are unaware it has been a huge benefit to military families that move frequently and sometimes come from foreign duty assignments. Military children are no longer losing ground in their education each time they must move. It also benefits others who have a need to relocate during their child’s education. I speak to teachers and they seem to be doing well in implementing it. If we were to replace it, what would take the place? I am not aware of a





comprehensive national proposal that would take its place offering more benefits. Many are concerned about the need for local control, and while that sounds like a achievable objective, few have been able to demonstrate what that means in this paradigm. For years, the United States has been comparing itself to foreign countries with higher education scores. Many of these nations have a national core education standard. I don’t see specific harm in trying to implement ideas that have demonstrated potential in other places.


This has been a focus of my campaign. There are several things we can do as a District and as a State, and with my eight years of state legislative advocacy, I plan to advocate for the implementation of strategies that will help us attract and retain great teachers. First, as a District we have to become competitive in terms of what we pay our teachers, especially our newest teachers. This could potentially require a tax increase, but all options must be explored first. Next, as a District we need to work on a guarantee to new teachers that when hired they will be able to stay at a grade for a least two or three years. So often new teachers are moved from grade to grade, thus contributing to poor morale and development. These teachers leave the profession. Another key piece is removing public employment laws in Utah that prohibit retired educators from teaching and mentoring new teachers. Finally, we need to change teaching requirements as a state to get more of our teaching students in the classroom while still in college. They will gain valuable experience, provide additional assistance, and help more students make the decision if teaching is truly what they want to do as a career. Many other professions, such as law and medicine, provide such opportunities. It's time we elevate education to that same level.






Candidate’s Name Bryce Layne Dunford

School Board District Jordan School Board District 5 Candidate’s Website/Email www.BryceDunford.com Candidate’s Phone Number 801-910-1832

Why do you want to serve on the School Board and what skills and experiences would you bring to this position? I have been an educator for 23 years, with a front-row seat to what is going on in public education. I have children at every level of our education system. I have a master's degree in educational leadership. I believe I would bring a rich background of educational experience to the board. I am running to use that experience to bless the lives of the students in the Jordan School District.


Diversity of programs (since not all students learn the same way) and skilled and well-compensated teachers. We need to offer more options to reach students who are not being reached. We need to improve moral within our teachers and pay them what they are worth. That will ignite a fire in them to teach well.

Where do you stand on extending pre-k education and why? Where possible, I would encourage parents to own the pre-k years. If parents played with their children and read to them in those pre-k years, those students would be prepared for school. Where that is not an option for parents, I would encourage pre-k programs. However, I do not believe that pre-k programs are as high a priority as improving the k-12 education.


I would LOVE to break away from Common Core if we can find a way to break away from federal funding. Standards should be set locally by those who know our students best and know what leads to success in our local culture. Politicians, who motive are questionable, are not the best judges of local standards.


I would do everything in my power to pay them what they are worth. Educators provide one of the greatest services in our community and should be compensated accordingly. I would bring honor to teachers. I would speak about them and to them with great respect. I would seek them out and listen to them. I would try to unshackle them and allow them greater freedom. I think we need to honor them for their achievements.






Candidate’s Name Janice L. Voorhies

School Board District Jordan School Board District 6 Candidate’s Website/Email [email protected] Candidate’s Phone Number 801.260.1939

Why do you want to serve on the School Board and what skills and experiences would you bring to this position? After almost 25 years as a public secondary school teacher, I thought my experience might be useful as a school board member. During my first term, I believe have lent a perspective that most other candidates do not have.


Which gap does this question address? The gap between students who have no access to education and those who do? Students with special needs? Minority students? Generally speaking the most important element for successful student learning is quality instruction. (Many studies support the importance of a good teacher in every classrroom.) Additionallly, students need parental support at home and financial support from their elected officials.

Where do you stand on extending pre-k education and why? Pre-K education makes all the difference for some children, especially disadvantaged students. School districts can overcome the huge gaps in school readiness for most children with quality pre K programs.


