|
|
|
November 3, 2009
PRIMARY
ELECTION
UNITED SCHOOL BOARD
Candidates who have cross-filed (qualified for both party ballots) are listed only once. Each entry includes the candidate’s name, post office, and year of birth.
What in your background, training, and experience qualifies you to be an effective school board member?
-
What do you consider to be the most important issue your school district will face in the next few years, and how should the school board address this concern?
-
Childhood obesity and school bullying are two issues frequently in the news. What can school boards do to help solve these problems?
Donald A. Davis
Homer City, PA 15748
Republican & Democrat
YOB: 1952
-
What in your background, training, and experience qualifies you to be an effective school board member?
I have been a resident of the United School District (Buffington Township) for over ten years. My educational experience includes thirty-five years as a teacher and administrator in the United and Blairsville-Saltsburg School Districts. Although I am retired, I continue to maintain an interest in education. Professionally, I am working for the Pennsylvania Department of Education as a peer monitor, helping to evaluate the Special Education programs of Pennsylvania schools. Personally, I have an interest in the continuing success of the United School District as one grandchild attends United and another soon will. My experience working with a Board of Directors includes over ten years serving on the board of The Open Door in Indiana with three years as president. I am currently a member of the United Board of Education, having been appointed to fill the uncompleted term of a member who resigned.
-
What do you consider to be the most important issue your school district will face in the next few years, and how should the school board address this concern?
As a resident of the United School District, I am acutely aware of the need for fiscal responsibility while providing for the educational needs of students and maintaining quality facilities that residents may utilize and be proud of. In my opinion, the school budget, especially as it relates to the uncertain state budget must be one of the most important issues that the district will face in the next few years. Budget planning must be a team effort that includes input from administrators, the business manager, the board and the community. The skeleton of a school district budget must be built around expenses such as salaries and mandated services. Staffing needs must be planned using data that includes current enrollment as well as the projected population growth/decline of the district. Creative funding sources such as grants must also be considered.
-
Childhood obesity and school bullying are two issues frequently in the news. What can school boards do to help solve these problems?
As the elected, decision making representatives of a school district, board members must be aware of current issues and trends in education. Certainly childhood obesity and school bullying are two very important issues frequently in the news. Board policy manuals must be a primary resource for many, if not most decisions that are to be made. These policies must be reviewed and modified as necessary. In order to combat childhood obesity, schools must follow established wellness policies. The details of these policies must be communicated by each school to members of the community. In addition they must be enforced by the administration. There are also programs that combat school bullying. It is the job of the school staff to provide age appropriate programs that protect potential victims and educate students. It is the job of the administration to report the success and needs of these programs to the board. It is the job of the board to support the staff in the delivery of these programs.
|
