In an effort to give the BSD candidates more exposure for the answers I am reposting both
Cheryl Responded to me yesterday around 6pm and I waited to post the answers until this am. Both candidates answers will be reposted Monday. So if you aren’t reading this now you will read it later, which will be now to you and not now right now.
1. Why are you running for school board, and what are the top three things you’d like to accomplish during your term?
I am running for school board because I genuinely care about education and believe that we can do better than we have been doing. Brandywine has many great teachers and administrators who have many challenges ahead. As a Board member I believe that I have already helped to elevate the dialogue, and believe that the Board should insure that we maximize academic achievement for all children. I believe that we should all give back to the community to the extent that each of us can. I believe that I have and can continue to make a valuable contribution to the Board and the District.
Three things I would like the Board to adopt as goals during my term are:
- to have every child in the District reading by the end of 1st grade.
- to create programs that integrate the core subjects and provide children with a more real world appreciation for what they are learning and what they might be interested in.
- for teachers and other professionals to have the tools they need to maximize academic achievement for all students in the District.
2. What are your views on school vouchers? Do you feel that we should have a voucher program in BSD?
I believe in a public school system that works for all children – not a voucher system.
3. Realizing that this is not in BSD I would still like your perspective on this issue: Due you feel that the Charter School of Wilmington should pay rent? Why, or why not.
As this is not a Brandywine school, I do not have a lot of information on this issue. I do not feel comfortable expressing opinions about matters that I do not feel adequately informed about.
4. What is your view on full financial transparency in BSD?
I believe that if we have a system that balances financial accountability with appropriate flexibility, it will be readily transparent.
5. Which party do you belong to?
As this is a non-partisan election, I am not sure of the relevance of this question. I am a registered Democrat.
6. Do you believe in Evolution?
Yes, however, I do not believe that my personal beliefs are relevant to my candidacy — my personal views on evolution are not relevant to my suitability for school board.
7. Do you feel Creationism has a place in BSD?
I do not believe that public schools should teach religious theories and creationism is a religious theory.
I would like to add that I have really appreciated the opportunity to serve on the Board these past 10 months and promise to bring even more enthusiam and care to a full five year term. We need to advance education in this country — one district, one school, one classroom, one child at a time. I believe that I have the energy, spirit and skills to help guide Brandywine to that next level.
www.cherylsiskin.org