The Ypsilanti Courier
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Meet the Candidates
PUBLISHED: April 24, 2008
Name: Kira Berman
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Age: 38
Residence: 1122 Pearl Street, Ypsilanti
Family: Married to Dr. Sean C. Stidd, who teaches philosophy at Wayne State University in Detroit. One daughter, Miriam, 3 ad a half, who will enter Perry CDC for Kindergarten in fall 2009.
Work: Director of Education, University of Michigan Exhibit Museum of Natural History for more than eight years.
Relevant Experience: I have 15 years of experience in hands-on science education and I currently work as director of education at the University of Michigan Exhibit Museum of Natural History. I did my Master's degree (College of William and Mary) in Secondary School Teaching and Museum Education.
I know how to leverage sparse resources for excellence, and I've worked hard to bring community members together to educate our children. As an example, one program I developed, Family Reading and Science, won the Kathleen Powers Collaboration Award for being the best non-profit collaboration in the region.
I served a year and a half ago on the community vision committee for the Ypsilanti Public School District, and hope to continue to find ways to harness community input and energy and truly use them to make our schools better for all of us.
My previous experiences have included teaching in public schools, and providing professional development to teachers in diverse communities such as the South and West sides of Chicago.
I have a collaborative and consensus building leadership style. As a manager now, I am comfortable with budgetary oversight and I have learned to insist on complete transparency in budgetary matters and decision-making.
What do you see as the main issues a school board trustee will be dealing with and what is your stand on them?
The top issue is increasing student success in the face of substantial economic challenges. Ypsilanti is in a remarkable position. The district is in the midst of some of the best educational resources in the state: universities, colleges and non-profits. We have the potential, with the right collaborations and a few key decisions, to become a regional leader in public education. We have begun to move in this direction already.
Basing our decisions on sound research and harnessing community resources, I believe we can provide world-class academic opportunities, and that doing so will increase our student achievement, and our enrollment.
The task of the school board that will most directly affect these possibilities at this important time is hiring a new superintendent. The Board's responsibility in the upcoming year is to conduct a thorough search including local, regional and perhaps national candidates with the proven track records of improving performance in similar districts, particularly in reducing the achievement gap.
Community input into this important decision will be a vital part of the process. It is critical that we find someone who can lead with both vision and respect, invest in curriculum and instruction and leverage limited resources effectively.
The final issue which the board will face is maintaining budgetary oversight and transparency. We have recently seen the resignation of our chief financial officer and will also face a transition to a new superintendent. Maintaining accountability and public trust during leadership transitions will be a fundamental and ongoing task for the school board. We must be willing to do adequate research, ask the right questions and insist on complete transparency.
Name: Sarah Devaney
Age: 33
Residence: 962 Sherman Street, Ypsilanti
Family: Married. No children yet but one on the way!
Work: Data Analyst, Washtenaw Intermediate School District
Relevant Experience: For the past eight years, I have been employed as an educational data analyst, first with the Ann Arbor Public Schools and currently with the Washtenaw Intermediate School District. In these positions, I have come to understand the complex challenges facing public schools and their constituents.
I am used to making decisions based on data and continually evaluating change efforts. I was appointed to the Board of Education last April, so I have one year of experience as a school board trustee.
From these local and county positions, I have developed quality relationships with several members of the Ypsilanti Public Schools.
I am trained as a Critical Friends Group coach. Critical Friends Group is a professional development model that serves the Ypsilanti Public Schools. From being a trained coach, I have developed an understanding of and appreciation for the work of the staff of the Ypsilanti Public Schools.
I also have experience as a board member in two other organizations, the Normal Park Neighborhood Association and Friends of Wildlife. In addition to those experiences, I believe that other factors, including my personal disposition as well as my training in peer facilitation, position me to succeed as a member of the Ypsilanti Board of Education.
For example, I am an active listener as well as a reflective thinker, and typically serve as a "bridge-builder" in team settings. Moreover, as my professional record will attest, I deeply value and respect opinions different than my own and, consequently, am frequently able to build consensus among diverse and sometimes competing populations.
What do you see as the main issues a school board trustee will be dealing with and what is your stand on them?
I believe the main issues with which the next school board trustees should be dealing are:
Hiring a superintendent when Dr. James Hawkins's contract expires at the end of the 2008-2009 school year. I look forward to being a part of the next school board and to having the opportunity to bring in another visionary and innovative leader to continue Ypsilanti's quest to become a world-class school district. I believe it is essential to listen to and honor both staff and community voices in this hiring process.