I taught the former Utah core in language arts for many years. The Common Core is FAR SUPERIOR to anything Utah students have had before. Many parents do not know that as many as 1/3 of all beginning college students in Utah (and across the nation) are required to take remedial coursework in English and Math because their high school curriculum does not prepare them for college. They pay tuition for that coursework, but those credits do not count toward graduation. The Common Core was designed to help eliminate that problem --and save parents tuition money by doing so. And it is working.


Pay them more. And thank them when they do a good job.






Candidate’s Name Maria "Mitzie" Huff

School Board District Murray School Board District 1 Candidate’s Website/Email [email protected] Candidate’s Phone Number

Why do you want to serve on the School Board and what skills and experiences would you bring to this position? I would love to serve 4 more years on the Board of Education in the Murray School District because I feel I bring 12 years of experience, I have a great love for education and desire to provide a quality education for the students in Murray. I understand that working together with all stakeholders will provide the opportunity students need to succeed in the 21st Century.


It's important that every classroom has a highly qualified educator that can provide instruction and care for the students in that classroom. Teachers need to be more than just educators. Their classroom is filled with students with many different needs and many different learning abilities. Analyzing and tracking student achievement and targeting their those areas they are struggling in will give them the extra help needed for them to be successful. High achieving students also need to be challenged so that they will continue to achieve. Better funding is another important element that will draw . We need show teachers they are valued by paying them a salary that demonstrates how important they are to the success of our greatest asset - our kids.

Where do you stand on extending pre-k education and why? I feel like if we provide full day kindergarten for students that are behind great strides can be made to improve their abilities. Education is already stretched to the maximum without reaching beyond kindergarten. We need to focus our efforts on K-12. If we want to reach out to children prior to age 5, we need another funding stream to pay for that extra opportunity for kids. We cannot absorb those costs in our current funding.


I am in total support of the Utah Core. It provides standards that help students become critical thinkers, expand their depth of knowledge and prepare them for the future. It also provides continuity across the State of Utah so that students who move from school to school will find that they are studying the same concepts no matter where they are.


Offering teachers the best salary and benefit package possible with the funds we receive will help retain teachers. Having a great work environment with support from administrators also helps teachers feel valued. Teaching is a difficult career but the benefits and rewards are great as teachers see students succeed. I would love to see teachers be at the top of the pay scale. They are very deserving of better compensation for the work they do!






Candidate’s Name Michael James Nemelka

School Board District Salt Lake School Board District 2 Candidate’s Website/Email [email protected] Candidate’s Phone Number 801-521-2180

Why do you want to serve on the School Board and what skills and experiences would you bring to this position? I am a retired teacher and spent 20 years on the front lines of education. I feel that the professional teacher is being attacked by both by state school boards and their legislative representatives. Although i believe that there are some bad teachers I know through my experience that teachers on the whole care very much about their students and want them to achieve whatever successes they are capable of. I feel that I can be a positive link between the school board and the students, parents and the teachers.


Equality in education is an important element in the success of every student. I would seriously consider doing away with open enrollment.

Where do you stand on extending pre-k education and why? I think that is a waste of money and all we are doing is baby sitting for parents. Taking care of their children while they themselves work or play (have free time).


Common Core is not good for those student whose primary language is not English, because they cannot understand the basic English language and the Common Core asks them in depth questions. Teacher are trained to use a variety of learning strategies to teach all students at their level of understanding. I would support greater teacher creativity. I truly believe that the Common Core is a joke.


Treat the teachers with respect, due professionals, which I know they have earned. I would support a stipend for each and every teacher over and above their current salary. I would support greater parent and student responsibility towards their education.






