The Future of Thomas H. Benton Elementary School

Benton parents seek autonomy for school

By ROGER MCKINNEY

Tuesday, February 10, 2015 

Six parents on Monday asked the Columbia Board of Education to make Benton Elementary an autonomous school focused on science, technology, engineering and math — or STEM — education.

Other Benton parents filled many of the chairs in the meeting room at the Columbia Public Schools Administration Building.

The idea of small, autonomous schools was first presented to the board in 2010. Ridgeway, Lee and Benton elementary schools were targeted to gain a degree of autonomy, with their own governing boards and bylaws.

All three are magnet schools, meaning parents from anywhere in the school district can apply for their children to attend them.

Ridgeway in 1972 became an individually guided education, or IGE, magnet school. Rather than using traditional grade levels, students are placed in instructional groups based on their skill level in a subject area.

The structure results in mixed grades of students and some advanced students learning on their own. Ridgeway became autonomous in 2012.

Lee in 2013-14 transitioned into an autonomous school focusing on expressive arts education. It became a magnet school in 1990.

Benton is targeted to focus on STEM education, but its autonomy has not moved forward. It became a magnet school in 2011.

Benton parents said the benefits of autonomy include smoother integration of STEM education into the curriculum and easier cooperation among teachers on lesson plans. The school also could apply for small grants on its own, they said.

Terra Merriweather-Schultz, Benton parent-teacher association president, said autonomy would allow teachers to design areas of study and provide flexibility with student assessments and grants.

“We are asking the board to take the next step,” Merriweather-Schultz said.

Kathleen Burns said she has children in third and first grades at Benton.“We can’t imagine our kids being at any other school,” Burns said. “I’ve seen such amazing things for my kids.”

She said granting autonomy would boost their achievement.

“I feel like Benton has so much potential that could really, truly be realized if Benton could be allowed to become an autonomous school,” Burns said.  Dustin Frieda is a vocal music teacher at Benton. He said STEM has made a positive difference in the school and the outlook of teachers.

“We believe in Benton and want a chance to move STEM forward,” Frieda said.

The school’s 2014 Annual Performance Report from the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shows Benton earning 62.5 percent of possible points, including 75 percent of possible points in science and 37.5 percent in math.

In the 2013 report, Benton earned 25 percent of possible points, none of them in science or math.

Superintendent Peter Stiepleman did not commit to granting autonomy to the school after the meeting, but said the support of the parents was great.

Michelle Baumstark, CPS spokeswoman, said in an email that implementing a focused curriculum at Benton takes time and creating an autonomous school is an even bigger shift.

“I don’t think anyone is saying never; just not yet,” Baumstark said. “There is still much to do and fine-tune with STEM.”

Work Stops at Lange Middle School

Contractor leaves CPS in quandary on Lange project

By ROGER MCKINNEY

Monday, February 9, 2015 

Completion of a kitchen expansion at Lange Middle School by the start of the 2015-16 school year is in question after the contractor stopped working and has not returned phone calls from school district officials.

Michelle Baumstark, Columbia Public Schools spokeswoman, said J.C. Industries of Jefferson City had the contract for the $1.8 million project to expand the kitchen at Lange.

“Work slowed about two weeks ago, but there were still people working,” Baumstark said. “The early part of last week, work stopped completely.”

She said CPS Chief Financial Officer Linda Quinley tried unsuccessfully to contact company officials.

Company officials did not respond to a phone message seeking comment or an email from the Tribune on Monday morning.

The Lange project was part of a $50 million bond issue approved by voters in 2012. The district also plans to use the kitchen to serve an early childhood center set to open next to the school in 2017.

Baumstark said there were some weather days built into the contract, but it’s unknown now if the project can be completed on schedule if a new contractor can be found quickly.

She said the district has paid the contractor about $150,000 for some dirt and concrete work.

“We don't pay for work that hasn't been done,” Baumstark said. “We're not out any money.”

She said payment and performance bonds are backed by a surety company, a requirement for government bonds. The surety company will select a contractor to complete the project.

“They're going to be doing the legwork,” Baumstark said. She said the surety company also will make sure subcontractors are paid for their work.

J.C. Industries had the low bid on the project. The company had already completed a project for the district — the $1.1 million transportation bus barn.

Baumstark said that location has been open for nearly a year without problems.

