Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Thank you so much

I am so grateful for the support I received during this election--thank you to anyone who trusted me enough to vote for me.

Over the next couple months I'll be on a steep learning curve as I get up to speed on board responsibilities and the issues facing the Lebanon schools. I hope I continue to hear from LCSC patrons as I take office. When I begin something new, I try to spend as much time listening and learning as I can, before coming out with ambitious plans.

I hope to be able to continue this blog in some fashion, and to make it a place where Lebanon citizens can come for perspective from a board member. But I'm not yet certain what parameters I'll have to contend with in doing that. Please check back from time to time, and hopefully I'll soon be posting on the life of a newly-elected board member, and providing some insight into school issues.

Thank you for your interest in the Lebanon schools, and for reading my blog.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

First things first--a little more about me

(Please note: I leave this post at the top of my blog so that new visitors can easily see this information about me and my candidacy. Thanks to return visitors for their understanding!)

I'm interested in hearing from Lebanon community members, but I want you to know something about me as well. So here's some basic information:

I grew up in a family of seven children in Michigan. I earned a B.A. at the University of Notre Dame, and an M.A. in English Literature at IU Bloomington.

Steve Wornhoff and I married in 1992. (He didn't change his name when we married!) Our daughters Becky, Nina and Nora Wornhoff attend Lebanon schools—next year they will be students at LHS, LMS, and Central Elementary respectively. Steve works as the Director of Special Education for a co-op serving 7 school corporations in Hamilton, Boone and Madison counties. He was formerly the director of the co-op that serves Lebanon and 6 other districts in Boone, Clinton and Hendricks counties.

My work experience includes being an admissions counselor at Notre Dame, an assistant director of admissions for the IU Kelley School MBA program, an instructor and academic advisor at IU Bloomington, and executive director of the Frankfort Education Foundation.
Most recently I worked for nearly four years as copy editor and occasional columnist at The Lebanon Reporter.

Since moving to Lebanon in 2003, my family has done its best to become contributing members of this community. We like it here and we plan to stay, so we do what we can to make Lebanon a better place to live and work.

Here's some of my community involvement:

  • President (2006-'07 and '07-'08) and vice-president ('05-'06), Central Elementary PTO
  • Classroom volunteer for reading and poetry, LMS and Central Elementary
  • Served on committees to interview candidates for LCSC Curriculum Director (2006) and LHS Principal (2007)
  • Member of corporation broad-based plan committee since 2004
  • Parent liaison to Central Indiana Education Service Center since 2006
  • Member of School Improvement Team at Central Elementary, 2006-present
  • Participated in LHS action group on weighted grades, 2006-'07
  • Board member and officer, Lebanon Swim Club, 2004-present
  • Cantor and Sunday school teacher, St. Joseph’s Church
  • Cast member, Lebanon Follies
  • Back to the Fifties Committee

Why run for the Lebanon school board?

I want to have a positive impact in Lebanon, and the schools are the public issue I care about most. As a board member, my goal will be excellent schools for all students. I promise I will:

  • Listen to LCSC constituents
  • Prepare for and attend meetings faithfully
  • Spend time in LCSC buildings and facilities
  • Be available to the public to answer questions and provide information
  • Promote transparency by communicating with the public through the corporation Web site, newsletters, or regular columns
  • Be a careful steward of corporation finances and facilities.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

The Home Stretch

The campaign is now in its final weeks! Some people have voted already, and most of you will go to the polls on May 6.

Remember how the school board races work:
  • All voters in the Lebanon school corporation boundaries vote for all seats. Myself, Michael Burtron, John Rice and Shane Conner are running for the two City of Lebanon seats; Dave Herr is running unopposed for the Perry Township seat. Michael Burtron and I have teamed up in this campaign--we believe we're the two most qualified candidates for the city seats.
Why should you vote for me? I'm prepared, and I'm passionate about education.

I've been interested in the school board for a long time. I have prepared by attending school board meetings regularly--I've attended 12-15 meetings in the last few years, and all of them since January. I've also met with principals in the LCSC to learn about their schools, talked with parents and teachers, and kept abreast of legislative developments that will affect the schools. My service to the schools as PTO president, classroom volunteer, and as a member of several school-related committees has given me a broad perspective on issues relating to the schools. I have the time and passion to commit to being an excellent board member, and that's the standard I'll set for myself.

While there's no "hot-button" issue in this school board election, there will be some serious challenges coming before the board in the next few years. The most difficult issues are sometimes the ones you don't see coming. I believe I have the judgment, temperament, and preparation to deal with these situations as they arise. And I will work with my colleagues to arrive at decisions that are best for students and the larger community. I hope you'll support me with your vote.

As always, feel free to contact me at the e-mail address on the right with questions, suggestions, or comments. Thank you for reading, and for your interest in the Lebanon schools.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Coming up like daffodils

It's 30 days until the May 6 election, and the first day yard signs are allowed in Lebanon. So my family and I drove around town today "planting" yellow and black yard signs. If you have one--thank you for your support! If you'd like one, e-mail me at the address to the right and I'll bring one over.

