BIOGRAPHY:
I am 44 years old, divorced, father of two children who have only attended public schools in Carroll County and currently attend Winters Mill HS. I have resided in Carroll County since 1995 and am originally from the Boston, Massachusetts area. I attended public schools and then graduated Boston University in 1985.
A1:
I think that, by-and-large, our schools offer much the same opportunities. Of course, there are differences between schools because of enrollment that effect such things as the student-teacher ratio. There are differences in the physical plant of schools and of course there are varying levels of parental involvement and participation at our schools.
A2:
This is an area where I feel particularly qualified for the role. I have a great deal of professional training and practical experience with long-term decision-making that is driven by data - facts and figures - to develop various courses of action to address complex issues. Those skills combined with my consensus-builder leadership style are an excellent fit...
A3:
We have other tools to consider using to address the County’s changing enrollment demographics and I think the Board should look at redistricting which can be implemented more quickly and more cheaply than new construction. However, it is an emotional issue that effects families and may not be the best course of action for each issue.
A4:
I agree with the current policies of CCPS on off-campus illegal behavior. I think it has a powerful deterrent quality and, for those mature enough to really appreciate the consequences of illegal activities on their young lives, I think it works. In both my military and private sector careers I have seen people discharged and fired for their off-duty illegal behavior.
A5:
We need to sell ourselves, our Public School System and Community, to a national talent pool by continuing to use and enhance the online tools to promote and recruit teachers from across the U.S. Leverage CCPS’ excellent reputation (Forbes article on best school systems ranks CCPS as 37th in the United States).
A6:
We need to track student performance at the school level and intervene wherever we see an under-achieving student; not just at standardized test time, but all of the time. We have to reach their families, the basic support system of a young student, and help improve the student’s support from their own home.
