Jordan Independent - Questions for Jordan School Board candidates - Comments

That is a good question

Tammy Will — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 06:41:19 -0500

That is a good question Jason. I can't answer it quickly as it would take some research. I guess it's been too many years for me because I can't remember how it was back in my elementary days. I do know that part of the blame for less Phy. Ed. time can be put on the major changes in cirriculum over the years. You always hear how school is so much harder for our kids than it was for us. I suspect academics are to blame for squeezing out some Phy. Ed. time. I did a little on-line research and found that there are many elementary schools (middle & high schools too!) across the country that do not even offer Phy. Ed. The reasons in each article I found were due to increased pressure on academics. Federal and State standards are the driving force behind less time for other programs. However, I do believe Jordan has done a good job of working to keep as much of it in all three schools as they can while still meeting accountability standards for academics.

Tammy Will

I personally think that

Kim Busse — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 10:01:51 -0500

I personally think that Jordan is doing a great job providing healthy meals and snacks for it's students. I personally have enjoyed that lunches when I was a staff member with MRVSEC. I get excited for my daughter when there are certain lunches offered. Having worked in several districts I have had the opportunity to see many school lunches and I think many schools are making changes in a healthy direction. I do feel that healthy decisions in school are only a small piece of the apple. Our community and families are major contributors and very influencial in living a healthy lifestyle. I know that there is some initiative in this direction, but maybe more needs to be done to involve the community and families in promoting healthy lifestyles.

Change happens and is a part

Kim Busse — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 09:51:23 -0500

Change happens and is a part of life. I say this often in my job as an Autism Specialist. It may not always be easy or happen without some bumps, but it happens. I think that Jordan has been blessed with some great leaders and I think that there are other great leaders ready to take on the next challenges. I think that change can be very good and often brings renewed strength and energy. Change can also be scary. Fears can be calmed when people are informed and have all the information they need to make the best decision. I have confidence that the board will involve the key people including families, community members, administaration, staff, etc. in order to find the best match for our district. I am excited to find out more about the process and how I can be involved as a parent, candidate and community member.

I don't think there is an

Kim Busse — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 09:38:53 -0500

I don't think there is an easy way to answer these questions. I heard what Mr. Benko and the board had to say in September and as an outsider I really don't feel I have enough information to make a valid decision. To some this may appear as the easy way out, but unless I have all the facts I don't feel it is fair for me to pass judgment on what has been going on. I think there are many rumors and inaccurate truths about what is and has been happening between Mr. Benko and Mrs. Decorsey. To be honest I think it should not be taken up in a public forum. In regards to the comments that Mr. Benko made regarding the operations of the board it sounds like and appeared that there are some issues that need to be addressed. However, without being a major part of all the meetings, discussions and dynamics I can not comment on what needs to happen next. I can say that if I were on the board I would hope to work with the other board mambers to make the best and most informed decisions regarding matters related to our schools, children and community.

In regards to the question about Mr. Benko not being on committees, it is hard for me to respond. I hope that all board members are given fair treatment. I do not have first hand experience with the dynamics of the board so I can not make an informed decision. I will say that it kind of shocked me when I heard what had happened as I think others in the community were shocked. I would hope that the borad can figure out a way to use each others talents within the various committees.

One way we could add in phy

jlh4u — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 07:45:51 -0500

One way we could add in phy ed every day without taking away from our children's other school activities would be to not dismiss children at 2:30-3:00. There is a half an hour everyday that is totally wasted time. Our children should be in school, yet we start dismissing this early in order to get everyone out of the school by 3:00. I really think this extra half an hour could be better utilized. Perhaps we dismiss at 3:00 and add more buses to our routes and then our children could have phy ed classes on a daily basis. Has that ever been discussed? I would like to know.

Tammy, It's been a few years

Jason Allen — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 09:58:19 -0500

Tammy,

It's been a few years since I have been in elementary school, but for some reason I do remember having phy-ed everyday. Maybe I am wrong, but I think we did.

If we did I would be curious on how they did it back then.

We don't get advanced

Tammy Will — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 09:52:38 -0500

We don't get advanced information when a new family moves in to the district so it's difficult to get to them before they stop in to the schools to see us. When they do stop in, we are able to provide them with a brochure that showcases all three schools in the district. Our school office gives them all the pertinent school information they need. Once they attend orientation, prior to the start of school, there is a wealth of information provided to them. If a family moves into the district during the school year, they are also provided with the same information. Is there more we could do? I suspect so, however, I have not heard from any parents in the district regarding this topic. Before I could answer what we could do; I would like more information on what areas need improvement. If there are any parents who have comments to share, please feel free to contact me.

Tammy Will

I absolutly agree with you

Tammy Will — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 09:16:13 -0500

I absolutly agree with you Jason, as do most people. However, the problem we run into is if we give all 5 days each week to Phy. Ed., where do we take that time from? Music? Art? The school day/week is full. To add to one program means you have to take away from another. When I was new to the Board and this topic came up, I was fully supportive of trying to get more Phy. Ed. back into the school week, until I learned that another program would have to suffer. This is why I appreciate both the Elementary and Middle School promoting recess. At least there is an extra added portion of time for the kids to get out and burn some energy.