Remember, if you want to vote in the May 6 election, you must be registered by Monday, April 7. Call the Boone County Clerk's office at 482-3510 for more information. Absentee voting will be conducted April 7 - 28, and there is also voting at some satellite locations. Call the Clerk's office for details.

Enjoy the lovely spring days, when we're lucky enough to get one. Thank you for reading.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

State of the schools

At last night's board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Bob Taylor gave his "State of the Corporation" talk, covering everything from enrollment numbers to programs under consideration. It's a good idea for any large organization to take stock once a year or so, and this kind of overview is probably helpful for Dr. Taylor himself, as well as the board and the larger community.

Dr. Taylor said they plan to make the Power Point presentation he used available on the corporation Web site, and I'll provide a link when they put it up there. But for now, here are a few highlights:
  • No plans for a new high school. LHS is 50 years old this year, and there have been 4 renovations/additions during that time. Enrollment isn't growing fast enough to warrant plans for a new high school, but some crucial aging infrastructure at LHS will probably need to be addressed. Taylor mentioned plumbing, electrical, and technology needs. (I think I've heard discussion of the HVAC system as well.) There are studies underway to see what's needed and what it will cost.
  • Two ISTEP tests next year. As the state moves to spring ISTEP testing, it will require two tests in the 2008-09 school year, one in fall and one in spring.
  • Program audits. Taylor is having several components of the LCSC curriculum evaluated for their effectiveness. Last year the literacy program was audited, an audit of the programs for high ability students is underway right now, and next fall they will audit the math programs across the district. A tentative audit of special education programs is set for 2010.

There's plenty more, but it would make for a too-long post. Drop me an e-mail if you have questions or comments, and I'll post a link to the Power Point presentation once it's made available.

Addendum: Here's a link to the presentation Dr. Taylor gave at the school board meeting. Click on the hyperlink under "State of the Corporation: http://www.leb.k12.in.us/community.asp

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Excellence ... Leadership ... Stewardship

Summing up a campaign in three words is difficult--especially for someone like me, who tends to use too many words rather than too few. But these are the three I have settled on, and here's why.

"Excellence" is about setting a high standard for everyone affiliated with the Lebanon schools. We need a school culture that encourages and rewards excellence from all students, all teachers, all administrators, all staff, in the classrooms, in athletics and in the arts. We can't measure every student using the same yardstick, but we can work toward having every student achieve to the very best of her or his ability. "Good enough" isn't the standard any of us wants to see in our workplaces, our government, or even our sports teams! Striving for excellence means refusing to settle for "good enough" schools. As a school board member, I'll do my best to fill that role with excellence as well.

"Leadership" means being part of a board that takes responsibility for the policy decisions of the LCSC. With an annual budget of $32 million and 450 employees, the school corporation has a huge impact on our community. As a school board member, being a leader means studying the impact of different forces on our schools (government initiatives, budget issues, educational programs, demographics) and carefully coming to decisions about how the school corporation can best respond. Leadership also means letting school personnel do their jobs. The board is a policy-making body, and board members must not micromanage the administrators and teachers in the district.

"Stewardship" may seem like an unlikely word to choose. I think of stewardship as our fundamental responsibility to leave the world a better place than we found it. As a board member, this means being a responsible, creative, prudent caretaker of our children, our personnel, our facilities and our budget. A good steward takes care of the present and plans for the future.

Thanks for reading. Please drop me an e-mail with any questions, comments, or suggestions. And don't forget to vote on May 6!

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

"Fair" Weather

Last night our family finished the round of February "fairs": science fairs at LMS and Central, and World's Fair at LMS. I also had the chance to judge the 6th-grade Science Fair at LMS on Monday. I know there are also science fairs this time of year at Harney, Perry-Worth and Hattie B. Stokes.

Here's Nina and her group with their excellent teacher, Eric Williams, at World's Fair, last week:



Like many parents, I often groan when "fair" time comes around. We're plenty busy with regular schoolwork, community and church activities, work, and swim practices, without adding in extra school projects.
But I'm usually happy to see the results of the extra effort, and this year was no exception. Students have to come up with an idea and really see it through, then they have to talk to adults about it. This is a unique learning opportunity, and takes them out of the round of reading, writing, and preparing for quizzes and tests. Some students really have a chance to shine, and show abilities that might otherwise never be recognized.
If you have helped with projects--buying supplies, checking over reports, finding resources for a student, judging or just coming to see the projects--thank you. And if you get a moment, you might thank the teachers who put these fairs together.

Friday, February 22, 2008

It's a Race

As of this afternoon, there are four candidates seeking election to the two city of Lebanon school board seats. (Remember, all voters in the LCSC boundaries vote for school board members from all districts.) The filing period is closed; the field is set.

I look forward to a good campaign! As the days get warmer and longer I'll be out and about, knocking on doors and listening to Lebanon families--with and without children in the Lebanon schools--about their concerns. Do you have a comment, suggestion, or question? Drop me an e-mail using the address on this page.

More Good News
Lebanon High School received recognition in the form of a Red Quill Award, for using student test data to improve its curriculum, and for improving test scores. LHS is the only school in Indiana to win this award this year, and one of only 17 schools in the Midwest. Congratulations to staff, faculty, and students at LHS and LMS (some of the testing is done in 8th grade) for this accomplishment!

