Vote for Dr. Carole Lee
Fontana Unified School District Board on November 6, 2012
P.O. Box 1707
Fontana, CA 92334
(909) 609-5754
Questions and Answers from Dr. Lee...
1. Why should you elect me?
Fontana voters should elect me because of my lifetime commitment to ensuring the highest quality education for every student in our schools. Building on this background, my agenda will focus on identifying opportunities to improve the instructional program and to increase the success of each student, including those who have been underserved. Optimizing learning for all will improve the quality of life for our students and the entire Fontana community. In addition, citizens should elect me because of my proven commitment to our community. This has been demonstrated throughout my extensive years of service to Fontana students as a volunteer, a teacher and an administrator, and I have also served the entire community for more than a decade as a Planning Commissioner. Not only do I possess the heart and the energy for this role, but I also have extensive education and experience as an educator that will be invaluable. Students, parents, teachers and the whole community will find me more than ready to work collaboratively with entire board in the relentless pursuit of educational opportunity for every student.
2. What are your three main goals as a member of the school Board?
One of my main goals will be to improve the quality of education for all our students and close the achievement gaps that exist. We must increase students’ opportunities for higher education and work beyond high school. I will work collaboratively with students, parents, staff and the entire community to achieve this goal.
Another main focus will be to work with my colleagues on the board, our educational team and the community to ensure that every student is guaranteed a safe learning environment, one free of intimidation, bullying, gang and drug activities which negatively impact students' motivation, educational growth and performance.
My third principal goal will be to optimize the use of every resource to provide high quality educational program instruction and, when needed, intervention to every student, including those who have been historically underserved. This includes improving programs for English Learners and students in special education.
3. How will you benefit our community?
I will benefit our community by dedicating myself to ensuring success for every student, including those with exceptional needs and our English Learners. As a member of this community, I will work collaboratively with my colleagues to foster a culture or moral and ethical leadership throughout every school and work environment. I will also benefit Fontana by treating students, parents, staff and community members with dignity and respect, and by being truthful and transparent in every interaction inside and outside of our schools.
4. What changes are you planning on making?
As part of the leadership team, I plan to request evaluation of every facet of the instructional program, and to encourage honest, constructive reporting of results with the goal of improving student learning. In addition, I plan to partner with my colleagues on the board, students, parents, staff and the community to know and use the results from current practice to increase the use of differentiated instruction, thereby ensuring that all students receive high quality instruction and intervention based on their individual needs. Further, I believe that there is a need to address issues related to the current culture and climate of our district with the goal of improving the relationships essential to student success.
5. Why do you think you are the best person for the job?
I am the best person for job because my entire life is dedicated to ensuring student success. Beginning as a parent volunteer, I have continuously worked to develop relationships and obtain education and experience to benefit our children. With my background in Fontana schools, including experience as a community volunteer, teacher and administrator, I have a broad perspective on teaching and learning, from every viewpoint. My relationships at every level are my greatest assets, and I will continue to develop and expand that network. My respect for every human being in our community is another strength I bring to the job. I know that the only way to a brighter future is to foster a sense that achieving the common good depends on honoring and respecting individual needs, beliefs and goals. Our diversity is our strength. Educating every child requires strong relationships among students, parents, teachers and the community. I am the best person because I know that we will close the achievement gaps and achieve success for all children by giving everyone a voice in the process of school improvement. I also have extensive experience in school finance, and would ensure that every resource, human and otherwise, is strategically allocated to achieve our mission regardless of the current economic situation. As a board member, I will support review of our mission, goals and vision to ensure their alignment to the learning standards students must achieve to be successful in school and beyond.
I have experience at every level, from Pre-K through 12th grade, General and Special Education, and in higher education. As a parent, I was active in school site councils at several schools. More recently, I was one of many people instrumental in the development of Cal-PASS, the statewide network responsible for implementing the state’s common student identification system and for increasing the use of data to improve instruction. I have taught statistics at California State University, and I have supervised student teachers and graduate students. I will also bring fresh ideas, a well-rounded background and global perspective. In pursuit of the dream that every person can learn for life, I have obtained extensive education myself beyond high school, including my doctorate in education and have participated in many workshops and conferences. My continued training and research remains focused on the factors that influence teaching and learning, and I am especially sensitive to the achievement gaps that exist among our students. I am also active in the Fontana community. In addition to volunteer work with youth groups and the Fontana Library Foundation, I have also served on the Fontana Planning Commission for over a decade. I have learned from every experience, and will bring an open mind and a caring heart to the work. I am dedicated to leading our district forward, and to moving Fontana schools from good to GREAT!
6. How are you planning to balance the budget?
We are facing many difficult decisions financially, and our challenges far exceed balancing the budget. Of course, we must continue to evaluate every program, making essential instructional and intervention programs our top priority. This has not ever been easy, but has become even more crucial in the current economic climate. In the context of diminished revenues, we cannot have competition for funds, either by people or by programs. By operating within sound, legal fiscal practices, and by strategically allocating every resource, including staff, we can create a balanced working budget that ensures the delivery of high quality instruction, and the achievement of every student. Decisions to reduce anything are always tough, but if every voice needed is brought to the table, including students, we can continue to keep the impact of the economic crisis as far away from the classroom as possible.
7. What motivated you to run for the Fontana Unified School Board?
Quite simply, my motivation to run for the Fontana Unified School Board is the culmination of a lifetime of involvement in our schools, and my demonstrated commitment to student success. I am a strong advocate for students and families, and I am motivated to work together with the entire Fontana schools' team and the broader community to make increased achievement a reality for every student, every day. I know the challenges we are facing, and I am prepared to evaluate programs, make any necessary changes, and continue moving our district forward. I am also motivated by confidence based on the dedication of Fontana parents, staff and the larger community to our children. We have a strong history of working together, and we have experienced a steady though modest trend of improved results. Our children’s future and the health of this community depend on creating even more powerful learning environments. We must do more. We must do better. We have improved our schools over the past decade. I am motivated to support our children and help them to achieve at even higher levels, and I believe that we can accomplish this together.
8. What final message do you have to the citizens of Fontana?
Ron Edmonds reminded us that together, we can teach every child whose education is important to us, and that means every child. Much has been said about the achievement gaps that exist among our students, especially those who have been historically underserved. Let’s work together to create stronger schools, where effective instruction and intervention leads to increased student achievement. My voice for our children will demand the very best. We may not always agree about the changes needed, or the means for making those changes, but I will tirelessly strive to create a climate of mutual trust and cooperation, and civil discourse focused on meeting our challenges. I will tirelessly strive to ensure a climate of truth and transparency, I will continue to be accessible and accountable, and I will nurture these values throughout the entire school community. My vision is to be part of a school board that is respectful, responsive and responsible to the children and the families we serve. Our children are the gifts we send into a future we will cannot see or possibly even imagine, yet. Let’s work together to make sure those precious gifts are prepared, lifelong learners with everything they need to be vital, educated adults in that future. In November, vote for Carole Lee, a parent, grandparent and educator dedicated to our children.
Vote for Carole Lee!
