Persona! information: (Please include any information you would like to potentially share with our members such as whether or not you have children or grandchildren or connections with education, as well as clubs, community service and other leadership positions of interest. Attach separate information sheet if necessary.)
I always had a love of learning but I realize not every kid wants to double up on sciences instead of taking a study hall.
Fun Facts; I was part of a progressive newspaper (editorial staff/ cartoonist) and I used to be part of the Triton Troopers Circus
Have you ever taught, or do you have relatives who teach? Who? Where?
One of my wife's conditions was that we continue home-schooling the kids as her ex insisted. So I home school. Also her bestie was a teacher of the year nom.
1. ln May 2007, the Missouri Supreme Court decided that public employees could bargain collectively, but left specifics open to interpretation by the Legislature. Should traditional bargaining practices such as strikes,
exclusive representation and binding arbitration be part of public employee bargaining for teachers?
Strikes- support
exclusive representation-
Binding arbitration- Oppose
I left exclusive representation open because I support the district by district voting for representation but I'm open to other solutions to strengthen negotiations for teachers
2. ln the past, bills have been introduced in the Missouri Legislature to establish vouchers, tuition tax credits
and tuition tax deductions for parents who choose to educate their children in private schools. What is your
position on these issues?
Vouchers-oppose
Tuition Tax Credits-oppose
Tuition Tax Deductions-oppose
These vouchers seem like a tax break for people who can already afford private school. I might be open to an exception for low income families but I would need some evidence that the private school is more than a status symbol
3. Open enrollment allows students to attend any public school in Missouri, including schools outside their home school district. Would you support legislation allowing open enrollment in Missouri?
Oppose
I would support a limited open enrollment in such cases as districts with overcrowding. My concern is that some parents will use open enrollment to avoid exposing their children to diversity and create a throwback to separate but equal.
4. Charter schools are limited by statute to operate only within Kansas City and St. Louis School Districts. Would you support changing charter school legislation to allow for charter schools statewide?
Support though my goal is to make all schools more like charter schools and take it even beyond that.
All sectors (of the U.S. economy) are counting on Americans to be innovators but don't want to allow children to have teachers that are innovators as role models.
I want to see independent entrepreneurs not just worker drones
5. Career Ladder is a program that allows teachers in participating school districts to earn stipends for work done beyond regular classroom duties including student tutoring, parent contact, professional development, and mentoring. The stipends are paid with funds from both the state and the local school district and range from$1500 to $5000 based on the number of hours worked and the teacher's level of education. Due to budget shortfalls, the state hasn't funded Career Ladder since 2010. Do you support the Career Ladder Program?
I support but understand the reality of the budget. Funding has recently been cut for services for the blind for example. Ladder is a low priority but I would seek guarantees for the program to continue once revenues are increased.
6. Teacher salaries are paid based on years of experience and the teacher's level of education (bachelors,
master, doctorate, etc.) Do you support this method of paying teachers?
Support
I would also support consideration for teachers of special needs. Specifically where behavior is an issue. This is what the military calls hazard pay.
7. ln Missouri, teachers are granted tenure in their sixth consecutive year of working in a single school district.Tenure grants teachers due process in the event they are terminated. Do you support due process for
teachers?
Support
My understanding is that the problem isn't due process- it's that principals don't want to go through the hassle of firing teachers that deserve it.
8. Currently the State Board of Education consists of eight lay members. A change has been proposed for the Board to be made up of nine members: six lay members, one active superintendent, one active principal an done active classroom teacher. Do you support allowing practicing educators to serve on the State Board of Education?
Support
As long as there is a mechanism to control overt conflicts of interest
9. lf elected, what (if any) would be among the first bills you would sponsor or cosponsor?
Education Bill:
If the "Don't Say Gay" or "intelligent Design" bills are passed before I take office I will sponsor their repeal
Non-Education Bill:
Because I expect Democrats to still be in the minority and I don't know what the zeitgeist will be in January, I can't say for certain, but marriage equality and decriminalize/deprioritieze marijuana are on the wish list.
10. lf elected. what would be your committee assignment preference?
General Laws, Elections, Utilities, and Elementary & Secondary education
11. What do you believe is the number one issue facing Missourians?
The Economy. That is a little generic only because issues such as jobs, health care, and foreclosure are so intertwined.
12. What do you believe is the number one issue facing education?
Ultimately the goal of education has become to prep kids for the workforce. I think this is misguided. The goal should be to make kids able to go into business for themselves. Not only is this a more ambitious philosophy it reflects a post-etsy/post-kickstarter generation.
Any Additional Comments:
I am an idea generator, and as my understanding of the challenges of education deepens, the amount of solutions I throw out there will grow exponentially. http://www.electladendorf.us
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