Here's the link to coverage in The Lebanon Reporter: http://www.reporter.net/local/local_story_053002430.html

Thank you for reading, and for your interest in the Lebanon schools.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Good News

At the monthly school board meeting Tuesday the new corporation Web site was introduced. It looks like a much better, more effective and professional way to access lots of school information than the previous site. You can check it out here: http://www.leb.k12.in.us/

LCSC Superintendent Dr. Bob Taylor begins each meeting by giving the board and audience some "good news" about the Lebanon schools. Among his news this month was Central Elementary's designation as a Four Star school, LHS senior Valerie Coulter being named a National Merit Finalist, and LHS senior Scott Milam receiving a $1000 scholarship from the IHSAA, the first time a Lebanon student has been awarded this scholarship. LHS Principal Kevin O'Rourke mentioned in his presentation that LHS has achieved "AYP" (Adequate Yearly Progress) under No Child Left Behind regulations for the first time in several years. That's good news indeed.

If I'm elected to the school board, one of my high priorities will be to help get "good news" about the corporation out into the community. I know from experience that The Reporter doesn't have adequate staff to really cover education news in Lebanon, so the corporation has to get creative, and get the good word out!

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Early days

I went to the Indiana School Board Association candidate forum in Lafayette last evening, with Michael Burtron, who is also running for a city seat in May. (Remember, there are two city seats, so you can support two candidates.) There was some great information presented about what school boards do, and what they don't do, and ethical guidelines for school board members.

They also gave us some reading material, so I have homework to do! The ISBA puts on educational programs for school board members several times a year, so in essence you go to "school board school" after you're elected, to help you up the learning curve. The Lebanon Community School Corporation has an annual budget around $32 million, and with 450 or so employees is, I believe, the largest employer in the city. Between setting educational policy, taking care of school facilities and negotiating contracts, the school board has a big job. Everything I'm learning makes me more excited to take on the challenge.

I'm planning to do more active campaigning a little later, once the evenings are a bit warmer and lighter. These winter days are a good time to get my homework done. Thank you for reading, and please let me know what your concerns are about the Lebanon Community School Corporation.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Property Tax relief package--school impact

And if that title didn't put you to sleep, good for you!

Seriously, though, the legislation making its way through the process in Indianapolis may have a large impact on public schools as well as property owners. According to Friday's Indianapolis Star, "the plan [approved by the house] would transfer the 15 percent of remaining school general fund and transportation spending ... to the state."

The original plan also proposed that every public spending project (including schools) over $7 million would have to be approved by a local referendum. The version of the bill that came out of the house altered this so that only "recreational" projects like pools and football stadiums would have to be passed by referendum. We'll see what the bill looks like when it comes out of the senate and goes to the governor for his signature. If you'd like to track the bill, check www.indystar.com/politics.

School finance is serious business, and it's terribly complicated. My husband Steve, who's an educator, has heard someone say that only 10 people in the state understand school funding, and when the 11th person learns, they change it. Looks like that's about to happen, and school boards and administrators will have to keep abreast of the changes.

Lebanon has been spared bitter battles over school building projects, and that's probably because the administration and board have been pretty sensible about the projects they have proposed.

Do you think there are any building projects the LCSC will need in the near future? What do you think of the condition of the LCSC facilities? Drop me an e-mail and let me know.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Lebanon schools a "Best Buy"

Each year the Indiana Chamber of Commerce publishes a report of the "Best Buys" among the roughly 400 school corporations in the state. Their method for doing this seems pretty comprehensive, and is explained at the beginning of the report. They take into account the tax rate, school corporation debt, spending per pupil, and several measures of student achievement including test scores, graduation rates and the percent of graduates going on to college.

The 2007 report, published in December and available to download at this link: http://www.indianachamber.com/bestbuys/, includes Lebanon among the 136 "Best Buy" school corporations.

I know there's work to be done in the Lebanon schools, and we face challenges of student achievement and getting the most from our budget. But it's good when we are recognized for achieving well with what we have and giving our students, staff and citizens "bang for the buck." You might find the report interesting to look over, but I wouldn't print it unless you have plenty of paper and ink in your printer!

What do you think are the most pressing issues facing the Lebanon schools? Drop me an e-mail and let me know. Thank you for reading.

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

It's official

This morning I filed my candidacy papers!

If you're confused about the composition of the Lebanon school board, which seats are open, etc., here's how I understand it:

There are five seats on the board, and members serve four-year terms. Two seats are for the city of Lebanon, one is for Center Township not including Lebanon (this includes Ulen and the parts of Center outside city limits), and one each for Perry and Worth townships.

This year, voters will be electing members for the two city seats, currently held by Ron Morelock and Roger Neal, and the Perry Township seat currently held by John Rice.

In the LCSC, everyone votes for each of the school board seats, e.g., if you live in Perry Twp., you can still vote for the city and other township seats.

I saw my blog mentioned on the Lebanon Chatter community bulletin board. Thank you to whomever posted that link, and welcome to any Chatter readers who have found this blog.