SCHOOL BOARD VACANCY SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE
Candidate’s Name: Anne
Dorrian Lenzotti
Contact Address:
Contact Telephone Number: (w) 365-5610, (h) 840-9246
Contact Email Address: alenzotti2999@columbus.k12.oh.us
Please answer all questions and send a completed questionnaire by January
16 via email to:
1. Please state your
professional or volunteer activities with K-12 education, either in the
Worthington School District, another school district or in a private school.
PROFESSIONAL
EXPERIENCE
Columbus
Public Schools
As director of real estate and shared facilities I am a
member of the superintendent’s extended cabinet. While I am primarily responsible
for the development of shared facilities programs and real estate activities for
the district I have also had the opportunity to represent the capital
improvement’s office on committees/projects related to several district issues
and/or initiatives. Additionally, as a
result of my role with the district, I have become familiar with sections of current
While working as director of real estate, I represented the
university on a community-wide panel to develop the
In light of the new Ohio Core curriculum requirements, I
believe my experience as a university professor and academic advisor provides
me with a valuable insight into what is expected of students as they graduate
from high school and enter college.
VOLUNTEER
ACTIVITIES:
2. What personal traits, skills, or experiences
would you bring to the position that you feel would make you an effective board
member?
First and foremost, I believe I am family-centered. I was raised by parents who emphasized the
importance of public service and education and I hope to pass that commitment
on to my children. This emphasis has
influenced my choice of a career in education.
As a working parent, I am sensitive to the daily challenges faced trying
to balance work responsibilities with family life.
Secondly, I would describe my approach to decision-making as
thorough, thoughtful, and fair. Over the
years I have tried to train myself to take the time necessary to give an
appropriate response rather than an immediate reaction. I have found that issues related to the
education of our children are almost always filled with emotion and it is
important to try to separate the objective and subjective elements. In a time when school boards must decide on
potential budget cuts almost annually, it is important to be able to make fact
based decisions that can be understood by the public, even if they are not
liked.
Next, I am experienced with all types of communication. I am equally comfortable speaking in front of
large groups, conducting a brainstorming session with a small group, or having
a discussion with an individual.
Additionally, I have a familiarity with the political process along with
the responsibilities that come with being a public official.
Finally, I am good with numbers.
Whenever I teach a finance course, I start my first lecture by writing
“WYGTN” on the board and challenging my students to guess my motto (Where’d You
Get That Number). This motto has served
me well in my work with departmental and property budgets, financial analysis,
and grant writing. I believe it will
serve me equally well in the role of school board member.
3. What do you think is the most pressing issue
in the Worthington Schools?
I believe the most pressing issue for Worthington Schools is that
same as that for all other
4. If it were necessary to make substantial cuts
in the expenditures of the district, what areas would you cut first, and what areas
would you seek to preserve?
I
do not believe it would be appropriate for me to identify specific budget cuts
without first reviewing the recommendations of the superintendent and treasurer
and I would first want to ensure that the district has pursued all possible
sources of revenue available. Once
budget items required by state and federal laws (such as NCLB) were deducted I
would review the remainder of the proposed budget in terms of how it will help
the district maintain our current excellent rating and potentially take us to
the next level, especially in light of our declining enrollment. While I intend to approach the district’s
budgeting process with an open mind, if significant cuts are required, I am
prepared to make and vote on the tough decisions.
At a time when the district is faced with making decisions on
expenditures to cut, I believe that as a board member I need to consider all
areas for potential cuts, even those that might be of personal interest to
me.
5.
If it were possible to add new programs to the district, what programs would you
seek to add?
In an ideal world with unlimited funding, I would seek to add:
6. What do you see as the impact of “No
Child Left Behind” on the Worthington Schools? What about the
The
federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) was signed by President Bush in 2002. NCLB requires districts and their schools to
show Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) as measured by standardized state tests,
attendance, and graduation rates. In
addition to meeting AYP as a whole, schools must also meet AYP for student
sub-groups. Those sub-groups reflect
concentrations of students as identified by race, financial status, special
needs, and language proficiency. If a
single sub-group at a school does not meet the proficiency requirement, the
entire school is viewed to have fallen short and the school is given a “Not
Met” status. Ironically a school can
receive an excellent rating on its state report card, but be “At Risk” due to performance
by a single sub-group. This was the
case for one district school last year.
Although
In
January Governor Taft signed into law the Ohio Core plan which will require a
more rigorous college prep curriculum in all
7. If selected, what do you see as your role in
influencing state education laws and policies that affect the Worthington
Schools?
As a board member, my first responsibility would be to stay
current on proposed laws and policies which could affect the district and to
identify the entities responsible for their development, recommendation, and
approval. These entities could include
the state legislature, Ohio Department of Education, the governor’s office, or
the general voting population.
Next I believe it is important to discuss any proposed legislation
or policy with relevant stakeholders and then for the school board to come to
consensus as to the position the district supports. Once the board’s position is determined,
board members should develop both formal and informal means of promoting the
district’s position most effectively.
This could involve a variety of approaches including personal contact
with legislators, the DOE, the governor’s office, the Ohio School Board
Association, or collaborating with other Ohio school district’s who share a
similar position. My work experience has
enabled me to gain a familiarity with entities named above and I believe this
would be an asset to the district as the board develops strategies to promote
our position on proposed laws and policies which impact our schools.
8. What do you see as the roles and
responsibilities of a school board member?
I
believe the roles and responsibilities of a school board member are clearly
outlined in the job description posted on the district’s web site and in
9. What evidence do you believe shows the
Worthington Schools are adequately, or inadequately, preparing students for
their lives after graduation?
My husband and I chose our home in part based on the excellent
reputation of the Worthington Schools and we have not been disappointed. As a real estate broker, I have found that
our experience is similar to that of other homebuyers I have worked with who
are also confident in the quality of education provided by our school district. This public opinion is supported annually by
our district’s Excellent rating on our state report card and the fact that all
of our schools individually have Excellent or Effective ratings. Additionally, district schools and individual
students are regularly the recipients of numerous awards and scholarships.