Tonya Aultman-Bettridge
Why are you running for the Jeffco School Board?
I am running for the school board because I believe in the students of Jefferson County. I am passionate about public education and want to use my experience and skills to help ensure that every single child in Jefferson County has an equal chance to receive a high quality education. I have been a long time parent volunteer in Jeffco Public Schools, spending time helping in my son’s schools and in schools across the county. I sat on the Jeffco Council PTAs Board of Directors for four years and, during that time, assisted parent groups in schools all over the district to improve their engagement of families and their efforts to help improve their neighborhood schools. I have a PhD in Public Administration/Policy from the University of Colorado at Denver and have dedicated my entire professional career to conducting research and evaluations that improve the lives of children youth and families. Most of my work involves the study of local, state, federal programs and policies that are funded by taxpayers. I work with those agencies to make sure they are meeting their goals to help children and families and that they are doing so in a cost-effective manner.
Who or what program in the field of education do you consider worthy of listening to or following?
I think it is important to consider a variety of sources of information. First and foremost, I think that members of our school board need to be listening to the districts’ parents, teachers, staff, and community members (including local business) when considering what education policies are right for this district. I think that those discussions should be augmented with up to date research-based information from multiple sources. Finally, I believe applying knowledge of evidence-based, proven practices in making decisions. Therefore, I feel it is important for school board members to continually seek out similar districts that are having specific successes in areas such as closing the achievement gap, higher graduation rates, effective vocational programs, etc. to learn about proven approaches to solving our most pressing issues.
What should the top three priorities for the school board be going into 2014?
Priority 1 will be to work closely and collaboratively to create a common vision for education in Jefferson County. Regardless of the election results, the board will have three new members in 2014. As the new board comes together, it will be vital that a strong and respectful working relationship be established so that the group can move forward together in setting goals and priorities to address needs in meeting challenges, including those stated above, facing our school district. Priority 2 will be to oversee the implementation of the various changes in testing, standards, and literacy expectations that have been passed by the Colorado legislature or adopted by the Colorado Department of Education in the past several years. It is vital now, more than ever, that our school board be thoughtful and deliberate in setting a course for a successful implementation of these new initiatives to maximize the positive benefit on students’ academic success. Priority 3 will be to set forth a clear vision and expectations around the implementation of changes to the educator evaluation system. The 2013-14 school year has brought significant changes to employee evaluation systems. The board should carefully monitor the rollout of the new system in order to learn about strengths and opportunities as well as to quickly respond to concerns or the need for adjustments in the evaluation process.
Jeff Lamontagne
Why are you running for the Jeffco School Board?
I am running for Jeffco School Board to add a balanced and constructive voice to Jeffco Schools’ leadership, and because I care deeply about Jeffco’s youth. I believe that every child deserves access to an excellent education, and that our best investment is in our kids’ education. Finally, I am running because I believe that my mix of experience with the schools and proven track record of leadership are needed for the schools.
Who or what program in the field of education do you consider worthy of listening to or following?
I don’t follow any one particular line of thinking or special program with respect to education, but rather believe that integrating the wisdom from a variety of approaches provides for the most thorough overall approach. I consider the people most worthy of listening to are the parents, teachers, and students across Jefferson County, along with all of the taxpayers. I’ve spoken to many thousands of people from these groups this past year, and it’s their informed, collective voices that help guide much of what I’m thinking about Jeffco Schools.
What should the top three priorities for the school board be going into 2014?
The top priority always needs to be student achievement. Second, the district always must keep its eye on fiscal management, ensuring accountability, transparency, and smart budgeting at all times. Third, there are several major changes occurring that will represent great opportunities to Jeffco, including new student assessments, teacher evaluations, teacher compensation initiatives, and content standards. The school board will need to keep a close eye on these various initiatives to provide feedback as to how each can be improved, so that the first goal of student achievement can be maximized.
John Newkirk
Why are you running for the Jeffco School Board?
As a lifetime Jeffco resident and graduate of the Jeffco schools, I want all students to have the same access to the same great public education that I had.
Who or what program in the field of education do you consider worthy of listening to or following?
There are a wide variety of programs available today that simply didn’t exist when I was a student: blended learning, the Jeffco Virtual Academy, charter schools, option schools, and the like. I believe each of these is worthy of following according to individual needs and effectiveness.
What should the top three priorities for the school board be going into 2014?
To insure:
1. Every student has a broad range of educational options, academic and vocational, that meet his or her unique interests and needs.
2. Every parent has the information and voice they need to actively guide the education of their children.
3. Every resource is efficiently allocated so as to have the greatest impact.
Gordon “Spud” Van de Water
Why are you running for the Jeffco School Board?
