School Board Candidate
About
I was born in St. Joseph, but raised in Europe and all over our United States as the daughter of a career Army soldier. I had the opportunity to live in St. Joseph when my father was stationed at Ft. Leavenworth, KS. I finished my 8th grade year at Robidoux Middle School, and my freshman, sophomore, and half of my junior years at Lafayette High School. My husband and I moved to St. Joseph 43 years ago to raise our family here. I am a 34 year educator who continues to work after retirement in the Savannah R3 School District. My husband is retired from the St. Joseph Fire Department after serving for 38 years. I have a daughter and son-in-law who teach in the SJSD, a daughter who is a nurse in the SJSD, and grandchildren who attend the SJSD.
* 1990 Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education from Missouri Western State College
* 1995 Masters Degree in Elementary Administration from Northwest Missouri State University
* 1996 Middle School Certification from Northwest Missouri State University
Our Candidate Summary
Socially Moderate
These assessments are based on the answers or lack of answers supplied by the candidates. The Candidate’s responses indicate a socially moderate.
Tami on the Issues
Why have you decided to run for the Saint Joseph School Board?
I have a passion for kids, and a passion for public education! Both have been my life’s work! The SJSD BOE needs order and decorum, and I can bring both of those to the Board along with a vast amount of experience in education, and a vast amount of school board experience. I was elected to the SJSD BOE in 2016, and then overwhelming re-elected again in 2019. “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up.” Gal. 6:9. That is my scripture for this election! I am not ready to give up on the SJSD! I am ready to get back to work! I am excited to see how the Lord blesses the harvest that our hard work will reap for the district over the next few years!
What are the strengths you will bring to the school board?
I have taught 19 years at the elementary level, 7 years at the middle school level, and am currently in my fifth year teaching at the high school level. Having taught at all levels of public education will bring a valuable perspective to the Board. Also, to be currently teaching every day in the classroom will add insight to the Board of the challenges in today’s classrooms. I was fortunate in my career to work with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in the area of curriculum and assessment. I trained teachers how to help their students raise their test scores. My own students always scored above … usually well above … the state average on state testing. I bring that knowledge to the Board at a time when it is imperative that the SJSD work on raising student test scores. I was blessed in my career to be the voice of Missouri teachers as I served as President of the Missouri State Teachers Association. It is an association … not a union … with 44,000 members across our state. I worked with DESE, the State Board of Education, and the Missouri Legislature to write policy and legislation for Missouri’s public schools. I am familiar with both policies and legislation that impact public schools. This is my 31st year to work with local and state legislators to improve public education in Missouri. I have 6 years of experience as a SJSD School Board member. I served one year as Vice President, and my last two years as President of the Board. I have 92 hrs. of school board training through the Missouri School Boards Association. I will bring a vast amount of experience in public education and a vast amount of school board member experience to the SJSD BOE.
What can be done to address the poor English proficiency and Math Proficiency scores that are being generated by kids in our school system? English scores reflect that students are only 32% proficient and math scores are coming in at 38% proficient --- both below the state average.
The Academic Services Department has to be very intentional in making sure that the Missouri Show-Me Standards for each grade level for grades 3-8 and the End of Course Standards for high school are taught and reviewed on a regular basis as part of the curriculum throughout the school year. The administration in the Academic Services Dept. Is only on their second year, but already things are improving! We need to retain our quality teachers in order for growth to happen in academics, too. As an educator with a background in curriculum and assessment, this will be a top priority for me as a Board member!
Where do you stand on the 4-day/week school schedule proposal?
As an educator, I have done research on how the 4-day school week impacts academics. I have found that research supports that the 4-day school week does not positively nor negatively impact academics. Because of those results, I am some what comfortable discussing the 4-day school week for the purpose of recruitment and retention of quality staff. The math teacher in me wants to see more data on recruiting and retaining staff. A written, detailed plan is imperative insure that it will be good for kids and good for our teachers, and to share with parents and the community. Missouri ranks 50th in teacher salary in our country. That is not acceptable! While we are working with our state legislature to change that, we need to do what we can to change that which might mean thinking outside of the box. I would welcome the discussion of any idea(s) that does not jeopardize the academics of our students.
Do you understand the District's Annual Budget, and what are your plans to get your arms around the details of that budget and evaluate where and how Tax taxpayer dollars are being spent?
Yes, I understand school finance and school budget. I learned how to read a school budget 31 years ago when I became active in teacher leadership, and then specifically familiar with the SJSD finances/budget 8 yrs ago when I first became a Board member. As a math teacher, numbers do not scare me. I do my homework. I am known as one who will ask the hard questions.
Where do you stand on the proposed Bond Renewal of $20 million when the District Administration has no impactful plan to utilize that money to better educate our children? Passing that bond issue would cost the taxpayers 26 cents per $100 of access property value- approximately $3.2 million annually.
I fully support Proposition St. Joseph Schools! It is a NO TAX INCREASE bond for capital improvements that are needed in the district. Your question says it “has no impactful plan to utilize that money to better educate our children” but part of the plan is to expand Hosea Elementary School, for Fine Arts upgrades, and for Science and technology improvements. If the bond doesn’t pass, the money for these improvements will need to be taken out of the operating budget which will take away from funds that normally would pay for classroom instruction, supplies, etc. This bond is part of a proposed long range plan for the SJSD. I encourage everyone to VOTE YES for Prop St. Joseph Schools!
What is your position on general levy Tax increases to increase the school district's annual budget?
I would support tax levies for specific school district needs. I would support in the very near future a tax levy for staff salaries.
What is your position on the current redistricting proposal?
The current redistricting proposal has been tabled. I would not support any redistricting proposal that did not include what the future of high schools in the SJSD will be.
What is your position on the proposal to build one or two new high schools replacing the three older facilities that currently exist?
I support building two new high schools. District enrollment supports two high schools, not three.
What is your approach to school safety? What is your position on metal detectors, security guards, and safety training for our teachers and administrators?
School safety is of utmost importance and should be a priority of the Board. Teacher and administrators currently receive safety training. When I was previously on the Board, we approved positions at the high schools for security monitors to patrol the halls. I would be open to approving those same positions for the middle schools if administration feels they are needed. I believe that metal detectors have been added for entrances to ballgames, and I would support them being added to the regular school day upon recommendation by the Administration.
How do you feel about the current approach to special education within the school district?
The current Special Services Department has recently been divided into three separate areas … Early Childhood, Special Education, and English Language Learners. I think this reorganization will allow for the district to better meet the needs of these students.
What do you see as the most significant challenges teachers face within the district?
Behavior and student attendance are the most significant challenges our teachers face within the district. These are not just St. Joseph problems. These are state and national problems. These are societal problems. Parents have to get involved. I have ideas!
Would you encourage the introduction of materials into the school system based on Critical Race Theory (CRT) and other "woke" ideologies?
No. CRT has been taught at the college level since the 1960’s and that’s where I feel it is most appropriate.
What is your position on notifying parents if a child is considering something harmful to their bodies – whether it is gender-related or other? What will you do about the current movement to limit a parent's involvement?
Parents should be notified.
Any additional information?
There are three positions on the SJSD BOE to fill. You could fill one of those positions with a person who has a vast amount of experience in education, and a vast amount of school board experience. With me there will not be the large learning curve that comes with being a new school board member. I will be ready to hit the ground running! VOTE TAMI PASLEY ON APRIL 2.