Candidate’s Name J. Michael Clara

School Board District Salt Lake School Board District 2 Candidate’s Website/Email MichaelClara.com Candidate’s Phone Number 801-521-3223

Why do you want to serve on the School Board and what skills and experiences would you bring to this position? Many candidates will tell you what they are going to do and accomplish if you elect them. Now that I have completed my first term in office; I am certain that no one can question my commitment and devotion to my community. My record speaks for itself, in that I have been relentless in helping the school bureaucracy re-examine efforts to ensure that all of our children are given a real opportunity to learn and reach their true potential. If re-elected, my neighbors can trust that I will continue the work of assisting our community and all levels of government confront the realty that far too many of our children are not successful due to systemic problems that must be addressed. I will continue to exercise my authority and stewardship over how your tax dollars are spent by ensuring that Fiscal decisions are focused on doing what is right for students and our schools (accountability and transparency). I will continue to be a forthright proponent of a parent’s right to choose the type of education that best meets the needs of their children which includes Charter Schools, Private Schools, Homeschooling and other unique forms of self paced learning.


Local School Boards have the power to change the face of education in their communities through positive and appropriate policy making, equitable resource allocation, and transparent accountability to schools and the surrounding community. A School Boards power to govern is enforced through policies that have the force of law within the District. These policies shape the quality of education that a community offers its students. In other words, the quality of education in our City is a reflection of the understanding, commitment, and dedication that this School Board has towards excellence and equity. Local School Boards cannot be underestimated; they are at the root of an educational system founded upon democratic principles and promote the tenets of democracy and self-government. To that end, School Boards must wake up and assume their leadership roles more assertively and with greater dedication as guardians of educational excellence and equity. It is time for the SLC School Boards to demonstrate leadership in what happens in the schools that have been entrusted to us and to become accountable for exerting the necessary leadership to achieve educational success of each and every student.

Where do you stand on extending pre-k education and why? I support all forms of Early Childhood education. During the past four years on the Board, I have been a proponent and supporter of additional resources into this level of education. I have challenged the local school bureaucracy to increase the District's capacity to create more classrooms in an effort to meet the needs of those that are currently denied this level of education. All research shows the high value of an early childhood schooling. One well known study, the HighScope Perry Preschool Study, found that individuals who were enrolled in a quality preschool program ultimately earned up to $2,000 more per month than those that were not.






As a member of a local school board, I do support the "standards" (minimum expectations) sets forth by the Utah State Board of Education (USBE). In 2010 USBE did adopt standards for Math and English language arts that are "common" to other states in the U.S. As a member of a local school board I have the authority to set the curriculum (material) or delivery of content. I am however, vigilant to the expressed concerns of federal intrusion, data mining and sharing of student data to the federal government or other private entities -that may be attached to the adoption of state standards.


I will continue to insist that the Salt Lake City School District overhaul the Human Resources Department. The District is inconsistent, disorganized and unfair in its current hiring practices. The District is also out of synchronization with neighboring Districts on the timing of interviews and callback to applicants. Often a week or two behind other District's along the Wasatch front. Open positions are often filled based on favoritism and not the most qualified person. These unfair practices have a demoralizing effect on the entire District to the point that it is often difficult to attract and retain good teachers. At the same time, I have been a proponent of Shared Governance / Site Based Management that calls for our teachers (and parents) to have a voice and participate in the selection process of a new school principal as well as new programs coming into their school etc...I will continue to support the placement of additional resources in schools with a high concentration of "at risk" students. Resources such as a full-time Assistant Principal, full-time school counselor, full-time family outreach person, full time gang intervention specialist etc...having these types of additional personnel lifts relieves the teacher of the responsibility to deal with ancillary issues that a student may bring into the school.






Candidate’s Name Heather Bennett

School Board District Salt Lake School Board District 5 Candidate’s Website/Email electheatherbennett.com/heatherbennett@xmission.

com Candidate’s Phone Number 801.809.9542

Why do you want to serve on the School Board and what skills and experiences would you bring to this position? I first decided to run for the school board because I was dissatisfied with my own representative and felt the board had not thoughtfully analyzed the consequences before closing two elementary schools and redistributing students. Since then, the voters of District 5 have elected me three times. I seek re-election now because I believe my experience with district issues and operations, my temperament and listening skills, and the relationships I have built over time, can be useful in ensuring a productive leadership transition. Prior to my board service, I had been a local PTA president, region PTA officer, and School Community Council chair. In this school-level activism, I followed the example of my mother, who supported public education in similar ways. As board president, I managed the five-month process of community outreach and the national search for a new superintendent, which culminated in a unanimous vote of the board to appoint Dr. Alexa Cunningham. I am proud of the steps our board has accomplished toward achieving equity and excellence for our students and employees. Student achievement and graduation rates are rising. Still, we have promising goals and initiatives, which I would like to see through to completion.


