(1) Previous Experience

My longstanding interest in public schools is indicated by completing a Secondary Education degree at U.W. Madison in 1968. I did not take a teaching position in the public schools, but I did advise students going into high school teaching and kept in close touch with teaching requirements and standards. I have been active in community affairs since moving to Madison in 1961. I am trained in research methods and will be thorough in examining data and reviewing issues. I served on the League of Women Voters education committee. Our three children are products of Madison public schools.

(2) Current Issues

a) I want to see that we maintain our high scholastic standards and help all the children in our system reach these standards.

b) We must address the shortfall in the budget for school maintenance. There is a plan to set priorities for maintenance, but the current budget is not adequate to meet critical needs, and a referendum will be needed. We must not add to property taxes to fix this problem, but look for the broadest community base to fill this need, for the good of the community.

c) I want to eliminate harassment and make all children feel valued and secure in our schools. We have growing diversity in our community. That should make us proud of our differences and of the fact we are one human family - different colors, language backgrounds, orientations, family structures, etc. We must have the best library resources and curriculum materials to promote understanding of differences.

(3) Past Issues

a) I would have supported the teachers more quickly in the last contract, and would have been more open to compromise to have averted that too-long contract negotiation.

b) I would not have agreed to a referendum until I had total leadership from the Board. My opponent opposed the last referendum. It failed. Today there is a maintenance crisis.