Some of the challenges: facing our district -

1. Uncertainty of State funding for schools (directly affects class size).

The bulk of our classroom funding (59%) comes from the state in the form of the 'general fund'. Every odd year (2005, 2007...) the legislature meets and determines a biennial (two year) budget. In 2005, the K-12 budget increase was 4%, in 2007, the K-12 budget increase was 2%. Looking at just two expenses - health care and heating - it's clear that a 2% increase is not enough to hold schools harmless from cuts. This Star Tribune editorial sums up the problem. Here is a historical look at the ups and downs of the K-12 General Education Formula (General Ed Formula History, 1991-2007).

Inadequate state funding can also spur increases in property taxes - the Minnesota School Board Association survey shows 100 out of 341 of Minnesota's public school districts will have referendum initiatives on the ballot in November 2007. (St. Louis Park will not).

Check here for a look at state funding vs. property taxes from 2003-2007.

I support the omnibus bills passed by our legislators this past May, which would have increased income taxes of the top 1% of Minnesota's earners, and provided property tax relief and K-12 General Ed funding. I also support the Growth & Justice "Invest For Real Prosperity" initiative.

2. Unfunded Federal Mandates

• No Child Left Behind. I support the formula of the National Conference of State Legislatures. Simply put: Fund it, make it fair.

• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Authorized in 1975, reauthorized in 2004, provides access to a free, quality education to children with disabilities. The federal law included a commitment to pay 40% of the average student cost, but has failed to do so. The national average reimbursement is at 17%. Fund it.

3. High Student Achievement

I attended an achievement gap meeting featuring Arthur Reynolds of the University of Minnesota last month. His presentation focused on the outcomes of a 2005 study of Chicago Public Schools.

In summary, the best practices for closing the achievement gap, in order of effectiveness are:

1. High Quality Preschool

2. Student Mobility / Stability

3. Teacher quality / Instruction

4. Parent Involvement

5. Small Class Sizes

6. All Day Kindergarten

• As your school board representative, I would have direct responsibility and will advocate for teacher quality and instruction, small class sizes and all day kindergarten.

• High Quality preschool is available through St. Louis Park's Lifelong Learning program, and is essential to closing the gap. As your school board representative, I will advocate for sufficient space for the program, early identification of at-risk children, and ease of placement for those children.

• I would look to our partnership with the city and the state to address student mobility.

• Parent involvement could be increased with the inclusion of a parent support center in each school, or in a centralized location. This would be a opportunity for parents to find support, inclusion, education, language instruction and homework help.

4. Open Communication

I will provide an open line of communication to the parents and citizens of the community. In times of potential conflict or controversy, the best course of action is providing timely, accurate and factual information.