The J.C. Industries website lists completed projects including the Jefferson City Animal Shelter, an elementary school and a stadium renovation in Jefferson City. The company completed intersection improvements for the city of Columbia in 2009.

Sophie Dubbels, senior administrative support assistant in the city’s finance department, said she could not immediately provide information about current projects or recent contracts between J.C. Industries and the city.

Melinda Bobbitt, Boone County purchasing director, said the county has no current or recent contracts with J.C. Industries.

“This is just a headache that we'll have to work through to make right and get the project back on track,” Baumstark said.

Come to the CPS Board Meeting Tomorrow Night!

Every second Monday of the Month, the Columbia Public School (CPS) conducts its open board meeting at 1818 West Worley St., beginning at 6:30 p.m.  CMNEA invites ALL members to attend, learn what is happening in our district, and bond with fellow members. Below is the agenda:

COLUMBIA BOARD OF EDUCATION                                 AGENDA

By ROGER MCKINNEY

Sunday, February 8, 2015 at 11:19 am

The Columbia Board of Education will meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday at 1818 W. Worley St.

CONSENT AGENDA

A. Minutes of previous meetings

B. Treasurer’s report

C. Approval of the bills

D. Personnel recommendations

E. Business transactions

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

A. Columbia Board of Education

PUBLIC COMMENT

REPORT OF THE BOARD PRESIDENT

A. Reports from CMNEA and CMSTA

REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

A. Mental health update

B. Financial update

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

A. Consideration of policy JG-R, student discipline

NEW BUSINESS

A. Consideration of budget amendments

B. Consideration of professional services agreement addendum and construction change orders

ANNOUNCEMENTS

A. Update on board member activities

CPS Tackles Health Services During Upcoming Board Meeting

Columbia school board to receive update on mental health services for students

By ROGER MCKINNEY

Sunday, February 8, 2015 

The Columbia Board of Education on Monday will hear information on the school district’s mental health initiatives for students.

The board will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Columbia Public Schools administration building, 1818 W. Worley St.

Lou Ann Tanner-Jones, CPS special services director, is scheduled to update the board on student mental health within the district. Literature released in advance of the meeting says between 12 percent and 20 percent of American students have a mental disorder that can be diagnosed. If the percentage is applied to Columbia Public Schools, mental health disorders affect 2,160 to 3,600 students.

Among the new initiatives being discussed is the Boone County Schools Mental Health Coalition, which involves Columbia, Southern Boone, Centralia, Sturgeon, Hallsville and Harrisburg school districts and the University of Missouri. The board’s consent agenda includes an agreement formalizing the coalition.

Kelly Wallis, director of Boone County Community Services, said the coalition was approved for funding of $1,190,865 through June 2016 via a quarter-cent sales tax approved by Boone County voters in 2012 for mental health services for children.

“This is just the beginning,” said CPS Superintendent Peter Stiepleman. “It’s really exciting.”

Stiepleman said it will include the availability of social workers and psychiatrists for support in any of the school districts.

“There is great promise in establishing a family access center — a brick-and-mortar building where schools could recommend a child to go where a screening is done,” Stiepleman said. “There would be follow-up case management.”

He said when a child is referred to the center, the student would not be involved in the juvenile justice system.

Expanding restorative practices in Columbia schools and among the other school districts is another goal of the coalition, Stiepleman said. Restorative practices is a procedure to address school conflicts that involves bringing offenders and victims together in a restorative conference. The conference gives students a chance to share their feelings and discuss any wrongdoing, playing an active role in resolving any conflicts.

Stiepleman said he believes officials with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will be interested in the coalition.

Chris Felmlee, superintendent in the Southern Boone School District in Ashland, said the coalition will allow the district to offer more comprehensive services to its students and families.

“It will provide mental health first-aid training for teachers to recognize and address the needs of students,” Felmlee said.

Aaron Thompson, assistant professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Missouri, said he and Wendy Reinke, associate professor in the Department of Educational, School and Counseling Psychology at MU, are working with the coalition as research consultants. Thompson said they are focused on ensuring what the coalition recommends is research-based and will help evaluate the results of the programs.

Specialized Educational Services Inc. is another initiative the district is considering, which Stiepleman said will conduct an assessment of classrooms with aggressive students.

He said there is no cost to the school district for the initial assessment. That agreement also is in the consent agenda.