Public education is our best hope for healing society’s profound divides — across race, ethnicity, religion, and sexuality. I want our new district vision to be realized: Excellence and Equity: Every Student, Every Classroom, Every Day. Research shows schools that nurture universal student achievement share certain characteristics. For example: • Dedicated, engaging teachers. • High academic expectations, articulated often. • Students are well known by at least one caring adult. • Instruction is differentiated. • Staff and students demonstrate mutual respect. • Consistent structured routines provide safety and predictability. • Clear rules are equitably enforced, with kindness. • Synchronized teams collaborate, drawing on each other’s professional expertise. • Students are offered multiple opportunities to demonstrate knowledge in a variety of ways. • Appropriate support and skill development allow students to master the curriculum. • Families are seen as partners, communication is frequent and flexible. We need to modernize our systems to improve student outcomes. Raising both graduation rates and college/career readiness will require intensive monitoring of at-risk individuals and groups, aggressive credit recovery, flexible scheduling, and culturally responsive instruction.





We must also fully implement restorative justice practices and multi-tiered systems of supports to make school a safe place for all students and eliminate disproportionate minority contact with law enforcement.

Where do you stand on extending pre-k education and why? I fully support universal access to preschool education. With a combination of state and local revenue, we have implemented full-day Kindergarten in all Salt Lake City schools. And with local, federal, and private funds, we have expanded our pre-K programs through partnerships with Head Start and the University of Utah. This fall, we also launched a full-inclusion pre-K model, in which students with disabilities learn alongside their typical peers. We have also seen great results from the Parents as Teachers (PAT) model, which focuses on home visits and building the skills of parents with very young children. For all programs, the demand is greater than our current capacity; we need to scale up. Recent analyses examining decades of research show unambiguously that high quality preschool education can have a substantial positive impact on early learning and development, including social and emotional outcomes; language, literacy, and early math skills; and physical health. Preschool benefits all children; low-income children benefit most. Positive effects can be demonstrated for English language learners and for those who speak English at home, for typically developing children and those with special needs. We still mourn Utah’s refusal of federal preschool expansion monies and hope for future investments.


I support the Common Core and our state’s adaptation, the Utah Core Standards. We need national benchmarks to measure student success, especially in the global context, where most other countries have rigorous national standards. After conversations with many teachers, students, parents, and administrators, I have come to the following conclusions: 1. The standards encourage higher-level skill development. 2. They demand more open-ended instructional techniques. 3. They require students to produce meaningful evidence of learning. 4. They are better correlated with 21st-century requirements. 5. They must be given time to work. Implementation began only six years ago and we have three years of SAGE assessment data aligned to the new standards. Teachers and schools still need to develop and improve aligned curricula and build capacity to differentiate instruction according to students’ needs. Standards should focus instruction, not confine it. It’s important to continuously evaluate the standards, including their emphasis on non-fiction in language arts and de-emphasis of algorithmic problem solving in math. Our schools are challenged to rise to new levels of rigor and uses of technology, especially given the underlying conditions, including low teacher salaries and competing political agendas. Nevertheless, I believe in the potential of Utah students and educators.


The teacher shortage makes this a top priority. Some specific ideas: 1. Increase overall compensation. We recently dedicated $1 million in property tax revenue to reducing teacher-paid insurance premiums, but we can and must do more to reward the great work of educators in our community. 2. Open new leadership and growth opportunities. Many don’t want to be administrators but do appreciate career advancement and better pay. We already remunerate academic coaches, peer mentors, and National Board certified teachers. We must find more ways to recognize teachers who evolve and grow. 3. Solicit and use teacher feedback in decision-making. Salt Lake City School District’s rich history of shared governance has been partially obscured by the focus on accountability. No significant improvements will occur unless teachers are at the table, empowered and valued. 4. Encourage collaboration. Professional learning communities raise student outcomes and teachers’ esteem by providing time and space to reflect, plan, and improve practices.





