Lori Blodorn
For Menomonee Falls School Board
For Menomonee Falls School Board
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Issues
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E-mail: lori@blodorn.net
Phone: 293-3960
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Lori Blodorn for Menomonee Falls School Board
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E-mail: lori@blodorn.net
Phone: 293-3960
Follow the campaign and post comments on Facebook:
Lori Blodorn for Menomonee Falls School Board
Share this page with your network:
The Menomonee Falls School District faces many challenges in providing the high quality education that a great community deserves. Following are some of the issues I believe will be important for the next Board to address, and how I would approach those issues as a Board Member.
Strategic Plan
Over the next few years, this School Board will have to make very difficult decisions on issues that are more complex than most citizens realize. A quality 21st century education that meets the needs of a generation of students that literally has the whole world at their fingertips will require that we fundamentally change our approach to how we teach our kids. Our first step is truly to understand our mission. Where are we going, how do we keep the education system relevant to our students? We must innovate our way forward to successfully answer those questions.
I have heard from many parents concerned that decisions being made lack a comprehensive plan and are being made with a "piecemeal" approach. I am proud to be serving on the Strategic Planning group and I believe that we must use the results of that process to ensure that our decisions -- and frankly, any budgetary cuts -- are consistent with our mission.
Communication
We are a busy and active community, challenged with the reality of working harder and trying to provide for our families and our kids. I understand the limited ability that members of our community have to be deeply informed in the decisions being made by the Administration and the School Board. There simply isn't enough time in the day.
I have been very engaged with the Administration and with members of our School Board, urging that we simply must find new ways to reach out to the community. The community deserves to fully understand, and be convinced, that our decisions represent good policy for our district. As the Board takes on difficult issues, we must approach these decisions by making our families and our community partners in the process. I believe part of the Board's responsibility will be to get out into the community in a well publicized and formal way, from public forums, to town hall style meetings, particularly when it is about to confront an important decision. The Board should also take advantage of the new ways that people communicate, through the Internet and social media, as these channels can bring more ideas and perspectives to the policy dialogue.
Budget Issues
We can not kid ourselves, our schools are facing a budget deficit and we will have difficult financial decisions ahead. This is not uncommon around our state and our country right now. No one wants to make cuts, or raise the property tax levy. However, the challenge is real. Our district faces the added challenge of a declining enrollment.
Even as we face budget cuts, we must continue to invest in areas that will further our mission and are consistent with our Strategic Plan. We must add to the programs that are central to our mission and trim in areas that are not. I believe our students must have a well-rounded education that is personalized to their individual needs.
I also believe that our Administration, our School Board and our teachers need to work more collaboratively. Our teachers see day to day what they need to make learning work better for our kids, and their input is critical.
Finally, I believe that the District and the School Board should strongly advocate for school funding reform at the state level. Some of our budget problems are the result of a bad economy, but some of these problems are systemic. We must work with other School Boards around the state to send a clear message about what Wisconsin schools need, and what Madison needs to do to ensure high quality, fair education for all children.
Strategic Plan
Over the next few years, this School Board will have to make very difficult decisions on issues that are more complex than most citizens realize. A quality 21st century education that meets the needs of a generation of students that literally has the whole world at their fingertips will require that we fundamentally change our approach to how we teach our kids. Our first step is truly to understand our mission. Where are we going, how do we keep the education system relevant to our students? We must innovate our way forward to successfully answer those questions.
I have heard from many parents concerned that decisions being made lack a comprehensive plan and are being made with a "piecemeal" approach. I am proud to be serving on the Strategic Planning group and I believe that we must use the results of that process to ensure that our decisions -- and frankly, any budgetary cuts -- are consistent with our mission.
Communication
We are a busy and active community, challenged with the reality of working harder and trying to provide for our families and our kids. I understand the limited ability that members of our community have to be deeply informed in the decisions being made by the Administration and the School Board. There simply isn't enough time in the day.
I have been very engaged with the Administration and with members of our School Board, urging that we simply must find new ways to reach out to the community. The community deserves to fully understand, and be convinced, that our decisions represent good policy for our district. As the Board takes on difficult issues, we must approach these decisions by making our families and our community partners in the process. I believe part of the Board's responsibility will be to get out into the community in a well publicized and formal way, from public forums, to town hall style meetings, particularly when it is about to confront an important decision. The Board should also take advantage of the new ways that people communicate, through the Internet and social media, as these channels can bring more ideas and perspectives to the policy dialogue.
Budget Issues
We can not kid ourselves, our schools are facing a budget deficit and we will have difficult financial decisions ahead. This is not uncommon around our state and our country right now. No one wants to make cuts, or raise the property tax levy. However, the challenge is real. Our district faces the added challenge of a declining enrollment.
Even as we face budget cuts, we must continue to invest in areas that will further our mission and are consistent with our Strategic Plan. We must add to the programs that are central to our mission and trim in areas that are not. I believe our students must have a well-rounded education that is personalized to their individual needs.
I also believe that our Administration, our School Board and our teachers need to work more collaboratively. Our teachers see day to day what they need to make learning work better for our kids, and their input is critical.
Finally, I believe that the District and the School Board should strongly advocate for school funding reform at the state level. Some of our budget problems are the result of a bad economy, but some of these problems are systemic. We must work with other School Boards around the state to send a clear message about what Wisconsin schools need, and what Madison needs to do to ensure high quality, fair education for all children.