Monday’s meeting also will include a financial update by CPS Chief Financial Officer Linda Quinley. Revisions to a student discipline policy also are expected to receive final consideration.

Little Money for Preschool Funding

Nixon's promises on preschool fall short

Monday, February 2, 2015 at 2:00 pm From Columbia Daily Tribune

JEFFERSON CITY — Gov. Jay Nixon has repeatedly described high quality preschool programs as a great investment for the state while proposing millions in additional funding for early childhood efforts.

But Nixon has shortchanged his own proposals by cutting funding approved by the General Assembly for such programs, because he says the state does not have enough revenue to do what he would like.

“We don’t have the money. There’s a big difference between what’s in a budget and what’s in a bank account,” Nixon said last week. “Early childhood is important, and as the economy gets moving forward we’d love nothing more than to get those dollars out there.”

When the 2015 fiscal year began last July, Nixon withheld about $21 million in increased funding for a home visit program for new parents, grants for new or expanded preschools and increases in subsidies to help low-income parents pay for child care. That funding remains on hold and is not included in Nixon’s proposed 2016 budget, which takes effect in July.

“It’s frustrating,” said Erin Brower, vice president of the Alliance for Childhood Education. “But if the money’s not there, it’s not there.”

Early childhood education programs are “the best investment the state can make, and I don’t think we’re giving it the priority it needs,” Brower added.

At issue are the Missouri Preschool Program, which provides seed money for public or private programs to grow; Parents as Teachers, a home visit program for new parents intended to help them prepare their children for school; and child care subsidies.

In January 2014, Nixon proposed an additional $20 million for the Missouri Preschool Program. The legislature approved an increase of about $4 million, for a total of $15.7 million, in the 2015 budget. Nixon then withheld three-quarters of the new funding and cut that increase out of the 2016 budget proposal.

Nixon also asked for funds last year to increase the rate paid as a subsidy to help low-income workers pay for child care and expand eligibility. The legislature approved a $17.4 million increase, but Nixon also withheld the full amount last summer.

Similarly, Nixon asked for a $1 million increase for Parents as Teachers. The legislature approved that increase, which would have funded the program at $16 million — still less than half its $34 million peak in 2009. Again, Nixon withheld that increase and did not include it in his 2016 budget proposal.

“It’s disappointing that the actions don’t match what is being said,” said Jack Jensen, executive director of Columbia’s First Chance for Children. “Everybody talks about the importance of early childhood education, including the governor, and yet budget after budget the first thing we see get cut when times are tough is early childhood programming.”

Nixon said the restrictions were needed because the legislature’s budget was not balanced.

Advocates for early intervention cite research showing the first few years of life are the most important. They point to multiple studies that find children in quality preschool programs go on to better scholastic success and higher incomes and are less likely to commit crimes.

Some groups are pushing to find new funding sources for early childhood programs. Brower’s group is working to put a cigarette tax hike on the ballot.

For next year, Nixon has proposed increased funding for different programs. He wants to redirect $11 million in federal funds through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program to preschools and add $5 million for schools to provide preschool for children with special needs in his 2016 budget.

Posted in News, Wire on Monday, February 2, 2015 2:00 pm.

UMC President Tells It Like It Is About Education

Editorial: University president seeks end to Missouri's race to the bottom

From the St. Louis Post Dispatch

January 30, 2015 4:30 pm  •  By the Editorial Board

University of Missouri President Tim Wolfe. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Enlarge Photo

Missouri’s race to the bottom has a powerful new enemy.

His name is Tim Wolfe and he is the president of the University of Missouri.

Over the past two years, frustrated with the failure of the state’s top political leaders to make education at all levels the priority it should be, Mr. Wolfe has taken his message directly to the people of the state.

In 18 stops in cities and small towns from Palmyra to Poplar Bluff, from California to Chillicothe, he has laid out the stark facts to school superintendents, to voters, to parents, to business leaders.

Missouri can’t cut its way to prosperity. It can’t win economically if it continues to be near the bottom of state rankings in all the things that matter (44th in higher education funding, for instance), and near the top in measures of poverty, hunger and poor health outcomes.

“If we don’t change, we will be in a race to the bottom and we will win the race. It is not what Missourians deserve,” Mr. Wolfe told the Post-Dispatch editorial board on Thursday. “The categories we are number one in are the categories we don’t want to be number one in.”