5. Enhance working conditions. Class size, paperwork, and accountability pressures lead to burnout. We can offer support, streamline processes, and ensure responsibilities are shared equally. 6. Recruit from within. Supporting our own students and parents as they pursue teaching can yield both commitment and diversity.






Candidate’s Name Jason Stevenson

School Board District Salt Lake School Board District 5 Candidate’s Website/Email www.jasonstevenson.net Candidate’s Phone Number 801-419-0568

Why do you want to serve on the School Board and what skills and experiences would you bring to this position? My decision to run for SLC school board is driven by both personal and professional reasons. On the personal side, watching my 5-year-old son enter a kindergarten classroom this fall has renewed my interest to understand, guide, and strengthen local public education. With two young children at home, my family will be engaged with the SLC schools for the next 17 years. I want to play an active role not only for my own kids, but for all children in the district. Professionally, my 16 years in public policy, community outreach, and grassroots advocacy has showed me the foundational role that local public schools play in the lives of children, parents, and communities. I currently direct policy and communications for a local nonprofit that helps people sign up for health insurance. I also serve as co-chair of a SLC community council, and as an appointed member of city transportation advisory committee. In all of these roles I seek out diverse viewpoints and listen to every voice—especially those who might disagree with me. No stranger to complex issues, I will bring an open, responsive and collaborative approach to governing our schools.


I believe every student in every school deserves the same pathways to success. If some students begin school with less preparation and fewer resources, the district should not only devote more attention to their needs, but also to collaborate with parents, community partners, and trusted local leaders to ensure their younger siblings are better prepared then they enter school in future years. In my healthcare work I always seek out the latest data, best approaches, and fresh partnerships to improve the performance of my nonprofit. Working with others increases our impact on people’s lives. Sadly, the Salt Lake school district is often not at the table when we convene these coalitions. This district has a reputation of being walled-off from new partnerships and ideas—especially with peer districts and local nonprofits working on equity issues. Even if you are doing everything right, you can still learn from others. I want to return an open-door, collaborative, and innovative approach to guiding the Salt Lake City schools. My three goals are: • Creating a school district that listens and responds to all challenges • Investing in educational and social programs proven to make a difference • Promoting a safe and welcoming environment for all students

Where do you stand on extending pre-k education and why? The evidence is clear that investing in high-quality pre-K education pays dividends in future years. After all, waiting until kindergarten to help kids get “caught up” on their academic skills is like trying to board an airplane already flying at 10,000 feet. I support both public and public-private partnership efforts to extend pre-K (and all-day kindergarten) to more students within the SLCSD. I also support the efforts of the new Family and School Collaboration





Department to better understand the social barriers (e.g. health issues, truancy, transportation) that keep kids from succeeding at school. Family characteristics like low income, qualifying for free and reduced priced lunch, ESL-status, and frequent address changes should not be considered excuses for a student’s lack of success. Instead, they should be triggers that activate additional resources and support. Pre-K programs can serve as the initial listening posts to make contact with students and families who need extra resources—increasing the chance for success down the road. I believe the school board and administration should pursue policies that extend these resources beyond the classroom—both in time and distance—to reach more families earlier in their educational journey.


I like how the Utah Common Code introduces higher levels of thinking and reasoning into the study of math, science, social studies, and language arts. I also like the Core’s focus on critical thinking over rote memorization. I believe much of the public criticism of the Common Core comes from exaggeration and misinformation. When voters ask me about the Utah Common Core, I give the following example: “Remember how we (i.e. adults) learned long division? We drew this sideways “L” where you put the number you’re trying to divide on the inside, the number you’re trying to divide it by on outside. Then you carry a bunch of numbers to the top, and the answer pops out on the bottom. It’s like a magic box that solves your long division problem. But do you know what happens inside that magic box? Why do we carry the 1’s to a different column? And why do we shift the rows of numbers as we complete the problem? Common Core math doesn’t rely on a magic box. Instead, this new approach to math peels back the sides of the magic box to teach kids number theory and relationships. That’s why it looks so scary to us adults. We learned the magic box approach, and our kids are learning what happens inside that box, and I think that’s a good thing.”


