Candidate's forum introductory speech

By Dale Irvin Barr, O.D.

This is the introductory speech I gave at the Leaque of Women Voters Candidate's Forum on October 12th.

Let me tell you a little about myself.

My father was in the military and so most of my youth was spent in 9 different public schools in Texas, Alabama, and Germany. I attended the University of Colorado and started my career as an electrical engineer. I came to Silicon Valley in 1983 to work for FMC Corporation. After getting a Masters Degree from Santa Clara University, I needed a change in careers. I wanted a profession where I could give back to the community. I went to CAL to get my Doctor of Optometry degree. I have been in private practice since then and there isn't a day that I am not excited about going to work.

I have managed to get here through hard work but more importantly I got here through the blind generosity of countless people that I will never see, for I am a product of public education. Society gave me opportunities that my parents could not and I am grateful and obligated to help the next generation.

My wife and I have been married for 12 years. We have two bright and gentle girls that are 8 and 5 years old. We bought a home in this district 9 years ago with the intent of raising and schooling our children here. The school district looked attractive and our neighborhood school looked attractive and they still do. We have been very happy with the quality of teachers we have had at Payne elementary. I am very impressed with their skills and professionalism. They do a job that I could never do.

I have learned a lot this past year by attending most of the board meetings and all of the Facilities Task Force meetings. I have come to appreciate the complexity of the task facing the education system. I have come to appreciate the dedication of the current board members.

The Moreland School District is a vibrant community with very ordinary problems. But the problems that we face all have solutions.

First, we need to focus on increasing our revenues. We can to this by addressing the under enrollment of kindergarteners through marketing and by going to all day kindergarten. Under enrollment of kindergartners is costing us $480,000 dollars a year. We can increase income by incorporating preschools into our facilities and aligning them with our curriculum. And then there are the families who choose not to send their children to us. We need to reach out to those groups to find ways to be more inclusive and increase our revenues. We do a fabulous job here but we don't market ourselves proactively to the Moreland community.

Next, we need to focus on enhancing the relationship between the teachers and the district administration. That relationship needs to be a healthy partnership that is based on open communication and mutual respect. I will seek meetings with both sides to find a way to achieve that.

And above all, we need to provide an environment that provides equal opportunity to maximize each child's potential. We must not teach to the middle. We have to be flexible and reach out to those less gifted and we have to let the gifted ones run like the academic superstars that they are. Their advancement doesn't begin with advanced placement in middle school or high school. Their advancement began long before they come to us in kindergarten and we must make sure we don't slow them down or they won't come at all.

These are the issues I feel passionate about. With your support we can do it together. Thank you.