• Licensed teacher, BS in chemistry and math education, MS in educational psychology
• Wife of Ed Buffie and mother of two MCCSC students
• School volunteer for 9 years
• Resident of Monroe County for 12 years
• Peace Corps Volunteer science teacher in Kenya, faculty research appointments at Yale and Vanderbilt Universities, program development at the Wharton School of Business (University of Pennsylvania)
• Effectively lobbied Indiana legislators to expand health insurance coverage

• Every decision should be driven by what is best for students because they are our first priority
• All students can learn - it is both our responsibility and our obligation to ensure that happens

• Staff development that focuses on implementing research-based educational initiatives
• Professionalize departments, seeking staff input to improve staff morale and student outcomes
• Healthier students through increased opportunities for exercise, improved nutrition and expanded substance abuse programs
• A Strategic Plan that incorporates scientifically-based initiatives as they apply to school discipline and anti-bullying programs
• Expand community involvement to improve educational opportunities for all students
• Free text books supported by the state
• Reduce the drop-out rate, increase the graduation rate, enhance special education and improve student literacy

1. Reading is a critical skill in our society. I think we should ensure that we have a variety of research-based reading programs in place to help our students. Approximately 20 percent of all students have difficulty learning to read. And, students who lack the proper pre-reading skills in kindergarten and first grade need to be identified and receive appropriate instruction. This needs to be followed up with reading programs which fit the learning styles of specific students, meaning we should not rely on a single method of reading instruction.


2. MCCSC is currently operating without a strong strategic plan. I would like to work with other board members, MCCSC administrators, faculty, parents, students and community members to develop a strong strategic plan. One of the ways to work with this broad group of people is to survey these various stakeholders to determine their priorities. I would also like to see research-based educational initiatives reviewed and implemented. For example, I would like to see MCCSC implement an anti-bullying program, one which has been shown to be effective in other schools.


3. We need to decrease the drop-out rate and increase the graduation rate. One of the reasons students drop out is a lack of success in school. Instituting better reading programs from kindergarten through high school would increase the success of MCCSC students, leading to a decrease the drop out rate. It would also increase the graduation rate because more students would pass the 10th grade ISTEP+ Exam (Graduate Qualifying Exam or GQE). Accepting diversity and encouraging students to participate in school activities also leads to lower drop out rates. It�s time to do exit surveys on students who drop out of school to learn why students are leaving school and attempt to develop programs to counteract the problems. It's also time to do exit testing of students who drop out of school to determine if they are able to perform at grade level. If such students are leaving due to inadequate educational success, then we need to identify such students much earlier and develop appropriate programs in an effort to keep them in school. Students are more likely to succeed in environments where they feel good about themselves and where they feel safe. I therefore propose developing a strong anti-bullying program augmented by the presence of behavioral specialists to work with our teachers.

• First, there are seven board members who must work together - no one person can dictate what will happen. The school board serves as the representatives of our community when it comes to devising district-wide policy. The school board is the governing body for MCCSC and directly oversees the superintendent.


• At a personal level, I would like to see more community involvement in issues addressed by the school board. I would like the board to host quarterly forums for parents and other community members to openly discuss issues.

• For many years there has been a push within Indiana to provide free text books provided by the state. Indiana is one of only 10 states still imposing a text-book rental fee. This issue is currently being reviewed by the Indiana State Supreme Court, but if the State Supreme Court does not rule that the state is to provide free textbooks, I would work with other school board members from around the state to push for legislation in this area. Such an initiative was supported by Governor O�Bannon several years ago. Approximately 6 years ago MCCSC, with tremendous support from the teachers� union, led a state-wide effort to provide free school books. Maybe it is time to revisit this area. If so, I would be happy to lend my time, energy and experience to such an effort. Several years ago I spearheaded lobbying efforts to change state health insurance laws. I worked with individuals from around the state, as well as with state legislators, to get this legislation passed. One of the reasons I think the lobbying efforts were successful is the background work I did: I collected information on the relevant health insurance laws in all 50 states. When I say I do my homework, I can back it up with examples like this.


• I have also been involved in educational program development at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. One of the things I did while working on this program was to look at what was offered by other programs, how we could improve upon those programs and unique features of the University of Pennsylvania that would make that possible. I think MCCSC would benefit from following a similar protocol to look at what other, more successful, school districts are doing.


• I believe in diversity in all its manifestations. As an undergraduate, I spent one semester in Arizona, doing volunteer work with an American Indiana organization. As part of my training, I did my student teaching at Gary Roosevelt High School in Gary, Indiana. Upon graduation I was asked to apply for a position in Gary, but opted instead to go into the Peace Corps as a chemistry and math teacher in Kenya. Right now I do volunteer work with the adapted martial arts program at the Monroe County YMCA, helping students with special needs.


• I have spent hundreds of hours volunteering in our schools. My volunteer activities are very broad, ranging from organizing parties to chaperoning field trips to volunteering weekly in elementary school classrooms to high school math tutoring. I have also given my time to the elementary school strings program, in part due to my profound respect for Juli Enzinger. My latest volunteer effort has been with the Jackson Creek Middle School cross country team, assisting coaches Dan Kennedy and Jeannie Hearne. This is one of the ways I have met so many wonderful teachers, students and families in this district.


• Finally, in several of my previous jobs I have created and overseen budgets. There were times when unanticipated changes in the budgets had to be made without increasing spending but still complying with granting agency guidelines. This is very similar to what the school district faces annually: Allocation of limited resources within federal and state guidelines while still achieving stated goals.

• I think it is a fabulous program. I think it is also a great fit with the new science initiative being undertaken by MCCSC. I look forward to supporting the continuation of this program and working with area businesses on ways to expand this great program.

• There is currently a committee of community members looking at redistricting within MCCSC. I look forward to reading the committee's report and hearing the community's reaction the committee's recommendations. As a school board member, I would review the report of the community committee, listen to community input and then address the issues raised by the report. I think the most important thing here, though, is that I will listen to all sides before casting my vote. I hope whatever redistricting occurs causes as little disruption as possible for students and families.

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