Name: Barbara J. Myers
Age: 59
Address: 4552 Hillview Dr., Carson City
Phone number and campaign Web site: 775
882-8817; bjmyers49@aol.com
Education: BA in English; MS in Business Organizational Management; advanced degree work in Communication Disorders
Profession: School Speech Pathologist, Lyon County School District
Political experience: 3 elected terms-Ventura Unified Board of Education (total of 12 years); 2 elected terms-Nevada State Board of Education (total of 8 years)
Please write a short biography of yourself (you might include such things as birthplace, career, community involvement, family, etc.):
--Public school educator grades K-14 for 36 years. I've taught academic courses, vocational/technology courses and adult education courses. I was not a speech pathologist until 12 years ago.
--Married to Michael for 36 years; two adult children, three grandchildren
--Total of 20 years of public service in elected positions related to public schools. I served as liaison for both the NV State Board of Education to the Homeschool and Special Education Advisory Committees.
--Recognized and honored for state-level work in occupational education
--Advocate for special education
--Active in church activities locally
Have you ever been arrested? If so, when and for what offense? No
Do you have children, and if so do/did they attend Nevada's public school system?
I have grown children ages 32 and 34 who attended all public schools in Ventura, California. My grandchildren live in Michigan. The two that are school-age attend public charter schools in grades Kindergarten and 2nd grade.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
--Working with the Legislature next session, studying and then making needed changes to the education governance model in Nevada.
--Working with Legislature to make changes as to how charter schools are sponsored and supported. Charter schools require close assistance and monitoring to be successful. There is no adequate infrastructure, currently, to assure that success.
--Working with stakeholders to find ways to attract and retain teachers, especially in hard-to-fill areas of special education, math and science. Students do not benefit when districts cannot hire enough highly qualified teachers and then retain those teachers.
How would grade Nevada's public education system (A-F)? What should be the goal of Nevada's education system?
I see things at my schools that suggest we are doing some things at the "A" level. I get reports that show Nevada getting failing grades in other areas. I feel comfortable saying there is room for improvement especially in graduation rates. I believe a mandated, standards-based report card would be very beneficial.
The goal is to challenge children to meet their potential and create opportunities for success. Children reach their potential at different ages. In some cases, that's not until adulthood. Creating a desire for life-long learning is the highest goal we can have for our youth.
Do Nevada's schools need more funding? If so, where should this funding come from?
There was/is a study that was prepared at the request of Nevada's Legislative Committee on School Financing Adequacy in 2006.
That study was to "estimate the cost of an 'adequate' education in Nevada." 'Adequate' was defined as "the cost of meeting state and federal resource requirements and student performance expectations, including those in Nevada's education accountability system and the State's federally-approved plan to comply with NCLB."
If we accept that this report is reasonably accurate, then $231 per student on average was needed back 2003-2004 school year, just to bring Nevada districts to a "successful schools adequacy level".
How can school districts be successful under current budget constraints, which are expected to worsen?
I believe the Legislature cannot ignore the study they asked for on school financing. They must take steps to create more stable funding mechanism that takes into consideration cost differences among districts based on the cost to educate their population of students. It must take into consideration the higher costs to educate special education students, English Language Learner students, and costs associated with size and geographical demographics of individual districts.
Economic challenges are not new. I trust that school districts and local Boards of Education will make necessary cuts that are farthest from the classroom.
Would you support school vouchers, giving parents a choice of where to send their children?
I support parental choice. I've demonstrated that by serving on the Homeschool Advisory Committee and approving State Board-sponsored charter schools. I would like to see more magnet schools, schools-within-a-school, regional vocational schools, and alternative programs focusing on technology.
That said, I support the idea of "school of choice" for everyone. I would not support vouchers that go to private schools that are not required to take all students on a first-come, first-served, basis. I believe private schools exist because of the desire to not have the same requirements/restraints placed on them that are part of the public school system.
Do you believe there is a correlation between teacher pay and the quality of education? Should Nevada teachers be paid more?
I believe there is a direct correlation between teaching salaries and the lower numbers of university completers entering the teaching profession.
If a student has many thousands of dollars of student loans to pay off, they are more likely to look at higher-paying professions.
Example: School-based speech pathologists need a Master's Degree and a year of unpaid clinical work. These students are recruited by medical/rehab facilities paying salaries, to start, twice that of a school-based SLP who have the same education. They are offered six-week vacations and excellent health benefits. They are not, for the most part, taking the school-based jobs.
Why should voters support you rather than your opponent?
I have a proven record of elected, public service over a 20-year period. I've worked in two rural school districts. I know, firsthand, the challenges here in the North.
The State Board has 10 members. 5 are not returning. In the North, there are only two members and one isn't seeking re-election. That means I'm the only member who will have experience going into a legislative year and understands the unique needs of the districts I represent.
I believe I'm the most qualified person with the best understanding of the current issues facing public education at this time of economic challenges.
What are your thoughts on No Child Left Behind? (for example, has it been good for education, should it continue unchanged, etc.)
NCLB had bi-partisan support. Everyone wants achievement and accountability to be linked together.
Was it the best plan from the beginning? No. Was/is it flawed? Yes.
Has it changed how schools/districts/states do business? Definitely.
I support a growth-model that looks at every child and his/her individual progress over time. NCLB has never looked at performance at the individual "child" level. Achievement is measured at school level, district level, and state level. So, some individual children are being left behind.
Changes do need to be made and some have already started. Sixteen states now being allowed to use a growth model.
Should the State Board of Education do more to encourage and support charter schools? Why?
I believe the Board should actively seek out charter schools with proven track records or proven models. At the same time, the Board needs to identify charters that are new and innovative and support those, too.
Charter schools are public schools. They should receive the same support as any other public school. Likewise, they have to be held to the same academic and achievement levels as other schools. They have unique technical assistance needs that aren't adequately funded. The Legislature must look at those needs and identify resources to meet the needs.
Why should voters support you rather than your opponent?
Over eight years, I've proven that I have the interest and ability to deal effectively and fairly with many different constituencies on many different education issues. Those include charter school applicants, school district personnel, homeschool parents, special education groups, vocational education educators, higher education personnel, and legislators from my District.
If voters look at my record they'll see I consistently vote based on the information provided. I'm persuasive when I need to be, and I'm not afraid of disagreeing when I need to. I always want my vote to reflect the best decision I could possibly make given all the relevant information.
What else would you like to say to voters about your qualifications and ideas?
One word describes me: Dedicated.
I've missed one meeting in eight years and that was to witness the birth of my third grandchild last year.
I have never accepted any monetary contribution for an election campaign. I've been elected five times and have not spent any funds, including my own (only filing fee).
I've been successful because I listen. I make decisions after all the input is presented. I read everything I receive. I respond to all phone calls and emails. If I accept an invitation to speak or attend a meeting, I show up and participate.