MTI2008
MTI VOTERS
2008 School Board Election Questionnaire
General:
1. The Madison Metropolitan School District held a referendum in June 2003 to enable the MMSD to exceed the State’s repressive revenue controls. Did you support the 2003 referendum?
YES
2. a. The School Board held three (3) referenda in Spring, 2005. Did you support the referendum to enable the School Board to continue the expenditure level for maintenance, as was approved in a referendum 5 years ago.
YES
b. Did you support the 2005 referendum to exceed the State’s repressive revenue controls in 2005 for general operating expenses, including staffing levels (so that class sizes don’t increase and to provide wage increases).
YES
c. Did you support the 2005 referendum to enable school construction to alleviate overcrowded schools?
YES
3. The Madison Metropolitan School District held a referendum in November, 2006. Did you support this referendum?
YES
4. If the School Board finds it necessary to change school boundaries due to enrollment, what criteria would you use as a Board member to make such a judgement?
The criteria in place now as stated in Appendix D of the MMSD’s “Dealing with Boundary Changes”.cc
5. If the School Board finds it necessary to close a school/schools due to economic reasons, what criteria would you use as a Board member to make such a judgement?
There is no doubt that our elementary schools, in particular, are the major anchor for our neighborhoods. Unless our neighborhoods recycle and flourish we will lose the inner city vibrancy that Madison needs. That is why I will take this opportunity to unequivocally state:” I will not vote to close any elementary school.” However, in order to accomplish this there must be a strong partnership between the district and the city. I support the district/city council joint committee, which has been transformed with new members, and ideas and I will also ask our new Superintendent to work with the Mayor to further this end. Forbes Magazine recently named Madison and the surrounding area as the second best education location in the country. I will do all I can to maintain this well-earned reputation.
6. If the School Board finds it necessary, due to the State-imposed revenue controls, to make further budget cuts to the 2007-08 budget, what criteria would you use as a Board member to make such a judgement?
Each budget season, I will carefully explore any and all cuts proposed by the administration and other Board members, using the direct impact on our students as my primary criteria. The passage of knowledge from teacher to student must remain sacrosanct. However, my focus will be on working to temporarily avoid the divisive and harmful cuts locally with an operating referendum of sufficient size to move us beyond conserving the good in our district to providing the programs and services our children need and deserve. At the state level, I will continue to work for school finance reform and to push MMSD to take a leading role in this area. The madness has gone on too long.
7. Identify specific MMSD programs and/or policies, which you believe should to be modified, re-prioritized, or eliminated, and explain why.
We should re think the one math curriculum for all concept. The experts in math are our teachers and administrators close to the action. I am anxious to see the results of the math curriculum study. In addition, the BOE should not get into the micromanaging of curriculum.
8. What should the District do to reduce violence/assure that proper discipline and safety (of the learning and working environment) is maintained in our schools?
The recent additional allocations to middle and high schools for security purposes will certainly help. I would like to learn more about the discipline plans now in effect in all schools. It is not clear to me that teachers participated enough in the formation of these policies. The bottom line is our schools must be kept safe for all students and staff or no learning will take place. Expulsion must be a last resort but if it effectuates a decline in student or staff stress as a result of a student’s excessive threats or actual behavior, it is a necessity. I prefer in-school suspensions where students can continue their learning. Both expelled and suspended students must be given the opportunity to continue their education and must be counseled with behavioral expectations. As a teacher I saw many examples of a mutual need for both students and staff who need a temporary break from each other. Above all, thinking again, in terms of an increasingly urban district, our schools must have a uniform behavior code for all students to learn in, from kindergarten through to graduation, a code that remains consistent and fair throughout the students’ life in MMS.
9. Do you agree that the health insurance provided to District employees should be mutually selected through the collective bargaining process?
YES
10. Explain any concerns/proposed solutions you have about the District’s minority achievement efforts.
Madison schools have had some success in raising the achievements levels for many of our students. It is agonizingly slow but steady. I would like a closer look at the Title I program, its funding and allocation within the system.
11. Explain your position regarding four-year-old and all-day kindergarten programs.
I favor these programs. The more children we can reach earlier the more success they will have in school. Both programs are crucial for the best possible start for our children’s’ education
12. Would you support the Early Learning Initiative, if it violated the MTI/MMSD Contract ban on contracting out?
No, but I think we should have more programs like the teacher model used in the Vera Court and I would love to find a way to deal with this important community issue in a collaborative way.
13. Should planning time for elementary teachers be increased? If yes, how could this be accomplished? (see Contract provision attached.)
As a former elementary teacher I know the continual need for more planning time. The Contract provision was not attached to my questionnaire.
14. Given that the Wisconsin Association of School Boards rarely supports the interests of the Madison Metropolitan School District, do you support the District withdrawing from the WASB?
If we are to overturn the repressive revenue caps or the QEO we need every possible group to unite behind it. I don’t know if it is possible but I would like to try to work with this group. Other Board members have told me that they have been helpful to them.
15. From what sources do you believe that public schools should be funded?
a. Do you support further increasing student fees?
NO we may have no option but I would prefer not to.
16. Do you support class sizes of 15 or less for the primary grades?
YES
17. Do you oppose:
a. The use of public funds (vouchers) to enable parents to pay tuition with tax payers’ money for religious and private schools?