Mr. Wolfe’s frustration is palpable.

A Missouri native and University of Missouri-Columbia graduate, he came back to his home state in 2012 to lead the four campuses of the state’s land-grant institution after a successful career in the technology business. He found a state wallowing in mediocrity led by a Republican Legislature fixated on making taxes in a low-tax state even lower, and a Democratic governor unwilling to lay out a vision for the future.

Simply hanging their political hats on “record” education funding while other states pass Missouri by isn’t good enough, Mr. Wolfe said. Bragging about keeping tuition hikes low misses the larger point.

“What do we want to be known for?” he asks.

The answer is the same one Gov. Jay Nixon trots out each year in his State of the State speech, but always fails to follow through on: finding money in the budget to inch Missouri up from the bottom.

“Better states, better organizations, recognize opportunities and establish a sense of urgency for change,” Mr. Wolfe said. “We are trying to change the conversation … if we can just have this unifying cry that education is going to determine the future competitiveness of the state of Missouri, if we can do that, then maybe we can start to move the needle.”

Mr. Wolfe calls his tour the Show Me Value Tour, to highlight the value that voters, parents and communities can gain when they invest in education.

At least part of that investment, Mr. Wolfe believes, should come from an increase in Missouri’s lowest-in-the-nation tobacco tax. He supported the 2012 tobacco tax increase that would have raised about $300 million for education. That tax, without support from the governor and many other top state leaders (Attorney General Chris Koster was a notable exception), failed narrowly.

Mr. Wolfe believes raising the 17-cents-a-pack tobacco tax should be put on the ballot again in 2016. He believes the results could be different. He’s challenging the state’s top politicians to lay out a vision for Missouri’s education future. He’s taking his message of the value of education directly to voters and local community leaders. He believes that the Legislature spends too much time listening to “one man” — a clear reference to anti-tax crusader Rex Sinquefield. He thinks lawmakers will reject Mr. Sinquefield’s misguided vision when voters statewide finally take a stand for investing in Missouri’s next generation, its best economic development tool.

This sort of leadership is refreshing. It’s needed in a state whose politicians ignore the mileposts that Missouri has passed on its race to the bottom.

• No. 1 in hunger.

• Child poverty on the rise.

• Lowest-paid state employees.

• 40th in state funding for K-12 schools.

• 44th in state funding for higher education.

• Job growth lagging the nation.

For decades now, Missouri’s politicians have believed in two economic fairy tales: That lower taxes will create prosperity through economic growth, and that corporate giveaways in the form of tax credits will pay for themselves many times over.

Between 1970 and 2006, Missouri was, on average, the 47th lowest tax state in the nation. But today’s lawmakers want to cut taxes even further, while saying with straight faces that they care deeply about education funding.

Mr. Wolfe is tired of elected officials failing to tell voters the truth, so he’s taking his message directly to the people.

What does Missouri want to be known for? Low taxes and mediocrity? Or a willingness to invest in its people?

Perhaps voters will get a chance to answer that question next year. The future depends on getting the answer right.

Columbia Public School Candidate Screening notes

CPS Candidate Screening Notes

The CMNEA PAC committee met with CPS school board candidate and current school board president Christine King on Thursday, Jan. 23rd in the Paxton Keeley Elementary School cafeteria.  The interview team included: Becky Elder, Monica Miller, Alexander Tai, Anja Walentik, and Sue Winter.

On Friday, Jan. 24th the interview team met with candidates Darin Preis (incumbent) and Derek Wade (new candidate) in the Paxton Keeley Elementary School media center.  The interview team included: Becky Elder, Monica Miller, Judi Privitt, Anja Walentik and Sue Winter.

All members of CMNEA were invited to attend the screening.  No other members attended.

Our notes below is a summary of the questions we asked during those two days and the responses we heard.  The candidates were shown our notes before they were posted to this blog.

CMNEA PAC requests that you take the time to read through these notes, review the responses the candidates gave to our questionnaire, and view the forum online.  There is a link to the forum in this blog.  Our final request is for YOU, the member, to attend our CMNEA RA Tues. Feb. 3, 2015 (tomorrow!) to vote on the recommendation for CMNEA support.

Here are the notes:

 Screening with School Board Candidate Christine King       January 22, 2015

Please tell us about yourself and why you decided to run for a school board position.