I’m running for the Jeffco school board because I believe in the power of excellent schools to transform lives. Each of Jeffco’s 85,000 children deserves a good education that gives him/her the tools for success. I believe excellent schools are fundamental to a strong, stable democracy. Not only do our schools prepare our future citizens and workforce, they help communities thrive by attracting new businesses and families. I am reminded of what’s at stake as the proud grandfather of eight grandchildren. This is a critical election that will have a lasting impact on the future of our children and Jeffco schools. I bring a fairly unique set of skills and experience to the table – 3 decades of education research and policy experience; 18 years running my own business; 15 years staffing education boards; 25 years serving on boards; 4 postsecondary degrees; 7 years of military leadership training. And, lastly, I understand improving student performance requires high quality teachers and principals. I know the importance of fairly compensated and supported staff, and sufficient resources, and I value the school district’s mission, and desire only to see Jeffco Schools continue in its role as a state and national leader among school districts.
Who or what program in the field of education do you consider worthy of listening to or following?
I study the recommendations of business scholar Jim Collins, especially his study titled “Good to Great and the Social Sectors”. I agree with his conclusion: it’s not that schools should be like businesses; it’s that both should pursue greatness. That’s what I want to do as a school board member – pursue greatness on behalf of all our students.
What should the top three priorities for the school board be going into 2014?
My top three priorities are:
1. Improving student achievement – high performance/high morale schools will get us there.
2. Managing the many new initiatives arriving so close together. I’d address the challenge with careful planning, a great deal of communication, and attentive monitoring to make sure we are strengthening our mission and not being distracted from it.
3. Continued discipline to see that dollars are spent wisely and shifted when necessary.
Julie Williams
Why are you running for the Jeffco School Board?
I am running for Jeffco School Board because I want to be the voice that represents parents and taxpayers. I realize there are many parents in my community that cannot get involved. These are hard-working families who are overwhelmed with work, the needs of raising a family and just plain “life”! These families need a voice! And I want to be that voice.
Who or what program in the field of education do you consider worthy of listening to or following?
I would look to follow great leaders who have been instrumental in creating high performing schools such as: Liberty Commons, D’Evelyn, Littleton Prep, and Jefferson Academy. There are a variety of successful school models we should look at since each child has a unique learning style. Other models should include stem, magnet, online programs, and Montessori schools.
What should the top three priorities for the school board be going into 2014?
In recent years I’ve watched the JeffCo school board make decisions on behalf of our children and tax money. I know that my husband and I have to carefully manage our family’s finances, and I expect the same from our public school system. My top three priorities are:
• Close the achievement gaps
• Increase school choice
• Transparency and accountability
With greater transparency, accountability, and school options we can close achievement gaps and create a streamlined budget.
Ken Witt
Why are you running for the Jeffco School Board?
I have four children, three of whom have graduated from public schools, and one who is at Columbine High School. Jeffco has a strong tradition of excellence, and my children have received a good education in Jeffco schools. I want to ensure every Jeffco student has access to a great education, and that resources are allocated where they will have the most impact on student achievement. I have a strong business and technology background, including as an officer in a public electronics company, Data Race, and as the lead for compliance and information security in some of the largest companies in the Denver area, including Newmont Mining. With this background, I know how to leverage technology while ensuring that we keep student and teacher information safe and accessible by only those in the district who have a direct participation in a child’s education. As a lifelong learner myself, I know what an impact great teachers can have throughout the lives of their students and how critical it is that we recognize and reward great teachers and principals. I want to give back to public education, as it has had such a profound impact on my life and my children’s lives.
Who or what program in the field of education do you consider worthy of listening to or following?
I listen to parents, teachers, and administrators. I will seek to increase the ways that parent input is incorporated in school board decision making. To significantly improve academic success in the Jeffco school district, we can immediately learn what works by looking at long admissions waiting lists in some schools and then replicating successes in those schools and schools with tremendous academic progress such as Stein and Deane elementary.
What should the top three priorities for the school board be going into 2014?
Academics, Access and Accountability:
a. Academics: We must ensure that Jeffco maintains high academic standards, never satisfied to simply comply with state-wide and multi-state standards, but managing curriculum to deliver a high quality education that exceeds the expectations of Jeffco parents.
b. Access: It is incredibly important that we provide access to a high-quality education for all Jeffco students. By working to replicate the programs for which Jeffco families indicate demand and replicating hugely successful programs such as those at Stein and Deane elementary and our nationally-ranked middle and high schools, we will materially improve access to outstanding public education for all Jeffco students.
c. Accountability: We must recognize and reward great teachers and principals, creating a culture of excellence that will attract the best teachers from inside and outside the district. We must maintain a laser focus on the mission of academic excellence, and maintain fiscal accountability in achieving that goal.