Having grown up in a family with multiple generations of public school teachers, I understand the crucial role they play as the district’s most important resource. As a result, I support policies and actions that increase the respect given to K-12 teachers, and oppose policies that diminish their professionalism. For instance, I oppose the Academic Pathway to Teaching (APT) rule recently approved by the Utah State Board of Education. My conversations with district teachers have taught me that administrative burdens and complicated rules often restrict classroom instruction and discourage teachers from remaining in their profession. Teachers want clear, consistent, and logical goals and standards to follow—along with a minimum of paperwork. This is also true in healthcare, where I have a lot of experience fixing glitches and streamlining procedures. In addition to applying those lessons to education, I would ensure that the district maintains a policy of detailed and upfront communication with teachers—especially on crucial topics like schedules and benefits. Although SLCSD teacher salaries are generally higher than neighboring districts, most Utah teachers aren't paid enough to compensate them for their education, work, and dedication. I think this is especially true for new teachers and entry-level salaries.






Candidate’s Name Ryan Pleune

School Board District Salt Lake School Board District 7 Candidate’s Website/Email www.ryanpleune.org Candidate’s Phone Number 801 633-3474

Why do you want to serve on the School Board and what skills and experiences would you bring to this position? I am running because I care about public education. I have 12 years of classroom teaching experience, I have served on the School Improvement Committees and Leadership Teams at various schools as a teacher and I am a community organizer with experience in collaboration with diverse stakeholders. My biggest strength is a deep understanding of the demands, complexities and challenges of classroom teaching and improving student access and achievement. I started teaching at East High School in 2004 and took on leadership roles to improve the conditions for teachers and students. What I quickly learned is that even the most ideal programs and “best practices” had limited effectiveness because of the high class size and teacher load. For example a high school English teacher working to create strong readers and writers might be pressured to work 3 hours beyond contract time each day simply to grade the 200-240 essays from their juniors or five sentence paragraphs from their freshmen. Similarly a Kindergarten teacher with 28 students may spend several months simply getting to know the diverse needs of so many students and families before being able to establish routines and focus on high quality teaching for 5 year olds many of whom have not had the privilege to benefit from early childhood education. My biggest asset is that my peer group all have kids entering the SLCSD and since I do not have kids I have extra time to devote to this position with a unique perspective as a teacher and parent advocate who view public education as a system to benefit all students in Salt Lake City not as specific and unique programs to benefit only certain families or special interests. I have deep and direct experience with classroom teaching for 5 year olds through 18 year olds as I currently work at a K-8 public charter school and have taught high school age students previous to that. My campaign for a position as school board member is a step towards addressing some systemic issues that I have been confronting in my classrooms since I began teaching in 2004. For the last six years, I have continued working as a teacher and also broadened my skills as a community organizer. I am a full time teacher and know first-hand what it takes to create a compelling, safe, equitable, and socially just education system. It starts with acknowledging we can't do it alone. Please read my website www.ryanpleune.org to learn about this collective journey of co-creating a campaign to continue striving for active pedagogy, equity, ecological literacy and restorative justice in the Salt Lake City schools.


