By Amy Nile
anile@chronline.com
View Michael Kelly's Interview with Chronicle Staff Here
View Michael Kelly's Interview with Chronicle Staff Here
Centralia School District Board Director Michael Kelly is running for a second term against challengers Amy Buzzard, a mother of four school age children, and former Lewis County Commissioner Ron Averill.
Kelly, also a father of four, said he has invested heavily in the community as both the board director and the legislative representative over the last three and a half years. After learning the ins and outs of the public education system, the Centralia native said, he would like to build upon his accomplishments if elected to another term.
“I’ve also started to develop many more good things for students,” Kelly said. “My desire, with your support, is to make those things a reality over the next four years.”
The biggest issues currently facing the district, he said, are poor student test scores, the low graduation rate and aging facilities.
Taxpayers have a reasonable expectation for the highest possible student achievement, which is not there now, Kelly said.
Moving forward, he said, he aims to improve low student achievement and take steps to increase the on-time graduation rate.
To better the standings of the six Centralia schools that earlier this year received a “C” or “D” rating based on the state’s achievement index, Kelly said, the board needs to let the administration know these scores are unacceptable and set a clear plan to improve.
“I believe we have some of the best educators in the state,” he said. “We have the tools to make this happen.”
The board, he said, needs to set expectations for the administration to address issues and hold them accountable if they do not succeed.
Additionally, Kelly envisions the Growing Places alternative learning program becoming part of the high school campus. That way, he said, the students in the alternative program could access high school programs, he said.
Since the district received $1.5 million in additional state funding, Kelly said, the board should earmark the money to upgrade facilities to prevent asking for more taxpayer support. Additionally, Kelly said, new state funding should go toward immediate educational needs. Levy dollars should not fund wage increases but instead be prioritized for community educational programs, he said.
“The students in the district should always be held as the number one customer,” Kelly said, repeating his motto.
Kelly said he has spearheaded the restoration of many programs such as those for highly capable students, all-day kindergarten, summer school, career and tech educational, music, swimming and athletics.
Currently, he is working on enhancing the Cispus program and other social integration efforts.
“And I won’t stop there,” Kelly said. “If everyone is marching in line with the same goals that I have, we will achieve.”
But, he said, improvements will require innovative thinking.
“Building on what we have is not innovative, we need to find programs that are proven that will take these kids from where they’re at today to the next level,” he told The Chronicle.
Kelly recommends the board look at other districts such as the Highline School District, which he said has effective programs for language acquisition that Centralia could learn from to improve education for English learners.
After speaking with students, staff and other parents, Kelly said, he does not support partial school days.
“I find that early releases are non-productive, obligation days for students so we meet the 180 days,” he said
Kelly is calling for 180 full days of instruction and extra time if needed for student achievement.
If re-elected, Kelly said, he would like to see measurable progress in on-time graduation, improvements in school ratings and increased confidence in district staff.
“I have been and always will be the voice of the people,” he said. “I will continue to insist our tax dollars are being spent to the benefit of this community.”
About Michael Kelly
Age: 43
Education: Washington State School Directors Association Premier Leadership Program, various legislative and school director instructional programs, Perry Technical Institute, Centralia High School
Occupation: TransAlta Centralia power generation controls, electrical and computer technician, Centralia School District Board director and legislative representative.
Community Activities: TransAlta community donations committee, Lewis County Farm Bureau, Ducks Unlimited, past Centralia-Chehalis Chamber of Commerce member, past Businessweek judge, past Centralia Downtown Association judge, past Boy Scout den leader, past Little League Baseball and fastpitch coach
Family: wife, Shana; four children, (two graduates of CHS and two currently enrolled)
Number of Years in Centralia: 31
By Amy Nile
anile@chronline.com
View Ron Averill's Interview with Chronicle Staff Here
View Ron Averill's Interview with Chronicle Staff Here
Ron Averill is trying on yet another hat.
The former Lewis County commissioner and college professor known for his signature cowboy hat is challenging incumbent Michael Kelly and Amy Buzzard for a seat on the Centralia School Board.
“I believe strongly in public education,” the retired Army Colonel and public servant of 52 years said. “It’s a cornerstone for success in life.”
Averill said the Centralia School District needs to improve in areas such as the graduation rate, student achievement and the overall quality of education. With 17 years experience in higher education as a professor and an administrator, Averill said, he can make a difference.
As a school board member, he said, he wants to help Centralia students exceed standards on state tests and aid the district in adapting to changes. For example, he said, the state’s new standards for math testing will prevent many Washington students, including some in Centralia, from graduating.
Additionally, Averill said, the district needs to review data to determine why students are earning low test scores and work to improve education at six Centralia schools, which earlier this year received “C” or “D” ratings, based on information from the state’s achievement index.
The school board, he said, needs to look at what Edison Elementary is doing to earn consistently high ratings.
“If the schools aren’t accomplishing, it’s because the board is not insisting on it,” he said.
“I would certainly work to improve deficiencies and get consistent results across the district.”
If money is an issue, Averill said, the board could use levy dollars to implement after-school and English language programs, similar to the ones that have contributed to Edison’s success, districtwide.
Averill also supports looking into what the Chehalis School District is doing to get better results in student achievement and a lower dropout rate.
“I’m also very concerned about some of the distractors to students getting a good education,” he said. “It’s necessary for the schools to have a zero tolerance of alcohol, tobacco, drugs and bullying.”
Additionally, Averill is calling for review of the disciplinary policy and reducing the number of school suspensions.
Early release days need to be kept to a minimum and be evaluated, taking the impact on families into consideration, he said.
