VOTER GUIDE – NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION WEST BLOOMFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT Tuesday, November 4, 2014 POLLS ARE OPEN 7:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M. LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OAKLAND AREA Website: www.lwvoa.org E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 248-594-6602 3 Candidates for School District Board Member for TWO 6-year terms CANDIDATES for SCHOOL BOARD TWO 6-year terms Vote for no more than TWO STACY GOLD BRICKMAN 7330 Village Square Drive West Bloomfield, MI 48322 Question 1 (150 Words or less): Please provide biographical information and explain why you are running for School Board and relevant qualities and skills you would bring to the position that you are running for. Question 2 (150 Words or less): What are the top three (3) Priority Issues facing your school district and what actions would you take to address them if elected to the school board? Lifelong county resident, married, mother of 3 students, former VP Merchandising/Operations at Drapery Boutique, Inc. I look at every challenge as an opportunity to do amazing things. After volunteering for 13 years throughout WBSD, I am ready to take an active role on the board to enhance and highlight our schools and our community. WBSD Finance Committee- 6th year, School Enrollment & Facilities committee, Co- chair successful Millage Renewal, Executive Producer/OLMS Musical Theatre, Operations Chair/Strategic Planning, other WBSD/WBEF committee work, originator/chair of nine “Fun Runs”, former PTO president; regularly attend school board meetings/study sessions. Treasurer, State Representative Candidate Committee campaign. My volunteering has given me a solid knowledge of the issues that affect our schools, our district, and public education in Michigan. I have participated on committees that have made difficult strategic decisions. I value the relationships I have built with teachers, staff, administrators, parents, and students. I am driven by a passion to build pride and community throughout West Bloomfield. (1) Declining Enrollment Even our non-resident students who chose WBSD cannot make up for fewer schoolage children in Oakland county. I will support revolutionary educational programs to attract students. I will promote careful monitoring of student retention so our Kindergarteners stay through graduation. We need a comprehensive marketing program to attract prospective residents to our incredible schools/community. (2) Strengthening Community • Honor ideas from teachers/staff to improve the quality of the work environment, improve communication, and directly enhance students’ education. • Engage our families as essential participants for success during challenging transition. • Focus on collaboration and instill a spirit of mutual respect within the school board. (3) Funding Although Lansing ultimately controls education funding, I will be relentless at spending every dollar wisely. I will continue to advocate for the best interests of WBSD with Legislators. Copyright League of Women Voters Oakland Area 2014 Page 1 of 3 Published by the League of Women Voters Education Fund WEST BLOOMFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT (Continued) CANDIDATES for SCHOOL BOARD TWO 6-year terms Vote for no more than TWO CRISTINA ELSEN 1497 Beachland Blvd. Keego Harbor, MI 48320 Question 1 (150 Words or less): Please provide biographical information and explain why you are running for School Board and relevant qualities and skills you would bring to the position that you are running for. Question 2 (150 Words or less): What are the top three (3) Priority Issues facing your school district and what actions would you take to address them if elected to the school board? I am a mother of 4 beautiful children. When we moved to Michigan and bought our home, we chose to purchase in the West Bloomfield School District based upon the programs available, the county ranking and the diverse community that mirrors the world. I chose to get involved in district organizations such as the West Bloomfield Educational Foundation, Blessings in a Backpack and the Keego Harbor Optimist Club, which all focus on supporting kids in different ways. As an Office Manager and Medical Biller, managing an office of over 20 therapists/doctors and having a Master in Arts in Public Service and Urban Administration, I professionally and educationally possess key components in working and understanding many different types of people. My passion for children, my educational background and my profession with dealing with large finances makes me empathetic and qualified to represent the best interest of the kids. The top 3 priority issues facing the WBSD are decreasing student enrollment, managing a balanced budget and the decreasing funds coming from the State of Michigan. One way I would like to focus on the decreasing enrollment is by introducing a S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) program for the 1st through 8th grades. This program will help attract young families to move into our district, as the Magnet Program and WBSD Advanced Classes/AP classes has. My vision is to see the STEAM program available to any appropriate grade level student already in the district, and not to first year choice students. I would also like to closely review the Administrative positions within the District to ensure that all cuts made are balanced. between the teaching staff and Administration. Lastly, I will be a political advocate in Lansing and represent the WBSD and our needs to our Representatives. Copyright League of Women Voters Oakland Area 2014 Page 2 of 3 Published by the League of Women Voters Education Fund WEST BLOOMFIELD SCHOOL DISTRICT (Continued) CANDIDATES for SCHOOL BOARD TWO 6-year terms Vote for no more than TWO RAMAN SINGH 6088 Oaktrail Drive West Bloomfield, MI 48322 Question 1 (150 Words or less): Please provide biographical information and explain why you are running for School Board and relevant qualities and skills you would bring to the position that you are running for. Question 2 (150 Words or less): What are the top three (3) Priority Issues facing your school district and what actions would you take to address them if elected to the school board? As a 25 year West Bloomfield resident, a wife and mother of two sons, I have always been active in the WBSD. I served PTOs, the WB Educational Foundation, WB Strategic Planning Committee and others. It was a sound foundation for the WB School Board, where I have served since 2010, when the district faced a budget deficit. The entire district – Board, Administration and employees worked to bring the district out of deficit in one year. My Board committee experience includes Curriculum Council, Technology Integration, Policy and Facilities Usage. I have owned a Kumon Center for 10 years, so I have a unique blend of knowledge of curriculum and operating a profitable business. I look forward to serving a 2nd term to see the recent efforts continue to bear fruit and to use my experience to help the District and each student be the best in and for the world. School financing is the primary challenge as long as the State continues to inadequately fund public schools. I worked with the Building Site and Sinking Fund and the 2009 Bond Committee to help the passage of these revenue sources. I will continue to lobby our legislators for more local control over school funding. Further, we must continue to empower educators with appropriate technology and curriculum tools, as we did when we introduced Chromebooks for each student to help facilitate state of the art teaching and learning. We must continue to offer more Advanced Placement classes than most other districts, have intervention plans for struggling students, and appropriate rigor for everyone in between. We must continue to be data and research driven; tools like Mastery Manager support this. Our district is sometimes underestimated and I will continue to work to align the perceptions to the reality of our extraordinary schools. The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan national organization whose purpose is to promote political responsibility through informed and active participation of citizens in government. The League never supports or opposes any candidate or political party. Candidate responses are included as submitted and have not been edited except in cases where the replies have exceeded the stated word limitations. Spelling and Grammar were not corrected. The inclusion of candidates’ statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and in no way is to be construed as an endorsement by the League of Women Voters which takes no responsibility for any views or facts stated by the candidates. Copyright League of Women Voters Oakland Area 2014 Page 3 of 3 Published by the League of Women Voters Education Fund