Tammy Will

The one event that comes to

dhelke — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 20:27:40 -0500

The one event that comes to mind as a way the district is currently being inclusive of new residents is Celebrate Jordan held in the spring. It not only provides new residents a chance to get in the schools, but a wealth of information about the community they live in. The improvements made to the district’s website have also made that a more valuable tool to new residents to get information about the district. However, it has not been used so far to showcase district happenings, highlight programs, celebrate accomplishments, or disseminate newsworthy items. The absence of those things could make people not “in” the schools already wonder whether there is much of value going on in the district. The last piece of district news on the website is the failed levy referendum in 2006. I have said on a number of occasions there are great things happening in the Jordan schools and my own personal experiences with my children have proven that. Those are the things that need to be in the news. There have been improvements made in the area of communication, but communication is so much more than just getting information out to people. It is about listening and responding to needs and involving people in the decision-making process. Improvements in these areas will help all members of the community feel more included.

Dave Helke
Candidate for Jordan School Board
www.helkeforschoolboard.com

Just a comment here, as I am

Jason Allen — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 17:02:08 -0500

Just a comment here, as I am not running for school board, but figured that those that are running would see it here.

As far as the obesity question.....I would love to see the K-4th grade be able to have Phy-ed 5 times a week. Right now I believe they still flip-flop days. Phy-Ed at that age is a very important part.

I believe that the district

Bob Vollbrecht — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 16:51:35 -0500

I believe that the district already does a good job in attempting to include new residents, particularly those with school-aged children. All new residents get a complimentary copy of the JI in which the school does a nice job of announcing activities and other information. As I have mentioned during board meetings, I think the district does a very good job of communicating with the people that want to hear what we have to say. Reaching disinterested parties is another story. All three schools host community-based events in an attempt to make our schools more accessible and a vital part of the community and will continue to do so. It is a goal of the board to continue to find ways to improve its communication with the taxpayers. I believe that the board has made significant advancements in these areas and will continue to look for ways to improve.

The Jordan school district

dhelke — Wed, 17 Oct 2007 11:18:58 -0500

The Jordan school district has been doing an exemplary job in this area (food program). As Bob mentions, there has been some very positive publicity and recognition of the unique initiatives at the elementary school. In fact, I believe that articles about both the healthy snack cart and the backpacks on weekends have appeared in area newspapers, including the Star Tribune.

As a school board member I would not see myself, or the school board as a whole, trying to manage the specifics of the food program. The district hires food service workers with the knowledge and skills in this area to make sure that guidelines are followed, that the program operates within budget, and that families are satisfied with the product. The school board sets policy and provides direction, but lets the employees of the district handle the daily operations.

I cannot think of any reason for substantial improvements to the food program, but I am sure there are always things that could be done to make it a bit better. One of the school board’s primary responsibilities is to establish the culture of the school district. As a board member I would work hard to create a culture in the district that values continuously finding ways to improve what is done.

Should you be elected for

Mathias Baden — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:43:36 -0500

Should you be elected for the upcoming school board term, what would you do to make Jordan Public Schools more inclusive to residents who are new to the area?

(Mathias Baden is the editor of the Jordan Independent. He can be reached at editor@jordannews.com.)

Since the beginning of my

Tammy Will — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 14:03:55 -0500

Since the beginning of my term, nearly 4 years ago, this topic has surfaced many times. I feel strongly that kids not only need to be served nutritious foods throughout the school day, but that they also need to balance that with physical activity.

Recess has always been part of the Elementary school day. Mr. Chambers has ensured that it be part of the Middle school's day as well. Prior to having the playground at the middle school, recess equipment was made available to the kids. I feel it is important to keep Phy. Ed. part of the curriculum and am happy to see it continue well into the high school years.

Mrs. DeCorsey has been a leader in the district when it comes to healthy foods served at school. Her initiative to start the healthy snack program and now the Blessings in a Backpack Program are innovative and a true benefit to our kids.

Do I think we are doing enough to provide students with healthy breakfasts and lunches? Yes. I believe we’ve gone above and beyond based on my statements above.

Would I improve the schools' food program? Not having eaten a school lunch in Jordan since 1983, it's hard to say. When I review the current lunch menus, I can see it has changed quite a bit over the years. Improved? Definitely! I appreciate the options kids are given today; potato bar, salad bar, soup, etc. We never had those choices. They're all healthy too! Can it be improved? I would imagine so. Isn't there always room for improvement in any area of our kid's lives? But we have to keep in mind; the majority of our kids are not going to eat tofu and granola all day, no matter how much we might like them to. I think the district does a good job of offering a variety of foods, balanced nutrition, and encouraging a healthy, active lifestyle.

Tammy Will

I agree with Bob's answer

Tammy Will — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 08:27:28 -0500

I agree with Bob's answer completely. I hate to piggy back and take the easy way out but I would be repeating his comments in my own response. The only thing I can add is that with our current financial strains on the budget, it would be irresponsible for the Board to hire a consulting firm to find a Superintendent. This can cost tens of thousand of dollars. We don't have that kind of money to spend. As Bob stated, we already have the experience and knowledge on our current board and/or new board to hire a qualified replacement. That is not to say that Larry will be easy to replace. It will take much time and careful consideration.

I, for one, will miss Ira's leadership on the Board. Again, not to repeat what Bob said because I agree with his comments. Ira has set a good example for the next board to follow. There is no question in my mind that there is a well-qualified chairperson waiting to step up and take the challenge of leading the board into this next challenging year.

Tammy Will

Questions for Jordan School Board candidates

Brandon — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 11:01:05 -0500