Candidates for Monroe School Board agree: Student test scores must rise

Published 12:01 am Thursday, October 13, 2011

MONROE — One incumbent and three newcomers are seeking to fill two director seats on the Monroe School Board on Nov. 8.

Among the most important issues facing the district, according to the candidates, are raising student test scores, improving school programs and having better communication with the community.

School board members are paid a maximum of $4,800 a year. Their duties entail administering school policies for the district of 7,872 students and 380 teachers, and its $64.3 million budget.

Seat No. 2

Incumbent Debra Kolrud’s main goals are to improve student test scores and make board meetings more open.

The district is not meeting the state’s averages in most academic measures, Kolrud said. And if they are meeting them, they should exceed them, she said.

The school district also should provide more information to the community. This way, people can better share their views at meetings and help directors with their decisions, Kolrud said.

With funding concerns, the biggest challenge is to make sure the money goes to education, she said. She believes administrators are paid too much.

“My focus is to ensure the money gets to the classroom instead of the administration,” Kolrud said.

To interact more with the community, Kolrud organizes coffee chats in local shops. She also has a Facebook page where she speaks about district business.

Candidate Nancy Truitt Pierce also wants to hear from the community, so she is also organizing tea meet ups at her office, and summits to find solutions for different educational problems.

Community involvement in the schools is important because that’s what makes the difference between good districts and great ones, Truitt Pierce said.

Schools should offer more Advancement Placement and math courses, she said. And she wants to find ways to motivate students and keep them excited about learning.

Truitt Pierce disagrees with Kolrud that administrators are overpaid.

“That’s an urban legend,” said Truitt Pierce. “I don’t see evidence (of that) because that’s not true.”

District administrators ‘ total compensation packages are slightly below state average, she said.

Seat No. 5

Two candidates are vying for the seat of Jamie Wright, who is not seeking reelection.

For Katy Woods, the district has done a good job of raising tests scores, but there’s always room for improvement, she said.

A stronger curriculum and more parental involvement is needed, she said.

Because of her job, volunteer work and professional background, Woods believes she is a good fit for the school board, especially when budget talks come around.

“To figure what makes a priority and doing budget planning, that’s what I do on my everyday job,” said Woods, who is a bank manager. She decided to run because decisions made from the board affect her life and her two children, who are students in Monroe schools. She also believes she can make the difference for all the community.

Jennifer Van de Wouwer wants to improve the district’s special needs program because Monroe lags behind others in this area, she said.

Improving other school programs, such as alternative education, may help the district retain students, she said.

“I want families to live in Monroe because of the schools,” Van de Wouwer said.

Her experience running a day care and having her five kids attending Monroe schools, gives her a perspective on how the different school programs are run, Van de Wouwer said.

She also wants stronger cooperation between the school district and police to make schools safer.

Alejandro Dominguez: 425-339-3422; adominguez@heraldnet.com.

Monroe School Board Director No. 2

Debra Kolrud

Age: 54

Occupation: Retired business owner.

Website: www.debrakolrudmonroeschooldirector.com

Priorities: Improve students’ state test scores, have more open board meetings, and reduce class sizes.

Nancy Truitt Pierce

Age: 60

Occupation: Management consultant for her own company.

Website: www.nancy4schools.com

Priorities: Achieve good test results and improve students’ achievements, make parental involvement easier, and increase school pride and support from local businesses and the community.

Monroe School Board Director No. 5

Jennifer Van de Wouwer

Age: 40

Occupation: Runs a children’s home day care.

Website: www.jennifer4schools.com

Priorities: Bring up test scores, improve and expand alternative learning education centers, and improve special needs education.

Kathryn (Katy) Woods

Age: 41

Occupation: Bank manager for Whidbey Island Bank.

Website: None.

Priorities: Ensure students get better education, keep improving test scores, and build a stronger school board.

Candidate’s Night

The Monroe Library and the Snohomish County League of Women’s Voters are hosting a community forum where candidates are scheduled to talk about their platforms and answer questions from a moderator and the public.

The event is scheduled at 7 p.m., Oct. 20, at the library, 1070 Village Way.