Eliminating both the achievement and opportunity gaps. I strongly believe that by providing equitable and accessible learning experiences for all of our students, we will positively impact student achievement and will prepare our students for successful postsecondary experiences.
Ensuring fiscal responsibility. I believe that the board can make this happen by providing budgetary oversight. In these hard economic times, it's imperative we make sure we're spending our limited dollars wisely and in the best interest of the students and the staff of the Ypsilanti Public Schools.
Name: Edward Jackson
Age: 59
Residence: Ypsilanti for 17 years, in Washtenaw County for 34 years.
Family: Single
Work: Retired
Relevant Experience: I worked in the state of Michigan juvenile justice system for many years.
What do you see as the main issues a school board trustee will be dealing with and what is your stand on them?
n Financial stability of the district.
n Preparing all students to compete in our new economic environment.
n Helping students to succeed in the area of higher learning and to become future employees.
Name: Katherine Weathers
Residence: 3000 Roundtree Blvd.
Family: one child - a junior at Ypsilanti High School
Work: Self-Employed, consultant
Relevant Experience: I have a Bachelor of Science degree from Central State University, with a major in Accounting. Furthermore, I am a graduate of two of General Electric's premier management programs, the Information Systems Management Program and the Financial Management Program. Working as a team member within various public organizations has provided me with the necessary skills to continually think outside the box providing innovative ideas and solutions to challenging projects.
I have more than 20 years of professional experience within the public sector as well as the nonprofit sector specializing in financial analysis, public relations and event coordination. I have maintained fiscal responsibility for budgets ranging from $2.8 million to $120 million within the non-profit and corporate sectors.
Most recently, I have started my own consulting company that has enabled me to work in the education arena with at-risk high school students in the cities of Detroit and Pontiac.
My deep commitment to students, parents and community members has been demonstrated by my service in various Ypsilanti Public School committees as well as civic organizations. I consider myself a "giver" and a "doer." I have had the pleasure and opportunity to serve on the PTSO (formerly the Stakeholders), YHS Athletic Booster Club and Senior All-Night Party.
The parents I have worked with have strongly recommended I seek a spot on the school board. They have expressed that I am a team player and positive change agent that continually puts the needs of all children first.
I feel my organizational and communication skills, historical knowledge, and vision, along with my passion, empathy and "Strong Ypsi Pride" would be an asset to the Ypsilanti Public School board.
What do you see as the main issues a school board trustee will be dealing with and what is your stand on them?
In my opinion, quality instruction is always the number one priority of a board member. Being a representative of countless parents, it is my goal to ensure that our students receive the best instruction possible.
Second, ensuring that we are financially responsible is important. Working as a team, we must make certain that we spend the allocated resources appropriately and efficiently, making sure we address quality instruction and not waste the limited resources available to us.
Within the classroom there are several key factors, meeting curriculum objectives, ensuring adequate staff and support staff, and quality materials are essential.
For everyone throughout the district, maintenance, security, nutritious meals and quality food service must be maintained at the highest level. Obtaining knowledge of budgetary priorities and data will be used to determine my direction.
My research would include obtaining information from professional training offered by the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB), as well as WISD. In addition, I will review past and present YPS budgets and research all other resources that are appropriate and legal.
Quality curriculum programs and activities need to be provided. Input from staff, parents, students and the community will help to guide me, along with my degree in accounting and my financial analysis background.
Name: Tom Reiber
Age: 59
Residence: 2447 Roanoke Drive, Ypsilanti
Family: Four children (all of whom attended Ypsilanti Public Schools): Paul, graduate of Purdue University; Emily, graduate of Eastern Michigan University; Laura, graduate of Louisiana State University; and Mark, senior at Ypsilanti High School.
Work: retired from Ford Motor after 25 years in Information Technology.
Relevant Experience: 12 years of experience on the Ypsilanti school board, masters degree in education, excellent communicator, strong team player, positive working relationship with the superintendent, teachers, and community stakeholders.
What do you see as the main issues a school board trustee will be dealing with and what is your stand on them?
Main Issue 1: eliminate the achievement gap. I support the 90/90/90 schools program. It is a blueprint for success so that 90 percent of our students will meet or exceed state standards.
Main Issue 2:
Petition our state government and elect officials that will fund our schools.
Continue talks with Ypsilanti Township and City officials to enlist their help and ideas.
Consolidate services and collaborate with our neighboring Districts where it makes sense.
Support schools of choice.
Actively promote our academic and extracurricular offerings to Increase student enrollment.
Invest in partnerships with the WISD, Eastern Michigan,†the University of Michigan and others
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