The most important elements for a school system to provide a quality education are financial and social/cultural resources. The opportunity gap (aka achievement gap) we have starts before students enter kindergarten and is only perpetuated as students get tracked into different programs that have defacto segregation based on race and class. As a start we would have to fund pre-K education for 4 year olds and take other measures that focus all resources on equal outcomes for students. Finland has a good model of public education where teachers are valued as professionals and student achievement is measured on equal outcomes not simply on equal access like we do here. We are a long ways from being able to implement that type of model because we are limited financially with a lower tax base and also culturally





because we are focused on the individual rather than on society as a whole. With our current culture and financial resources we can help address the opportunity gap (aka achievement gap) by integrating our schools racially and economically where all students can benefit. School integration policy is one of my campaign platforms and while it is currently illegal to segregate schools, there are many tracking programs and choice programs that segregate our schools by race and class that appear to be legal and are socially accepted. One political spin on certain public education programs is that they help create a better world for anyone as compared to creating a better world for everyone. We see this spin in the current paradigm of “school choice” policies, where parents can choose to send their students to any public school in their district or students and parents can choose to enter honors or AP track classes. Theoretically, “choice” means parents and students could choose to send their students to a diverse, integrated school or classroom where research has shown (https://tcf.org/content/report/how-racially-diverse-schools-and-classrooms-can-benefit-all-students/) that all students benefit. But in practice what has happened nationwide--as well as in our out Salt Lake City public schools--is that schools are becoming segregated by race and class again, in some areas worse than in pre-1970 levels (http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/02/promise-of-integrated-schools/462681/). Captive to the ideology of focusing on individuals instead of society as a whole, “school choice” claims to be a method that could help “anyone,” but when we look at the data it is segregating our schools and does not help “everyone”. (One political spin on certain public education programs is that they help create a better world for anyone as compared to creating a better world for everyone. We see this spin in the current paradigm of “school choice” policies, where parents can choose to send their students to any public school in their district. Theoretically, “choice” means parents could choose to send their students to a diverse, integrated school where research has shown (https://tcf.org/content/report/how-racially-diverse-schools-and-classrooms-can-benefit-all-students/) that all students benefit. But in practice what has happened nationwide--as well as in our out Salt Lake City public schools--is that schools are becoming segregated by race and class again, in some areas worse than in pre-1970 levels (http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2016/02/promise-of-integrated-schools/462681/). Captive to the ideology of focusing on individuals instead of society as a whole, “school choice” claims to be a method that could help “anyone,” but when we look at the data it is segregating our schools and does not help “everyone”. "For instance, even predominantly white Salt Lake City (75% according to the 2010 Census) contains an inner core of segregated schools with non-white student bodies. There are five segregated elementary schools in the heart of Salt Lake City: Guadalupe School, Dual Immersion Academy, Backman School, Edison School, and Meadowlark School." (http://blog.enigma.io/the-new-face-of-segregation-in-schools/). As a school board member I would work to educate the board and administration on how integration benefits all students and I would advocate to make it a priority and eventually policy district wide. I also advocate for evaluating achievement on a three tiered criteria: including test scores with high-quality student work and character (as compared to the current one dimensional view which includes only test scores). In the schools I have taught in this works by providing a common criteria list of what constitutes high-quality work, which guides teachers and students in analyzing student work and guides teachers in analyzing their assignments. The current school I teach in defines quality work as having three features: complexity, craftsmanship, and authenticity. Schools also build character in students every day, all day, whether they want to or not, and it is disingenuous not to address this issue directly. Political and educational leaders often worry that character connects to values, and values connect to religion and personal beliefs, and therefore schools need to avoid discussing character. Currently the SLCSD has citizenship grades that are extremely vague and have different interpretations from each teacher. School teaches students how to approach work and how to work with, and treat, others; it can do this well and intentionally, or ignore the issue and do it poorly. I think most people would agree about the desirability of these more specific character traits: respect, courtesy, kindness, integrity, perseverance, cooperation, courage. Showing evidence of good character is something that every student and every school can be accountable for every day. I would promote dialogue district wide for each school to decide on a set of character values for positive behavior that students discuss, self-assess and peer assess in classes and meetings daily. Grading and reporting in our schools should distinguish between disciplinary content and





skills and--graded separately--habits of character. Success in both areas should be necessary for promotion. I would embed both the quality work and the character evaluations into the Assessment and Evaluation department in the district and find ways to account for these practices current systems of school and teacher evaluations. I know this is possible because I am part of a national school reform network called EL Education that provides implementation reviews for each school on an annual basis using the criteria I described above. School principals would be accountable for leadership on creating this three dimensional culture of assessment at their school and they would report these aspects in their School Improvement Plan. I think that when schools are given the framework and permission to re-prioritize their emphasis to include quality of work along with character, this would not require a lot of additional funding. Possibly re-prioritizing current resources that are heavily embedded in SAGE test evaluation would free up some professional development funding to catalyze this three dimensional culture of student achievement.

