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USD 259 Wichita school board, District 1

Candidates for Wichita school board
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    Betty Arnold

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  1. Biographical Information
  2. The Legislature may cut millions in education funding in the next two years to address state budget shortfalls. How should the Wichita district scale back spending?
  3. Under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, all students are expected to meet proficiency standards by 2014. How would you ensure student achievement in your district?
  4. With the end of the district’s busing for integration policy this school year, what steps should schools take to ensure cultural diversity? What do you consider equity among schools, and how would you work to achieve it?
  5. Legislators have eyed cutting state aid to bond projects as a way to help balance the budget. How should the district proceed with the $370 million bond plan if the state doesn’t come through with its 25 percent?
  6. How should the district spend the $10 million in bond money designated for a new technical education high school magnet program?
  7. If elected to the board of education, what would be your top priority?
Any scaling or cuts must be limited to those areas furthest away from the classrooms. My first recommendation would allow each school to identify the areas where scaling and/or cuts can be made. Each building would be best position to know those areas and make the neccessary recommendatons that would least impact classroom quality. I firmly believe in engaging everyone in this proccess.
An effective and strong leader at the building level impacts the level in which teachers function which in turn impacts the level that students learn. If we expect students to learn then we must ensure that a relevant learning environment does exist. The second component is to establish a strong community partnership. The foundation is laid when all parents and stakeholders are treated with value and respect and they are made to feel that their support matters.
There are probably three common ideals that parents consider when selecting a school for their child; academic success of the school, the safety of their student and having a caring environment for their student. If every school in the district operated with these ideals as basics then incorporated magnet themes, I believe that diversity would follow. When all schools can offer these three basic ideals combined with resource allocation that ensures no building is sub par, equity will exist.
I hope that this is not the case since the 25% was an influencing factor for many voters. Because of this, I believe the district and this community should do everything possible to make sure that legislators live up to this promise. This should be one of those non negotiable items when considering budget cuts.
Without the opportunity to get input from the public, it would be difficult to state how this money should be spent. Options such as building a new facility or adding wings to existing high schools would have to be decided. Although my preference would be to see a brand new, technical education only magnet high school constructed. But as I stated this decsion would be made based on public input.
I would continue my efforts to ensure that equity exist among all schools. It is imperative that every school within this district operates and is staffed with positive and sound leadership, teachers must be empowered to teach and possess the belief that all students can and will learn. We must continue the quest for innovative ways and methodologies to reach students on every level. 21st century skills cannot be taught with outdated thoughts and processes.
Age: 60
Education/Degrees: BBA:Business Administration
Community Involvement: Current Board Member, representing District 1 USD 259: Council of Great City Schools, KASB: NAACP: Urban League: Friends of the Library: Delta Sigma Theta Wichita Alumnae Chapter
Children in school: None
Political experience: District 1 Representative School Board Member
How long lived in district: 43 Years
Campaign Phone: 315-684-7792
E-mail: barnold_dist1@att.blackberry.net
Social media (list any pages on Facebook, MySpace, etc.): Facebook

The Wichita Eagle invited candidates in some contested races in Sedgwick, Butler and Sumner counties to respond to questions about key issues. You can compare the candidates and their responses side by side, and create your own printable or e-mailable ballot. The responses are largely unedited and presented as the candidates sent them to us.