![]() ![]() About Susan E. Walsh
If elected, would you support implementing a district policy for drug testing for school board members, teachers and administrators?
The drug testing policy for students was a most difficult decision. Given the fact that we (as a school district) have some parental supervision responsibilities for students who are traveling and and our litigious society I voted for the current policy. The most compelling testimony came from a number of students I surveyed that said to me that it would help them resist drug use.I would hope as community that we can address this problem from many different aspects ,this would just be a sliver of the piece needed to fix the problem. As for teachers,administrators as employers I believe there is already a "just cause" policy in place.I can only speak for myself and will gladly submit to drug testing-if anyone else wishes to pay for the test.
Question #2 For School Board Candidates: Published Tuesday - September 10, 2002 - 7:00 pm Do you think the KGBSD needs to develop a better way for providing their annual "Report Card To The Public"? If so, what delivery method would you support as the best way to ensure that this information is easily accessible for public review as well as understandable?
Communication seems to be a chronic problem, not only with the school district. Sending reports home with children is one option-however I remember finding them on occasion at the bottom of the pack with raisins and rocks-not the best but after inquiring as to the day they were sent I could make sure that I searched for the remains. Making an effort to let the PTA's know what the heck is going on-either through the council (which has representatives from each school) or sending a report for their monthly meetings. Encouraging citizens to participate on a regular basis-before a crisis mode is needed. How about a quarterly "town hall"meeting? Any ideas from the public would be appreciated -i know i don't have all the answers that's for sure.
Question #3 For School Board Candidates: Published Tuesday - September 10, 2002 - 7:00 pm With less funding and the likely need to further cut services, what services would you reduce or cut first? Question #4 For School Board Candidates: Published Tuesday - September 10, 2002 - 7:00 pm What is the most serious challenge facing the school district and how would you address this challenge?
I think Questions #3&4 are linked. I believe that we as a state need to look at our children's education. This state has seen a steady decline in competitive teacher salary, higher PTR etc. We are deluding ourselves if we think we can get by without a state income tax -if nothing else to support education. We need to lobby the state for more monies along with the Federal government allocating more for our children nation wide. I as one board member can't add or cut anything. I would like to see a "program based" budgeting approach. This requires working with the public,teachers and administrators as opposed to our current roll over budget approach. It would give the community a sense of what we have to work with and what we are attempting to maintain. I would whole heartedly support a two year forward funding cycle approach that would give the board at least some idea of what we had to work with as far as funds go. The current mode is that in March we get to sit down with a hazy crystal ball and attempt to project how many children will be attending school in 6months, where they might wish to go to school and then allocate resources. This of course leads to much distress every Sept. when 29 children show up at kindergarten with only one teacher. No counselors available etc. I think the most serious challenge we face is trust. We as a community can't work together if we lack trust in our neighbor. One of the most refreshing revelations while working on the strategic plan years ago, was to see a diverse group of people come together to attempt to solve some of the problems we are facing. We need to trust each other that together we can solve a lot of issues that don't require a lot of money-just team spirit.
Question # 5 For All Candidates: Published Wednesday - September 18, 2002 - 7:40 pm During the interviews of the school board candidates on KRBD, the issue of violence in our schools was brought up as a reason that some parents are seeking alternatives to education other than public schools. I'm concerned about the level of abuse that seems to occur in the schools and wonder what thoughts the school board and borough candidates have about adopting a policy of zero tolerance in our schools for any form of abuse including verbal as well as physical and sexual.
Actually the questions aired on KRBD were from a forum at the Chamber of Commerce lunch last week-there will be a call-in forum on Tuesday the 24th at 7pm.(225-9655) That out of the way I'll address the question. I too am concerned with the amount of abuse that seems to occur in the schools and have attempted to make myself visible in the schools-easier when the children were shorter than myself. I would like to see counselors re-instated. Yes, it's far easier to just say 3 strikes and your out (or zero) but society will have to deal with these children now or as adults. I've always been an advocate for preventative medicine and our conflict resolution program started years ago made terrific gains in demonstrating to children early on how they can manage their frustrations. Many of these children come from homes that you or I can't imagine-presuming that you emailed us this question on your home computer many don't even have a phone.I would like to see physical education reinstated-not only to address our sky rocketing nation wide obesity issue but the pent up energy that the growing body needs to expend in a constructive manner. No one problem comes with one " end all "solution. We as a community need to help each other-Mama always said "Many hands make light work."
Question #6 For School Board Candidates: Published Thursday - September 19, 2002 - 2:30 pm Why do you think there has been an increase in the number of parents who are choosing to home school their children in Ketchikan?
There are a number of reasons
for this. I have interviewed some parents who choose to do this
and some reasons given are: safety, religious convictions, continuity
(being transferred soon), last of the "babies" at home
etc. I would like to meet with more parents and see if the district
could address their concerns if their only reason was something
that the district could address. However, if they wish to home
school I"m glad that option is given.
Question #7 For School Board Candidates: Published Thursday - September 19, 2002 - 2:30 pm There are currently 5 public elementary schools (includes the Charter School) and 4 private elementary schools. Do you think Ketchikan needs another elementary charter school to provide school choice?
As alluded to in question 6,
it seems like there is a increasing need to fill the demand.
I sat on the board when we permitted the first charter school
it did not preclude further charter schools. If there is a demand
for change then let us work together towards that goal.
Question # 8 For All Candidates: Published Thursday - September 19, 2002 - 2:30 pm Our community focuses on the importance of 'Youth Asset Building' - I would like to know that our elected officials set a good example. Have any of the candidates been charged for any serious violations of the law other than for minor traffic tickets.
No, I hope every member of this community would set a good example for our children. If any canidate had been convicted of violating the law in the past I would hope that the citizens would judge that person on actions of today.
Question # 9 For All Candidates: Published Sunday - September 22, 2002 -3:50 pm Would you recommend to all the citizens of Ketchikan that they support building a bridge to Gravina? If so, what would you say to community members about the short-term and long-term benefits to the community as a whole? If you support building a bridge, will you or your family personally benefit monetarily from bridge construction or do you or your family own property on Gravina?
I would recommend to all citizens
of Ketchikan to become critical thinkers, studying the pros and
cons of the bridge and make their own decision. The school board
does not have any input into this decision - the people do.
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