YES
b. The expansion of Charter schools within the Madison Metropolitan School District?
NO (I am, however, interested in pursuing a safe learning environment for those students combating substance abuse. This might take a Charter school route or not. An example would be The Horizon School. I don’t think we are talking enough about the large number of substance abusing students in our schools. However, no matter what is done, it must follow the collective bargaining agreement.
c. Senate Bill 377 which creates a charter school in Madison and Milwaukee under the direction of the University of Wisconsin system?
YES (I have limited information about this but would like to know more)
18. List MMSD staff and Board member(s) from whom you do or would seek advice.
Carol Carstensen, Arlene Silveira, Beth Moss, Bill Keys
19. Is your candidacy being promoted by any organization? If yes, please name such organization(s).
NO
20. Have you ever been employed as a teacher? If yes, please describe why you left the teaching profession.
27 years as a teacher and retired in 2003.
21. Do you support the inclusion model for including Title 1, EEN and ESL students in the regular education classroom? Why/why not?
Absolutely – aside from the very clear research, which proves its efficacy, our schools must be based on the concept that all children will be given the maximum opportunity to succeed.
22. The Board of Education has moved from the development of policy to becoming involved in implementation of policy; i.e. matters usually reserved to administration. Some examples are when it:
a. Decided to hear parents’ complaints about a teacher’s tests and grading.
b. Decided to modify the administration’s decision about how a State Statute should be implemented.
Do you believe that the Board should delegate to administration the implementation of policy which the Board has created and the implementation of State Statutes.
YES
Do you believe that the Board should delegate to administration the implementation of State Statutes?
YES
Would you support the Board exploring a means to make their meetings more efficient?
YES
23. Do/did/will your children attend private or parochial schools during their K-12 years? If no, and if you have children, what schools have/will they attend(ed)?
NO My children attended Leopold, Cherokee and West HS
Legislation
24. Will you introduce and vote for a motion, which would direct the Wisconsin Association of School Boards to request the introduction and promote the passage of legislation to eliminate the revenue controls on public schools?
YES
25. Will you introduce and vote for a motion, which would direct the Wisconsin Association of School Boards to oppose any legislation which would authorize a tax freeze and/or a taxpayers bill of rights (TABOR)?
YES
26. Will you introduce and vote for a motion to direct the Wisconsin Association of School Boards to request the introduction and promote the passage of legislation to eliminate the Qualified Economic Offer which restricts free and open collective bargaining for teachers and would enable teacher wages to be established through negotiations between the parties?
YES
27. Will you introduce and vote for a motion to direct the Wisconsin Association of School Boards to request the introduction and promote the passage of legislation to prohibit the privatization of public schools via the use of tuition tax credits (vouchers) to pay tuition with taxpayers’ money to private or religious schools?
YES
28. Will you introduce and vote for a motion to direct the Wisconsin Association of School Boards to request the introduction and promote the passage of legislation which will maintain or expand the benefit level of the Wisconsin Family and Medical Leave Act?
YES
29. Will you introduce and vote for a motion to direct the Wisconsin Association of School Boards to request the introduction and promote the passage of legislation which will increase the retirement formula multiplier from 1.6% to 2% for teachers and general employees, i.e. equal that of protective employees?
YES
30. Will you introduce and vote for a motion to direct the Wisconsin Association of School Boards to request the introduction and promote the passage of legislation which will prohibit public employee residency requirements?
YES
31. Will you introduce and vote for a motion to direct the Wisconsin Association of School Boards to request the introduction and promote the passage of legislation which will eliminate and forbid restrictions to free and open collective bargaining for the selection of insurance for public employees (under Wis. Stat. 111.70), including the naming of the insurance carrier?
YES
32. Will you introduce and vote for a motion to direct the Wisconsin Association of School Boards to request the introduction and promote the passage of legislation which will guarantee free and open collective bargaining regarding the establishment of the school calendar/school year, including the right to begin the school year, via negotiations between MTI and the District?
YES
33. Will you introduce and vote for a motion to direct the Wisconsin Association of School Boards to request the introduction and promote the passage of legislation to forbid the work of employees organized under Wis. Stat. 111.70 (collective bargaining statute) to be subcontracted?
YES
34. Will you introduce and vote for a motion to direct the Wisconsin Association of School Boards to seek passage of legislation which will mandate full State funding of any State-mandated program?
YES
35. Will you introduce and vote for a motion to direct the Wisconsin Association of School Boards to seek passage of legislation which will provide adequate State funding of public education?
YES
Your Campaign:
36. Are you, or any of your campaign committee members, active in or supportive of the “Get Real”, “ACE”, or “Vote No for Change” organizations?
You must be kidding –
37. Name of Campaign Committee/Address/Phone #/Treasurer. List the members of your campaign committee.
Marj Passman for School Board 2935 S. Fish Hatchery Rd. #234 Madison, WI 53713 608 334-2043 Don Hollec, treasurer, 608 277-9743
Committee: Michael Jacob, Bill Keys, Carol Carstensen, TJ Mertz, Jane Albert, Nan Youngerman, Candy Oyler, Barb Katz, Jeri and Tom Grogg, et al.
