North Wasco County School Board zone 7

Why should residents consider you for NWCSD 21 school board Zone 7?

Being a D21 mom gives me unique perspective on the district’s successes and shortcomings. I have served on Dry Hollow’s PTA (Parent-Teacher Association), volunteered in classrooms, and worked as a D21 classified substitute. I have attended or watched online nearly every board meeting for 4 years. I have leadership experience professionally in medical staff services and in volunteer capacity serving several local non-profits including The Dalles Little League. I have participated in the Ford Institute Leadership Program. Historical knowledge of D21 operations gives me a solid foundation for the additional training I would receive if elected.

What do you see as the school district’s greatest challenge going forward?

Multifaceted, the district’s greatest challenges include financial uncertainties, safety, and shifting academic standards.

What changes do you think the district needs to make to any of its policies, and why?

D21 needs to evaluate the effectiveness of student conduct policies and procedures. D21 schools have not implemented the same practices and therefore have different outcomes. Students should have reasonable expectations, with fair consequence when appropriate, to create the best possible learning environment for their peers and a safe space for all. This also supports the district’s mission to have high standards, motivate students to reach their fullest potential and be life ready.

How will you support the district’s mission of “Educating each student to the highest standards while motivating them to reach their fullest potential and graduating them to be college, career and life ready”?

The school board sets district policy, which sets the standard for staff and students. I will work with my peers on the school board to ensure D21 hires and retain exceptional staff. Working together we can facilitate operational integrity which should maximize student-facing resources.

Steve Lawrence

Why should residents consider you for NWCSD 21 school board Zone 7?

Raised in The Dalles, I attended school from kindergarten to high school here. My family is full of educators; father was a high school teacher for 30 years, grandfather and uncle were college professors and my daughter is a kindergarten teacher in Ashland. I created the first after school daycare program housed at a school in Portland. As an attorney, I have served on numerous local and national non-profit boards, acted as parliamentarian for a national charity, written by-laws, served on the state advocacy board for developmental disabilities, negotiated labor agreements and acted as a mediator. My six years as mayor included working with state and national elected officials, dealing with budgets and helped to fund the skills program at our community college.

What do you see as the school district’s greatest challenge going forward?

District 21’s greatest challenge is raising the skill levels in reading and math and improving graduation rates. Budget deficits need immediate attention and a strong plan for improving facilities is critical.

What changes do you think the district needs to make to any of its policies, and why?

Community access of school facilities needs to be improved, increased and facilitated. The school system needs to be more the center of the town. As far as the plethora of policies currently in place, I think it would be presumptive to recommend change without knowing how well each is implemented, not implemented or whether it gets in the way of good education.

How will you support the district’s mission of “Educating each student to the highest standards while motivating them to reach their fullest potential and graduating them to be college, career and life ready”?

The school district needs to have many and varied avenues to developing and preparing each student for success in whatever career or life endeavor they aspire to. Increasing access to community college programs in alternative classes such as construction skills, nursing, computer, mechanics, etc.