Heather Moyer For SD308 School Board: Patch Candidate Profile

Name: Heather Moyer

Age: 36

Position Sought: School Board Member District 308

Family:

Jeff Moyer- Husband; Ben - Son, 6 years old; Sophie - Daughter, 2 years old

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Education: B.A. - Applied Behavioral Sciences

Occupation: Program Manger at Teen Parent Connection. Fifteen years of experience in the non-profit field working with vulnerable children.

Why are you running?

I believe in our public education system, as well as the importance of volunteerism within our community. I have seen the difference committed, caring adults can have in the lives of children, and as the mother of two young children who are entering the school system, I am passionately committed to the success of our public education system.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: None

Campaign Website:

www.heathermoyersb.wixsite.com/sd308
www.facebook.com/moyerforschoolboard308/

What do you hope to accomplish in office?

1. Establishing and maintaining a fiscally responsible budget, while ensuring the quality of our children’s education. In order to do this, it will be important to keep resources in the classroom. I believe we need to continue to look at the current central administration structure, and make necessary adjustments to roles and responsibilities to streamline it further.

2. Continue to increase communication and transparency among the district, parents, and community members to fully restore confidence in the district. I want to make sure that each parent, student, and professional group is given a voice and feels heard when discussing pertinent issues pertaining to them. 3. We need to address the achievement gap that continues to occur within the district. The district should be looking at data, and analyzing it critically, to determine which student subgroups are struggling. Current data shows us that our African American, Latino, and Low Income students are falling further behind, and we need to be proactive in addressing this concerning trend. The district should be implementing strategies that, research shows, work in addressing the achievement gap; often these strategies do not cost any additional money. We need to make sure that we are correctly investing in all students, and supporting them based on their needs.

3. Establishing and maintaining a fiscally responsible budget, while ensuring the quality of our children’s education. In order to do this, it will be important to keep resources in the classroom. I believe we need to continue to look at the current central administration structure, and make necessary adjustments to roles and responsibilities to streamline it further.

How would you hold local government employees accountable?

The role of the school board is one of governance. The school board should help set clear goals and expectations for the school district and superintendent's performance. Good school board members will do their due diligence in considering all information regarding decisions before them, and will prioritize the needs of the students first. School board members should act with great integrity, making sure they are operating with transparency.

Explain your attitudes toward fiscal policy, government spending and how taxpayer dollars should be handled by your office (or board)?

Maintaining a fiscally responsible budget, while mitigating the impact on the quality of our kids’ education will be my top priority. In order to do this, I believe it is important to keep resources in the classroom. We need to look at our current administrative positions and make necessary adjustments to roles and responsibilities and streamline this structure as much as possible. In addition, I commit to continuing the advocacy work with local legislators on behalf of our students, educating them about how and why the current funding formula for our education system does not work and insisting on change at the state level. I believe it is the responsibility of the school district and board members to continue to dialogue with our Village officials about the importance of increasing our local revenue. Working collaboratively on further economic development plans and creative problem solving on shared goals will benefit both the school district and our local community.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have been serving families in the non-profit sector for 15 years and I have an extensive knowledge of non-profit management, early childhood programming, and advocacy work at the state and local level. I have dedicated my professional life to serving parents and their children. Some of my accomplishments include: developing a comprehensive mental health initiative for young children and adolescents, which eliminated barriers to services and increased access to care for at-risk youth; providing learning opportunities and coordinated services that improved Kindergarten readiness in children birth to five. I have also been active in local and regional collaborations, task forces and advisory groups in the early childhood and nonprofit fields. I am adept at working collaboratively with colleagues of varied perspectives to achieve shared goals.

What else would you like voters to know about you and your positions?

I believe my background in non-profit management, early childhood programming, advocacy work at the state and local level, and experience working collaboratively with diverse groups of individuals will support my work on behalf of students in our district. I believe the perspective I am bringing to the school board is unique and will add a valuable lens, in supporting the healthy growth and development of all children in our community.

Photo provided by Heather Moyer