I was initially involved with PTSA and Columbia Montessori and their education issues. Then became interested in Columbia Public School’s school board.  I ran and was elected in 2009.  I find my current position gratifying and rewarding.  I ran in 2012 which had a bond and tax levy issue which brought community input.  As president, I find myself in a unique role of listening to all board members.  Whenever I make a comment, it is perceived as a comment from the Board.  Sometimes, I feel I have to refrain from making a comment if the question is something the Board has not discussed.    

I have learned so much from my time on the board.  For example, when my son was like 3 or so, he would go outside and experience nature and ask  so many  questions.  The reality that not all students have had these kinds of experiences in preschool and come to school without the preparation that preschool can provide was a little surprising.  Everyone in Columbia kind of lives in their own neighborhoods and doesn’t really understand some of the challenges that face our fragile families.

I’m running again this round, but I don’t see myself as being on the board for the next 20 years.

How do you see yourself as an advocate for teachers?  How is the board a communicator to the public of teachers’ issues?

For example, with Amendment 3 board members were advocates for teachers.  Some members are stronger than others. I would like to see some current members go visit with legislators regarding funding.  This is an area the board could work harder on.    

This board has done a good job communicating with the community about bond issues, tax levies and boundaries.  The next World Café, October 21, 2015, is a tentative date for community input for a 2016 levy/bond.  The board is trying to be more proactive.  We don’t wait to staff areas but do so as we become aware.  We did advance hiring at Battle i.e. principals and assistant principals first so they could begin meeting and developing a school community even before the school opened.

Teachers are experiencing an increase in students with mental health issues.  What are your thoughts on this issue?

I am aware of student stories.  Our Missouri community has easy to access community services which brings more to our schools.  I value Dr. Stiepleman’s vision for CPS especially emphasis on fragile families.

There is concern that kindergarten is not currently being seen as early education with a priority of socialization and developmentally appropriate lessons.  How do teachers advocate for this when there is an emphasis on academics?

I do take input of concerns and though I don’t want to micro manage I will pass them on to administrators in the district.  It is also important for teachers to take concerns to building principals.  We know in our district that some students arrive for kindergarten with birth to five issues for example with a need to explore and be social.  The socialization part of kindergarten is a key component.  

How would you see teachers communicating with you?

I feel the board understands student needs and I feel Columbia Public Schools makes a difference in student lives.  I do appreciate teacher input.  I do see personal growth in myself following running in 2009 as I have become aware of the poverty of some CPS students.  I am proud the board has taken this to the community especially community leaders.  I am also aware of the importance of preschool education.  Another World Café has been suggested for community and staff input.

We do have teacher concerns increasing salary and restoring frozen steps.

The board will have conversations when the bargaining team presents their concerns about salaries and budgets.  This is very difficult because so much depends on what happens with state money---it status quo or increased?   Our budget is very difficult to predict as it depends on a state budget which is much less than CPS desires to educate students.  I would like the state to be realistic i.e. their predictions of amount of free and reduced lunch per district doesn’t match our actual numbers. I appreciate last year when the bargaining team surveyed teachers regarding restoring frozen steps and communicated that with us.  It is frustrating when money available is less than what teachers’ desire.  Everyone has to make choices when it comes to living within their means.  For example, when I decided to leave my job at State Farm, we had to cut corners and tighten our belts to live on one salary.  No matter what the profession, there are people who are very frugal with their money and those that struggle to live on their budget.  

Screening with School Board Candidate Darin Preis       January 23, 2015

Could you tell us about your reason for running for a school board position?

Both of my parents are teachers and I have memories of growing up hearing them discuss teaching.  I heard their concerns as teachers and their success as teachers.  When I began my career I noticed the power of early childhood education.  I am a part of the Central Missouri community Action and we work to end poverty.  We administer programs that serve children and their families.  I originally came on to the board with my own early childhood “agenda” and I have evolved to listen as a board member and learn.

Are you finding yourself able to help our community as a whole understand the context and needs of our diverse population?

Yes.  I feel you have to value people and their experience.  Actually that is why I’m here with CMNEA today.

Speaking of early childhood, how do we make sure we are using developmentally appropriate practices in kindergarten and not feel the need to push reading and other academics on the young grades?

