A week after the reelection of two longtime school board members, the candidates are ready to get back to work.
With their reelections, board Vice President Mary Jo Burchart and Secretary Tina Peterson will both start their third four-year term at the beginning of July. The pair said they are looking forward to working on behalf, once again, for the children of Lake Orion.
According to Burchart, the biggest focus of the coming year will be to begin working with a new superintendent.
‘Even though Mr. Gutman is well known in the district, there are always adjustments and changes to be made when a new superintendent begins work,? she said. ‘There will also be administrative positions to fill by Mr. Gutman.?
‘If there is anyway I can help to make the transition as smooth as possible with the fewest disruptions to the district, I will be glad to assist,? Burchart added. ‘A smooth transition is best for the staff and the students.?
Peterson agreed with Burchart, noting that making a smooth transition with the new superintendent and filling ‘key positions? around the district with the right people are important tasks for the next year.
‘We all work together to make Lake Orion the best it can be for all students,? she added.
Both Burchart and Peterson noted the board needs to take a look at policies and making sure current changes in those align with the current administrative guidelines, as well as identifying future district goals and creating a plan to achieve them.
‘We have discussed having meetings to look at this when the new superintendent begins,? Burchart said. ‘Another area that we as a board talked about is improving our communication with all of our constituents. That includes staff, parents, students and other community members.?
‘I am confident that we can come up with a plan that increases the two-way flow of communication,? she added.
The budget was also another topic of concern for the pair, and as Peterson said ‘keep the district solvent and maintain programs.?
For Burchart, the budget also plays into her belief that the district needs to focus on ‘innovative curriculum that has been tested and proven successful.?
‘We cannot allow financial constraints to shift our primary focus from educating students to budget cuts,? she said. ‘We have to find ways to shift dollars from unsuccessful programs so as not to spend more than we have, but all the while making every effort to do what is best to increase student achievement.?
Burchart also hopes to see the district help the high school achieve Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP).
‘We have to make sure that each subgroup meets the requirements to allow this to take place,? she added.
Peterson would like to see the district develop an Individual Education Plan (IEP) for every Lake Orion student.
‘I believe its essential to have a ‘path? mapped out for each student that can be assessed for effectiveness and progress,? she added.