OCCUPATIONAL BACKGROUND: None listed

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: 1977 Graduate of Jefferson High School

PRIOR GOVERNMENTAL EXPERIENCE: Current member of the Jefferson School District 14J School Board; Former member of the Jefferson High School Site Council

As in any school, the two main issues are quality of education and the cost of such. During my term, we have had to make many difficult choices in cuts due to decreased funding. I will continue to step up and offer my suggestions and listen to others objectively. This is a tough time for education, but if we all stick together and think of what is best for the kids, we’ll survive just fine. We need to continue to look at alternative opportunities for funding, such as grants that are available through corporations, government agencies, etc. We need to be sure that Jefferson is receiving and applying for their fair share.

I believe that parents and non-parent community members need to be more involved in our schools. It is everyones’ best interest to make the public schools an effective place to learn and grow.

It is not just some philosophical idea. A child out there somewhere WILL make a difference in your life. It is up to you whether that difference is positive or negative. It won’t matter if you have a child in school or not.

(This information furnished by Ron Cairns