Teachers have to differentiate and it is one of their hardest jobs.  It is best to look at developmental stages and group by that ability.  Like mixed age grouping or looping.  Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers makes this point in many ways.  I am familiar with Head Start’s High Scope program in preschool classrooms and developmentally appropriate practices.  I am supportive of thinking about youngest ages and how to support best practice.

How would teachers communicate issues with you?

We have got to let experts be experts and we should listen to them and make decisions.  I would be very interested in teacher presentations and communication but I see Dr. Stiepleman and coordinators as the ones to make curriculum recommendations.

We do have teacher concerns increasing salary and restoring frozen steps.

I don’t know where we stand with salary in relation to other districts.  Teachers deserve more salary.  The board represents various views and balances priorities.  I think the board needs to make salaries a priority.  We should pay more.

What do you see as a board member’s role with legislators?

We should communicate with the legislators more and help them understand what is going on at the local level.  I’m at the capital with various reasons with my work position and have that opportunity.  The foundation formula has so many weaknesses and variables.  So when legislators call for full funding it doesn’t address the issue.  Legislators don’t understand the formula.  Big districts benefit from it and support it.

Teachers are experiencing students an increase in students with mental health issues.  What are your thoughts on this issue?

This is a huge issue.  I am sensitive to it due to my work position.  I would like more presentations to the board so we would have more information.  I think we can also look at support for students through community resources.  Then these strategies and resources can be applied to teachers.

How would you see teachers communicating with you?

I would want to know of teachers concerns that could lead to board presentations.  We do have to honor and represent the community.  I do wish there was more time to attend school functions.

Screening with School Board Candidate Derek Wade     January 23, 2015

Please tell us about yourself.

I’m not a Missouri native as I moved here from California 8 or 9 years ago.  I have been a teacher.  I taught English at a community college in Boonville, MO which was interesting and exciting.  I am not teaching now but would like to return to it someday.  My background work experience is in the entertainment industry and cattle business.  I have traveled the world as a yacht captain visiting over thirty five countries.

My desire for running is to serve Columbia Public School students.  But I was unaware that running is also so political.

What would you see as tools to bring about achievement for our students?

Money when used wisely.  Especially when it doesn't come with state and federal conditions that weigh it down.  You hear that it is all about state and federal budgets, but they have continued to fall short.  What other income sources are available?  What things can be removed from the current budget to free up funds for educating children?

What in classrooms is getting in the way of teaching?

I hear from community patrons that they feel their school is best.  That is great for Columbia.  I do have concerns that large schools are overcrowded and by being big inhibits a feeling of family.  I have a concern that a new middle school is needed yet bonds and taxes are not there to provide for it.  We need foresight to plan for big numbers and possibly ask the state for money.  What are we learning from current boundary changes that we will use with middle school growth?  Why are we not currently planning for that middle school bubble that is on the horizon?  These things take time and it seems we are always behind the need.

As a future school board member, how do you see yourself communicating with those in Jefferson City?

I would talk to our legislators though I realize state money is not enough.  The priorities need to shift at the state level.  We may need to audit the mandates that come with federal money and see if it is worth it.  

It is important to have ways to get revenue into the state.

Also, there may be ways to take advantage of the University of Missouri resources.  I’d like to look at the money you get from the university to train their students.  You should receive a significant stipend for hosting a student teacher.

There is concern that kindergarten is not currently being seen as early education with a priority of socialization and developmentally appropriate lessons.  How do teachers advocate for this when there is an emphasis on academics?

They'd need to quantify everything kids do in class.  I’d look at the board regarding curriculum and see their direction.  We do want to respect children as learners.  I’d hope it is kept fun and interesting and age appropriate.

What is the school board’s role in choosing curriculum?

To ask what is in place and how it is affecting students.  I’m not in the classroom so it is a conversation with teachers.  It is a collaborative issue.  I’d ask is it developing students for college?

Teachers are experiencing  an increase in students with mental health issues.  What are your thoughts on this issue?

I don't think teachers are equipped with training or resources in this area.  I’m aware that even our youngest students deal with this.  A tricky area is the challenge of mainstreaming to benefit that child.  We have to respect the parent’s rights and the child’s.  What facilities do we have for them?  We have federal mandates to provide, but not the money.  We can't just put them in the classroom and ask how come they are not achieving?  This is a shared responsibility between the state and federal government.

How would you see teachers communicating with you?

I feel I should listen to teachers because you are the first responders.  You work with children so we need to listen to you.  We have to respect everybody.