League of Women Voters of St Louis Information Service
	Saint Louis City, MO April 7, 2009 Election
	Candidates Answer Questions on the Issues Member Board of Education; Saint Louis City School District

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Saint Louis and asked of all candidates for this office.     See below for questions on Qualification, Priorities Click on a name for candidate information.   See also more information about this contest. 1. What are your Qualifications for Office? (50 word limit) Answer from Chad Beffa: I am the St. Louis Public Schools Parent Assembly Governmental Affairs Officer, Kennard CJA PTO Board Treasurer, father of two SLPS children, husband to a SLPS teacher and have read all major contracts and policy statements the SLPS is engaged in. I have testified for over 30 education bills. Answer from William Monroe, Jr.: I have been an educational activist in the city of St. Louis for over 10 years. I am a certified board member (CBM) + trained by the Missouri School Boards' Association - (RSMo 162.203) I am an experienced school developer, experienced in the development of a school budget, and facilitator in the long-range development plan for the St. Louis Public Schools. I am a member of the Mayor's Taskforce on Youth Development. I have been a monitor of elected board and SAB board meetings for over 10 years. I desire to improve the St. Louis Public Schools educational system. Answer from Derek Craft: My passion for learning, and my ability and experiences of being involved in the community as a volunteer football coach for over 25 years. The ability to engage and teach youngsters of all ethnicities and social economic backgrounds. Answer from Emile R. Bradford-Taylor: I am a parent of a student at Metropolitan High. I have been a registered nurse for almost thirty years and I have been a school nurse for almost ten years serving able and disabled children and families. I have advocated for my daughter and other children with the support of the elected school board. I believe in magnet school quality education for all our students. Answer from Rebecca L. Rogers: I am a Professor of Education at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. I have spent much time in SLPS as a teacher educator. I understand the complexity of teaching and learning and the national/state policies that guide decisions. I am an elected board member of two national educational organizations. 2. What plans do you have to address your top three priorities? (50 word limit) Answer from Chad Beffa: 1. I would offer a comprehensive plan showing community schools as a reality is in the best interest of the St. Louis Public Schools and St. Louis. 2. I plan to compile the numbers needed to show successful expansion of the magnet programs could be a reality as well. I know we have enough loss in student body in the Project Construct model and the gifted programs to warrant these actions immediately. 3. I would seek to be privy to appointed board meetings as a recognized member of the elected board to insure all pertinent information is known to provide the orderly transition. Answer from Rebecca L. Rogers: 1. I will work with other community leaders to develop a visionary plan for full service community schools. As social and economic hubs of neighborhoods, community schools can address many of the issues that are needed for achieving district accreditation. 2. As a Board member, I will recruit and retain exemplary teachers who know their content and also know how to teach. I will do this by making decisions guided by research and professional development, mentoring new teachers and recognizing teachers who are role models. 3. I will advocate for smaller class sizes, more instructional time and a multicultural, technologically rich curriculum. Answer from Emile R. Bradford-Taylor: - Take monies from Obama's Bailout funds and restore lost programs and services to the schools. For example, after school programs, after school transportation social services, advanced studies and placement supports - Support teachers and teaching staff in a living contract that supports their employment and profession. Support parents and children as a unit, not child versus parent. Parental support to include community school resources, Parent-liaison and outreach workers--respectful of each parent's level, style and needs as a result of support for the students. Answer from Derek Craft: I will engage parents, students and the community in the awareness of Civics, Education and Economics. Answer from William Monroe, Jr.: 1. Facilitate and organize the transition of the transfer of the responsibility from the Special Administration Board back to the elected board and at the same time demand legislative hearings on the impact of predatory charter school management companies who violate laws and procedures in the State of Missouri. 2. Form liaisons with teachers, students, community, business organizations, and local, state and federal governments to improve the St. Louis Public Schools and achieve accreditation. 3. Formulate and create community vocational/technical career centers that currently do not exist in the St. Louis area; in an effort to prepare our children for the world of work and to be in place for the reception of monies approved by President Barack Obama. Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Word limits apply for each question. Direct references to opponents are not permitted. The order of the candidates is random and changes daily. Candidates who did not respond are not listed on this page.