Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Rebecca McClellan - #lakewoodnews

About McClellan: The Centennial resident has worked in banking and is a former small business owner. She served on the Centennial City Council for eight years, with a term as mayor pro tem.

More information: Rebecca@McClellanforColorado.com; 303-956-2845; www.McClellanforColorado.com

Why should voters choose you for this office?

If elected, I will be the only member of the state board of education with a child in public school. I am a longtime supporter of public education, serving as council liaison to public schools while a city councilmember and mayor pro tem. I believe every child deserves the kind of high-quality public education my children are receiving so they can be well prepared for college or career.

Describe an accomplishment that best illustrates your effectiveness as a leader.

While serving as city council liaison to the Cherry Creek School District, I worked with state legislators to develop and pass measures to improve school funding. I worked with Bicycle Colorado to deliver Safe Routes to Schools to our local schools. I'm proud to have supported our school resource officers for campus safety. Collaborating with partners to accomplish better outcomes for students is essential, and I am a proven collaborator.

What is the biggest problem faced by public K-12 education in Colorado and how would you help solve it?

Our greatest challenge is to ensure that every child in Colorado has access to the resources they need to become well prepared for college or career. I will be a strong advocate for smarter public education funding --; especially increasing transparency, reducing administrative bloat and routing our tax dollars to the classroom, where they belong. Great schools are essential to a strong economy. I want to see every part of Colorado enjoy great schools and the high-wage jobs that follow.

What is your stance on the proliferation of charter schools in Colorado?

I support local neighborhood public schools. While most chartering decisions are made at the local level, the state board of education has judicial review for appeals. Local input, including the input of local elected school board members, is important to consider when weighing an appeal. Rubber stamping questionable applications against the will of local stakeholders is a practice I would reverse in this seat. Tax credits or vouchers for private schools can also drain resources from our neighborhood schools, and I do not support these costly schemes.

Is there too much standardized testing of Colorado students?

Steps to reduce standardized testing have helped, and we must remain responsive to students, parents, teachers and community members regarding the impact of standardized testing on the learning process. I support the hub and spoke committees as they work to provide input for Colorado's interpretation of ESSA. I am a public school parent who will listen to public input as we work to ensure that every child can become well prepared for college or career.



from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.com/stories/Rebecca-McClellan,237661

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