Where do you stand on extending pre-k education and why? Extending pre-K education is essential to closing the opportunity gap because upon entering kindergarten at age 5 there is already a disparity in achievement measures based on race an class. Research has shown that early childhood education helps close this gap more than any other intervention programs later in a child's education.


I do support the Common Core and the Next Generation Science Standards. The Common Core is a set of standards for all students nationally and we live in global society where students at least need to be exposed to the same learning standards as their peers around the country. The Common Core does not prescribe how to teach and local education agencies can support their teachers in teaching by any method that would help students learn this common set of standards.


To attract, support and retain great teachers I would treat them like professionals. I would advocate to increase salaries and increase paid professional development and create a holistic teacher evaluation method that evaluates their student achievement growth based on the three criteria described above as well as their professional growth. SLCSD has the highest pay rate in the Wasatch Front which helps us attract high quality teachers but a starting salary is still under 40,000 per year and very difficult to raise a family on.






Candidate’s Name Kristi Swett

School Board District Salt Lake School Board District 7 Candidate’s Website/Email Kristiswett.com Candidate’s Phone Number 801-485-0681

Why do you want to serve on the School Board and what skills and experiences would you bring to this position? The Board of Education recently went through a search for our superintendent of schools. I believe our district is headed in a positive direction with our new superintendent, and I want to be apart of the planning, collaboration and excitement spurred on by this decision which I contributed to. I have a long history of advocating for our students and teachers, in our district, at our state legislature and with business and community leaders. I keep our students as my focus, which always provides opportunity for collaboration and positive outcomes. My husband Craig and I have lived in our neighborhood for 30 years, we have 2 sons who attended our public schools, we have invested our time and energy into our community and I would like to continue the work I have been engaged in for nearly 14 years on the Board of Education.


Every child has a right to a quality education, as a state we can not longer be last in the nation for funding our public education system. Key elements are, manageable classroom sizes, early childhood education, involving parents in decisions about their child's education, equal access to all programs for all students and a highly qualified teacher for every classroom. The education gap is a complex issue which will require complex solutions. However, we can't shy away from addressing the issue because it's difficult -- our children are worth the effort.

Where do you stand on extending pre-k education and why? Early childhood education is another key component to help prepare children for school success. As a current board member, I have supported our investment in our children and families by providing programs such as Parent as Teachers, for birth to 5 year olds, the Parent and child preschool for 3 year olds, our Pre Kindergarten classes for 4 year olds and the Summer Readiness for students in the summer prior to entering Kindergarten. The Community Learning Center on the campus of Mountain View Elementary and Glendale Middle School, and the future Site at Lincoln Elementary, are examples of the investments I have supported and will continue to support , to offer early childhood education programs for the children of our school district.


I do support the Utah Core Standards.These standards have established a framework for high quality instruction in every classroom so our students are ready for post-secondary training, college, or a career. The standards are a guideline, which allowed Salt Lake District and other districts, to reatain the autonomy to make decisions about materials and methods taught in our district in order to meet the needs of our students in our classrooms.






Teachers today need to feel supported and be provided the tools to be successful in this districts ever changing and challenging classrooms. In order to attract, support and retain great teachers we need to, partner with high education institutions to better prepare college graduates for the challenges in our public schools, maintain and expand a mentoring program for new teachers, provide relevant professional development and reward and celebrate academic achievements. I believe, forging a coalition between administrators, teachers, parents and students who's goal is to elevate the teaching profession, is in public educations best interest.



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