|
| Affiliation | Democratic |
|
| Name | Stephanie Groce |
| Address | 4303 Stinson Drive W.
Columbus, Ohio , United States |
| Email | None |
| Website | [Link] |
| Born |
00, 1968
(56 years)
|
| Contributor | Thomas Walker |
| Last Modifed | Thomas Walker
Oct 09, 2007 12:22am |
| Tags |
Married - Catholic -
|
| Info | A vice president of consumer research with Saperstein Associates.
Age: 39
Residence: 4303 Stinson Drive W., Columbus
Web site: [Link]
Occupation: vice president, Consumer and Professional Research, Saperstein Associates Inc.
Education: bachelor's degree in English education and master's in quantitative research, evaluation and measurement in education, both from Ohio State University
Experience: school-board member since being appointed in February 2006; has conducted research on educational topics; member of advisory council for North Broadway Children's Center
Family: married, daughter at Winterset Elementary
Religion: Catholic
Why she's running
As a parent, I know how important it is to have high-quality schools. Now that the district has made continuous improvement (on the state report card), it is time to take it to the next level and accelerate the progress. I have a unique combination of education and experience that will help move the district forward.
Have you run for public office before?
No. My service on the board is a destination, not a temporary stop. When I applied for the vacant seat, I did so because I believe in the importance of education to our community.
What are the three biggest issues?
• Expand the number of high-performing schools;
• Improve the climate in our schools;
• Get a handle on some of our large operational budgets that are pulling dollars away from the classroom
What makes you the best candidate to address those issues?
I know how to use data to help organizations improve. I have extensive experience in educational research, specifically. As a parent, I have a unique perspective on what's going on in the schools and how our decisions impact students and families.
What do you hope to accomplish?
I hope to accelerate the academic improvement of the district, improve the learning climate in our buildings and instill pride and confidence in the district throughout the community.
Financial issues
Should the Columbus school district continue to hold spending increases to 3 percent a year?
It is very important to me that the district keep the promises it makes to the community. We should have a spending cap. I don't know if 3 percent is the right number. Our resources should be allocated based on priorities and increases in our expenditures should be in line with the overall economy. Moreover, we may want to consider a percentage that could be averaged over a multiple-year period. This would allow us to react more quickly to changes in enrollment or legislation that impact our revenues and expenditures.
In what areas should the district reduce spending? In what areas should it invest more money?
The district should always look first at reductions that do not directly impact our students. The district should invest in professional development, and in attracting and retaining the best teachers and principals. Having strong building leadership and highly qualified teachers is critical to improving academic achievement and the learning climate.
The district might ask taxpayers to approve an operating levy and a bond issue in the next couple of years. Should the district seek these and should they be on the same ballot?
The district should seek an operating levy. Many parents want us to restore the school day. Our children will benefit by spending more time in school, not less. The decision to go forward with a bond levy should be part of a strategic plan that addresses declining enrollment and how that impacts current and future facilities. In these tough economic times, I would be reluctant to put two issues before voters at one time unless I knew there was strong community support for this.
Did the district close the right number of schools, too many or too few? Should closed schools be sold or should the district keep those properties for future use?
Some of our schools are underenrolled while others are overcrowded and have waiting lists. The number of schools we close and build should be based on a long-term strategic plan that addresses declining enrollment. We should avoid closing a small number of buildings every few years. That is too disruptive for our students, families, and staff. Some of the properties should be sold. Those buildings that are not sold should be leased.
Should nonclassroom operations, such as food services and busing, be privatized?
Privatization should be an option. Our core competency is education. As a district, we do not realize the same economies of scale and operational efficiencies as companies that provide these services as part of their core competencies.
Climate/competitive issues
How can the district improve student discipline? Would uniforms help, and should they be mandated?
Student discipline will improve when building principals and teachers are empowered to make decisions and those decisions are supported by the administration. Uniforms will help in some schools, but only if the policy is consistently enforced.
How can the district better compete with charter schools?
The district can compete with charter schools by improving school climate and customer service, and by providing more individual attention to students. We can compete by offering more school choices that parents want, and are on wait lists to enroll their children.
Should the district create more alternative programs and/or charter schools? What kind?
Yes. Columbus should strive to offer its residents a portfolio of high-performing, innovative schools. We need to partner with high-performing, nontraditional schools such as the Graham School (a charter school), the Metro School (a countywide school that emphasizes math and science), and KIPP (a planned charter school that focuses on at-risk neighborhoods). Parents recognize that education is not one-size-fits-all.
Do residents trust Columbus City Schools? What should the district do to improve its public image?
Many residents trust Columbus City Schools, as evidenced by the more than 50,000 students we serve; however, we have to do a better job of earning more widespread trust. The best way to improve our image is to improve our schools.
[Link] |
 | BOOKS |
 |
|
| Title |
Purchase |
Contributor |
|
| Start Date |
End Date |
Type |
Title |
Contributor |
|
| Date |
Category |
Headline |
Article |
Contributor |
|
| INFORMATION LINKS |
|
|
|