The 75-year-old said the district also needs to recognize that only about 30 percent of students will go to university and another 15 to 20 percent will attend community college or enter a technical program.
“But the vast majority of our students need to be prepared to go into the workforce,” he said.
As a county commissioner, Averill said, he often heard new employers had a hard time hiring local residents because of a lack of education.
“We should prepare our students so they can have success in the future,” he said.
Averill said his fiscal experience in public office could also aid the district in ensuring a healthy reserve fund and improving its budget to revenue ratio.
With the new state funding, Averill said, the district needs to cover operational costs so levy dollars can go toward supplemental programs such as early childhood education, all-day kindergarten and STEM education.
Students should come first in budget decisions and the district needs to plan for the future, he said.
To better inform the voting public, Averill said, he would recommend televising school board meetings on cable or the Internet and placing supplemental information in the newspaper.
When asked how the current administration is doing, Averill said, he would give the district office a low “B.”
“Our people are really trying and trying hard,” he said. “There are challenges.”
The district, Averill said, needs to work to overcome obstacles such as, a lower socioeconomic level and high unemployment.
“But that doesn’t mean we should accept that we can't meet the standard,” he said.
The school board, Averill said, needs to help the district get the job done.
Armed with a thick binder of information on Centralia schools, Averill assures voters he is well prepared to help the district ensure students a quality education and preparation for the future.
About Ron Averill
Age: 75
Education: bachelor’s degree in foreign service, University of Southern California, 1959; master’s degree in regional and comparative politics of Southeast Asia, The American University, Washington D.C., 1974
Occupation: retired
Experience: Former Lewis County Commissioner, District 1; former dean of social sciences, South Puget Sound Community College; former professor of political science, SPSCC and Hawaii Pacific University; retired colonel, military intelligence, U.S. Army
Community Activities: represents city of Centralia on Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority, represents Lewis County on Timberland Regional Support Network, represents Lewis County on Washington Association of Counties on Washington State Emergency Management Council, Advisory Board for Seattle District, U.S. Army Recruiting Command, Lewis County Farm Bureau (Legislative Committee), Twin Cities Rotary, Knights of Columbus, Veterans Memorial Museum, American Legion Post 17, Centralia, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2400
Family: wife, Janice; daughter, EllaLou Morales; grandchildren, Mikey Morales and Maleea Morales (attended Centralia Schools)
Number of Years in Centralia: 24
By Amy Nile
anile@chronline.com
View Amy Buzzard's Interview with Chronicle Staff Here
View Amy Buzzard's Interview with Chronicle Staff Here
Amy Buzzard faces incumbent Michael Kelly and former Lewis County Commissioner Ron Averill in the race for Centralia School Board.
Buzzard said she would bring to the board a broad range of experience as a mother of four school age children in the district because she knows what parents need.
“I volunteer in the classroom, which has given me an outlook that has prepared me and made me excited to be a part of their future and the future to come,” she said. “The first important issue is change.”
The district is currently adapting to changes in testing requirements and implementing a new reading program, Buzzard, a Centralia High School graduate, said.
As a board member, she said, she would focus on raising the graduation rate and improving student achievement.
“We’re starting to focus more on setting the bar high and helping our students achieve those goals,” she said, noting the importance of making goals attainable and reachable for students.
She said she would make sure teachers have the support they need to instruct students in the classroom,.
Buzzard told The Chronicle she thinks demographics played a role in the six Centralia schools receiving “C” or “D” ratings from the Washington Policy Center, which bases the rankings on the state’s achievement index. Centralia, she said, would have made better marks if the ratings looked at schools with similar demographics.
According to the policy center, however, the ratings are already based on schools with similar demographics.
Still, Buzzard said, scores need to come up.
To improve test scores, she said, she would focus on effective testing, extended learning time and support for teachers.
Buzzard supports smaller class sizes, and if the district cannot afford it, she said, she would push for more educational assistants to aid teachers.
“It’s difficult to have the teacher instill their passion to a student when there’s so many performing below grade level,” she said. “Because the classrooms are so large, my concern is, there are children falling through the gap.”
Professional development time for teachers, Buzzard said, is the only reason students should attend school for only a partial day.
“I’m always for more time in the classroom,” she said.
Another priority, Buzzard said, is fiscal stewardship of the district budget in uncertain economic times.
The school board, she said, should help the district look for better ways to spend limited resources,focusing on extended learning time and identifying opportunities to excite students about education.
Levy dollars can provide options for local decisions and support, she said, noting that providing students with effective learning environments by making buildings conducive to education is a priority.
“Our board is doing a good job during a difficult time to ensure the education for our children,” she said. “I do think it’s time for change as reflected by six candidates for school board.”
The district requires a cohesive board to ensure time is well-spent making decisions, she said.
Superintendent Steve Bodnar has students’ best interest at heart and the board has set high expectations, Buzzard said.
Buzzard has worked with Bodnar on both the levy and strategic planning committees.
Now, Buzzard said, she hopes to take the knowledge she gained on committees to the Centralia School Board.
“I’m passionate about our district and I would encourage people to go out and vote, particularly vote for me,” she said. “I feel I have so much to offer and this is where I belong.”
About Amy Buzzard
Age: 39
Education: Centralia College, Bellevue Community College, Lower Columbia Community College pathology program, Centralia High School
Occupation: stay-at-home mother of four
Community Activities: volunteer in Centralia Schools, Centralia School District Levy Committee, Centralia School District Strategic Planning Committee, singing and playing music for various occasions
Family: husband, R.W. Buzzard; four children
Number of Years in Centralia: 30
