COLORADO SPRINGS D-11 SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Oct 14, 2001

THREE OPEN SEATS

Karen Teja

AGE: 42

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree and certification in early childhood education

EMPLOYMENT: N/A

CIVIC INVOLVEMENT: District 11 Board of Education member, four years; Board of Education treasurer, two years; member of Board for Community Partnership for Child Development (Head Start); past member of Coalition of Neighborhood Organizations

HOW TO REACH HER: Phone: 593-5925; fax: 593-1318; e-mail: teja@worldnet.att.net.

TOP PRIORITY IN EDUCATION: I have spent the last four years helping to keep student achievement the highest priority. My goals for the coming term are to continue to reduce class size, ensure the hiring and retention of quality teachers and staff, and to maintain open, honest and responsive communication with the public.

Willie H. Breazell Sr.

WITHDREW

Forrest "Chip" Ecks

WITHDREW

Craig W. Cox

AGE: 38

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

EMPLOYMENT: Owner of Craig Cox Investigations, LLC

CIVIC INVOLVEMENT: High school football and baseball official; Faith Partners mentor; Parent Teacher Association member

HOW TO REACH HIM: Phone: 548-1988 (home); 219-0032 (work); fax: 219-0033; e-mail: craigwcox@ureach.com

TOP PRIORITY IN EDUCATION: Focus on student achievement. Maximize the amount of funds going to the classroom. Implement site-based leadership to give principals, teachers and parents more control of their schools. Encourage parents and volunteers to become very active in their schools.

David E. Linebaugh

AGE: 46

EDUCATION: Associate's degree in applied science in fire science technology; bachelor's degree in organizational management with an emphasis in human resource administration and a minor in criminal justice; master's degree in management

EMPLOYMENT: Colorado State Patrol and Manitou Springs Police Department, mid 1970s; owner/operator of a heating and air conditioning company for six years; combination field inspector for the Regional Building Department; Colorado Springs Fire Department, 11 years; fire marshal, city of Colorado Springs; currently deputy director of safety/security at Memorial Hospital

CIVIC INVOLVEMENT: member of the Citizens Budget Committee of the District Accountability and Advisory Committee with School District 11, two years; Mill Levy Override Oversight Committee; Boy Scouts; member, Board of Directors, Wagon Wheel Council of the Girl Scouts

HOW TO REACH HIM: Phone: 637-0185 (home); 365-6990 (work); fax: 365-5056; e-mail: davelinebaughd11@aol.com

TOP PRIORITY IN EDUCATION: Develop and implement an aggressive intervention strategy for all D-11 schools with low test scores; direct the construction of new elementary schools in the Norwood and Cimarron Hills neighborhoods; and ensure all 23 elements contained within the mill levy override spending plan are completed as promised to the voters in 2000.

Catherine H. Ball

AGE: 62

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in history with a minor in education; master's degree in education

EMPLOYMENT: Retired teacher, substitute teacher

CIVIC INVOLVEMENT: District 11 accountability Committee, vice chairwoman, Doherty Cluster; Holy Trinity Church and School Advisory Boards

HOW TO REACH HER: Phone: 598-2824; e-mail, CHB2715@aol.com

TOP PRIORITY IN EDUCATION: My top priority in education is to ensure that District 11 gives our children the best education by employing the most qualified teachers, using the best curriculum, lowering class sizes and aiding Superintendent Norm Ridder in making District 11 the No. 1 district in the state of Colorado.

Linda K. Sterrett

AGE: 44

EDUCATION: Certificate of Accounting

EMPLOYMENT: Insurance company; eight years in accounting

CIVIC INVOLVEMENT: Member of Palmer High School's BAAC; representative, Superintendent's Parent Sounding Board for Irving Middle School and Palmer High School; Girl Scout Wagon Wheel Council, service unit; former Girl Scout troop leader for eight years.

HOW TO REACH HER: Mail: The Committee to Elect Linda Sterrett, P.O. Box 60833, Colorado Springs 80960; phone: 578-7141; e-mail: Linda_Sterrett@excite.com

TOP PRIORITY IN EDUCATION: My vision for District 11 is for the district to provide an excellent educational opportunity to every child. My top priorities are: accountability, academic excellence at every school, safety both inside and outside the school buildings, discipline in the classrooms and fiscal responsibility. Every dollar needs to be used wisely.

Mary Wierman

AGE: 48

EDUCATION: Registered nurse; bachelor's degree in elementary school teaching

EMPLOYMENT: Registered nurse at schools and clinics; substitute teacher

CIVIC INVOLVEMENT: Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary; Junior League volunteer for senior citizen projects; Wilson United Methodist Church community outreach; Girl Scouts; District 11 School Board member and secretary, eight years; PTA and PTO president; District 11 Accountability Committees and Architectural Committee; El Paso Council and State PTA Board member; State Legislative PTA Committee; SAT testing proctor, coordinator for kindergarten screening program.