WORTHINGTON BOARD OF EDUCATION

SCHOOL BOARD VACANCY SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE

 

 

Candidate’s Name:     Elaine D. Edgar__________________________________________

 

Contact Address:     6215 Olentangy River Road    Worthington, OH 43085-3469_______    

 

Contact Telephone Number:      433-0239 (home) ________________________________

 

Contact Email Address:      pedgar@columbus.rr.com___________________________________    

 

Please answer all questions and send a completed questionnaire by January 16 via email to:

 

vgnezda@worthington.k12.oh.us

 

 

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.

 

  • School Improvement Planning Team; Kilbourne Middle School

 

  • Parent, Teacher, Student Organizations; Evening Street Elementary School, Kilbourne Middle School and Thomas Worthington High School

 

  • Worthington Care After School Board of Trustees; President

 

  • Thomas Worthington High School Diamond Club; Coordinated the TWHS Baseball Team members who worked as vendors at OSU football games

 

 

2.  What personal traits, skills, or experiences would you bring to the position that you feel would make you an effective board member?

 

Traits/Skills

  • Work well with diverse groups of people
  • Trustworthy
  • Conscientious, team player, good listener, adaptable, problem-solver, innovative
  • Research, analytical and organizational skills
  • Exceptional oral and written communication skills
  • Effectively use personal computer systems and databases
  • Good listener, positive attitude, fast learner and enthusiastic

 

 

Work Experiences

  • Arranged and conducted numerous site visits to school districts in Ohio as an employee of the Ohio Department of Education and as an employee for the Ohio Board of Regents to provide curriculum guidance and monitor state and federal grants
  • Oversaw the development of the State of Ohio’s Academic Content Standards as an employee of the Ohio Department of Education
  • Presented at State and National educational conferences
  • Promote continuous improvement through Baldrige, Total Quality Management and use quality tools
  • Prepared board materials and presented to the State Board of Education and the Ohio Board of Regents
  • Worked with the Joint Council (members of the State Board of Education and members of the Ohio Board of Regents) focusing on Kindergarten through higher education initiatives
  • Provided technical assistance to high schools, Career Technical and Adult superintendents, vocational directors, and school districts in the Northeast and Southeast regions in Ohio while serving as a liaison from the Ohio Department of Education
  • Worked with the State University Education Deans Council regarding teacher preparation issues and Local Professional Development Centers
  • College degree in Education and held teaching certificate in Home Economics grades 7 – 12
  • Strategic planning experience
  • Extensive experience in many aspects of education ranging form student teaching in college to teaching a Gerontology course at Columbus State Community College
  • Worked with multiple panels of educators to create articulation and transfer modules
  • Researched and wrote publications for adolescents with cancer
  • Trainer and management experience

 

Degrees:

 

Ph.D., The Ohio State University, 1989

College of Human Ecology, Family Relations and Human Development                         

Area of Specialization: Gerontology

Dissertation: “Factors Which Impact on Older Widows’ Loneliness: A Comparison of Childless Widows and Widows with Children”

 

M.S., The Ohio State University, 1978

College of Human Ecology, Family Relations and Human Development                         

Area of Specialization: Parent Education

Thesis: “Practical Education for Parenting: A Mothers’ Perceptions of Changes in Their Children’s Behavior”

 

B.S., Bowling Green State University, 1976

College of Education, Home Economics                                                                                   

 

 

3.  What do you think is the most pressing issue in the Worthington Schools?

 

The most pressing issue will be higher standards and sustaining quality with limited resources.  The renewal of the “No Child Left Behind” law seeks to ensure all children can read and do mathematics at grade level by 2014.  This will place new demands on Worthington Schools.  Furthermore, it may be difficult to communicate to community members that the schools may in fact be making progress, but fall short of the annual targets set by this federal legislation. 

 

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?

 

If selected as a board member and cuts in expenditures for the district were needed, I would rely on the voices of the community.  Hopefully there would be community forums or surveys to allow the public to provide input and ideas.  I would review the proposals and/or recommendations carefully analyzing and synthesizing the materials to determine the impact on the fewest number of people.  I would also critically review the cost benefit analyses and then make a decision based on what is best for all students and educators. 

 

I would seek to preserve the following areas.

  • Rigorous curricula
  • Quality teaching
  • Literacy programs to assist young children to read
  • Advanced placement courses
  • Professional development opportunities for teachers and administrators

 

5. If it were possible to add new programs to the district, what programs would you seek to add?

 

Due to the complexities in education; it is difficult to speculate what programs I would add because these decisions need to be data driven.  With the anticipated funding constraints and declining enrollment, it will be imperative to listen to the community and realign existing resources.  Perhaps restructuring programs to better serve students can be accomplished. 

 

If the voice of the community and data supported these programs; I would support programs such as recruitment of teachers who have earned National Board Certification, programs to improve reading, science and mathematics skills at all grade levels, programs to prepare all graduates for life after school, and programs in music and arts.

 

6.  What do you see as the impact of   “No Child Left Behind” on the Worthington Schools? What about the Ohio Core legislation?

 

No Child Left Behind

While “No Child Left Behind” has placed a strong emphasis for all districts to set academic priorities, focus on higher academic achievement for all students through standardized tests and “highly qualified” teachers in every classroom; the impact for Worthington is the financial constraints.  Meeting Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for all subgroups of students will have costly ramifications to provide tutors and the resources for every student to progress.

 

Ohio Core

The Ohio Core requirements beginning with the Class of 2014 increases requirements in the areas of mathematics, science, physical education, fine arts, and electives.  Worthington Schools will need to begin strategic planning now to successfully implement this legislation.  The legislation appears to be a costly challenge for the district to shift resources and provide quality teachers for the new “Ohio Core”.

 

7.  If selected, what do you see as your role in influencing state education laws and policies that affect the Worthington Schools?

 

If selected as a board member, I am willing to read pending legislation, review items and share ideas; however I need to be extremely cautious in this area because I am currently an employee of the Ohio Department of Education.  

 

8.  What do you see as the roles and responsibilities of a school board member?

 

The role of a school board member is to represent the interest of the voters and the Worthington community.  It is important for board members to reach out to businesses, education leaders, and to engage parents in a variety of strategic approaches.  Major responsibilities include the fiscal oversight of the district to assure appropriate expenditures, employing a superintendent and treasurer with integrity, and to communicate all decisions in a positive manner.  It is also critical to ensure excellence for the future of the district and support teachers, staff, and children.

 

A school board member also needs to critically review data from individual schools and the entire district to better understand how parts of the education system connect and align to be certain that strategic goals are being adequately met.  Further, a board member must listen to the education community and Worthington residents to serve as a sounding board for ideas and policy direction to the superintendent.  The board is responsible for helping make Ohio a great place to live and raise children.

 

9.  What evidence do you believe shows the Worthington Schools are adequately, or inadequately, preparing students for their lives after graduation? 

 

I reviewed the Worthington City School District’s 2005-2006 School Year Report Card to see assessment results over time and graduation rates.  Based on these indicators, Worthington School graduation rate exceeds the state requirement; however there are no longitudinal data of recent graduates to track how they perform following graduation.  Finding real evidence that measures preparation of students after graduation is extremely difficult unless longitudinal studies of graduates are completed.  

 

Anecdotal comments from families that I know and have talked with who have had students graduate from Worthington Schools are overwhelming positive.  Most people value the Worthington Schools and are extremely positive toward the educational system.  Many of the parents have had graduates enter colleges and universities (in Ohio and out of state) or enter the world of work.  Thus, these Worthington graduates appear to have been successful.