| Montgomery County, PA | November 5, 2013 Election |
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QuestionsBy Joan M. KellettCandidate for Director; Upper Merion Area School District; At Large |
This information is provided by the candidate | |
Answers that might interest voters:Here are some questions that may be on your mind that I have answered below. Feel free to write me if you have more or phone if you prefer:jmkellett@verizon.net 610 265-0941 What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment in the past three plus years? For my first two years I expressed my opinions publicly which indicated dissatisfaction with the Superintendent's recommendations and leadership style. Fortunately there was support from residents as well. A school board member has 8 colleagues and it takes 5 votes to pass a motion. However, as an individual, one can lead in a discussion and influence others ` opinions. I cannot personally take full credit but I feel that I contributed to an administrative change. As a result we have transparency and trust. There is a new organizational chart designed to focus on student improvement and staff reduction resulting in savings. What obstacles do School Board Members meet? With nine members on the board there can be difficulty in getting a majority vote of five on an issue. Parents get misinformation and disperse it through emails or social media. Legislative mandates that are unfunded add expense to the budget. What recompense do School Board Members receive? None. You have to drive considerable numbers of miles if you are on out- of -district committees so all transportation is your own expense. Only if you go to a PSBA (Pa. School Board Assoc.) conference are you reimbursed and that is limited. Why do you want to be re-elected? I have served less than four years and I have seen progress. It is a challenge to make important decisions. I have many years of experience and an extensive background. I would like to contribute my knowledge to our community. Since I moved to King of Prussia in 1960 I have been civically involved. How long does it take to know the responsibilities of being on the School Board? I had 43 years in education when I was elected in 2009. After each meeting initially I would be amazed at how much there was to learn. Dealing with an 82 million dollar budget is serious. I have twelve years of experience as a township supervisor involved in budgeting and hiring. How much time does it take from your personal life? That depends on your commitment. There are at least 2 monthly televised meetings and then out of district assignments. I am a representative to the Central Montgomery Technical High School so there are monthly meetings there as well. Then there are committees: personnel and distinguished alumni which results in extra trips. There are extra meetings offered which may be at the IU. I also serve as the PSBA representative and those meetings can be in Bucks or Montgomery counties. There is a lot of reading to do both online and printed materials. What is the most difficult challenge? I find that sharing information that has an important impact on an issue but has to be imparted to other colleagues so there can be a majority vote a challenge; for the first two years I found the Superintendent difficult. Since the change there is trust and the new Superintendent leads by example. What in your background has most prepared you to be a member of the School Board? Familiarity with all the school sites in the district having taught in all including Belmont and Gulph which are no longer used for the regular classes. 47 years in all levels of education k-12, and as a college instructor as well MA plus 60 additional credits from Villanova University Fulbright teacher in French West Africa 1991-92 teaching English to French speaking students with no supplies or equipment Twelve years as an Upper Merion Supervisor Mother of six children who were athletes; A Pennsylvania real estate license First President of the PTC at MDP (now MTC) What do you see as the most important problems in the near future? Decreased revenues because of lowered assessment on commercial sites; Increased enrollment; increased state tests and scores ; limits placed by Act one: state mandates for what a district can increase in millage for real estate tax; increased costs How do you justify the students' scores on state tests with the high per pupil cost? Our goal is to increase scores and lower expenditures. Upper Merion is spoiled because in the past there was not the financial problem that exists now with businesses appealing their assessments and getting them lowered by the County Board of Assessments. We still are the lowest in the County but have the challenge of decreasing them. Upper Merion is very diverse so non- English speaking students by state mandate must have extra services. Parents can help by supervising their children's study habits because education is also a responsibility of the family. There are many contracts that contribute a fixed cost so furloughing is the only way to cut on those. We have greatly reduced administrative costs, and have negotiated both the drivers' and food staff's contracts. The administrative staff has been realigned and the focus is on student achievement. Scores are being tracked and weaknesses are receiving support. The Superintendent is a master of curriculum and is working long hours to improve our scores and at the same time keeping some money in the fund balance. We have money that comes in once, such as refinancing our bond issue and insurance refunds. Therefore it shouldn't be spent in one year but spread out by being deposited in our Fund balance (our rainy day fund). The balance in that account also reflects on our bond rating. How does the budget get proposed? The Board sets the tone. The Superintendent meets with her cabinet and relays the Board's intent. She cuts the budget accordingly with the Cabinet members and works with them on where the cuts should be made. This is concurrent with the Business Manager following PDE requirements. The problem starts when the residents object to the cuts and stress either publicly at the meetings or on line with emails why their project/interest shouldn't be cut. Do you answer emails from residents? Yes, but Board policy prohibits us from answering as individuals. I just acknowledge that I read them and will bring the issue to the Board's and Superintendent's attention or I forward them to the proper administrator concerned. Do you answer emails from staff members? We are directed to advise the staff member to communicate with his/her immediate supervisor but if that is the problem to go to the Superintendent. If the issue becomes a grievance then the Board is the judge and jury so there could be a conflict if we hear the information in advance. Do approve outsourcing services? Outsourcing means replacing our employees, many of whom are long term and also are residents. Companies can hire more cheaply because they may not have to deal with the Union, which may mean that they can hire without offering benefits of health insurance and retirement pensions. Through the years many employees have worked for lower pay and have considered their pensions as the compensatory factor. I prefer realistic negotiations. Unfortunately some unions do not involve the bargaining group and get the negotiations stalemated. That results in School Boards going for RFP's for private companies' bids. |
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