The League of Women Voters of Dane County, Inc.

Candidate Questionnaire for the Spring 2009 Election

Arlene Silveira

Madison Board of Education

Seat 1

1. What professional, occupational, civic, and community experience have you had that you believe qualifies you for this office?

I have been active in Madison public schools for 12 years, first as parent volunteer, then School Board member, serving as Board president for the past 2 years. Community involvement includes membership on United Way’s Born Learning initiative and Fitchburg Library Board; working with Madison Foundation for Public Schools; participation in abcMadison, a group advocating fair funding for public education. A parent of an 11^th grader, I’ve served as president of Leopold and Cherokee’s PTO. I am Director of Marketing/Sales for Promega, with experience as a budget planner, facilitator, negotiator and project manager.  (93 words)

2. What are the major issues confronting your school district, and, if elected, how will you deal with them?

Equitable school funding system. Unless changed, all school districts will be forced to make devastating cuts detrimental to all students. I will initiate community-based advocacy efforts to work toward changing the funding. Enhancement of minority achievement efforts by improving efforts in schools to raise instruction quality; expanding availability of schooling opportunities and working with community to develop policies that enable all children to begin/attend school on a more even playing field. Ensure we are providing students with skills needed to compete in the 21^st century, irrespective of their path. Continue efforts focused on redesign of our high schools. (98 words)

3. What is the value, if any, of including the following in the school curriculum: a) bilingual education for all children; b) music and art; c) civics; d) 4-year-old kindergarten; e) preparation for the workforce?

It is our responsibility to provide students with skills needed to be successful beyond school. This includes the ability to communicate in a global economy (bi-lingual education), provision of skills and knowledge necessary to participate in democratic life (civics); development of skills beyond basic academics needed for workforce participation. Arts give students the creativity to express themselves, keep children motivated in school and are integral in development of the whole person. 4K establishes a strong foundation for success in school and life and is instrumental in addressing academic achievement for all children and in helping to close the achievement gap. (100 words)