Responses to InformMT Questions Roman Larson

What motivated you to run for School Board this year? I decided to run for School Board this year because I want to bring a fresh perspective to the M-T Board of Education. Over the last several years, through decisions like the trimester schedule or the proposed elimination of the French and German programs, the School Board has lost focus of the key component of any school system: the students. Having spent ten years in the classrooms of the Mequon-Thiensville School District, I know exactly what is happening in those buildings on a day-to-day basis. Im running this year because I want to continue improving the educational experience for all students in the district. Additionally, being a part of a generation that uses technology for nearly all aspects of life, I can help our school district focus on its transition to 21st century learning. What is your long-term solution to the shrinking enrollment and budget crunch issue M-T faces? In October 2011, the Community Conversation Task Force released their recommendations for the MequonThiensville community. The task force issued several clear recommendations regarding housing and economic development for Mequon and Thiensville. It is imperative that Mequon and Thiensville adopt these recommendations because without new residents, our school system will continue to struggle under the burdens of a shrinking enrollment and a diminishing budget. While the community works to adopt the recommendations presented by the task force, the school district must continue to examine every possible avenue to become leaner and more efficient. As a Board member, Ill advocate the utilization of all tools provided in the Budget Repair Bill (Act 10). Additionally, Ill encourage the Board to perform a comprehensive review of all programs provided to students in the districtthose which are ineffective and drain the district budget must be eliminated. An improvement in the housing policies of the Mequon-Thiensville community, combined with a maximizing efficiency approach to the district budget will put the district on sound fiscal footing for the long-term. What unique skill set would you bring to the Board and why is it important? Why should someone vote for you? In 2007 while a freshman in high school, I developed the Ninth Dimension after-school tutoring program, which later expanded into a non-profit education organization providing private tutoring and summer school. Developing those programs gave me insight into the operations of the school district and strengthened my resolve to support all students in the Mequon-Thiensville School District. Ive been involved extensively in non-profit education management for the last five years. Through my programs and other activities, Ive had the opportunity to work closely with students, gaining an understanding of their thoughts and perspectives regarding education. As a student at Stanford University studying political science and education policy, Ive continued to refine my education background working with some of the best educators in the world. I can offer a perspective to this School Board that no one else can. For many years, weve heard administrators and board members say that its all about the students. As a current student, Ill ensure that every decision made by the School Board will be in the best interests of all students.

What is your long-term vision for MTSD? Five years, 10 years from now - what do you see for the school district? In 5 and even 10 years from now, I envision MTSD continuing to offer the best educational program for students in the state of Wisconsin. The school district must incorporate new technology into the classroom to enhance student learning. The first decade of the 21 st century is already over and the district hasnt fully integrated technology into the educational process. Over the next decade, I envision the school district adopting powerful new tools to enhance student learning. In 5-10 years, Id like to see an MTSD recognized for having some of the best teachers in the Midwest. Excellent teachers whom exceed expectations on all levels will help to create the intellectually stimulating environment that all students in MTSD deserve. While MTSD is already a great school district, we shouldnt shy away from working hard to make improvements. Over the next ten years, I see the quality of our district continuing to improve, attracting new families to the Mequon-Thiensville area. Would you support a referendum? If yes, under what circumstances? If no, why not? The Mequon-Thiensville community has voted twice in the last several years against a referendum. Given this track record, I would not support dispensing precious financial resources on a referendum that would most likely fail a third time. The school district, like all organizations across America, must continue to do more with less. In the face of financial difficulty, we cannot go to the community and continually ask for more money. Rather than focusing on a referendum, which the community has said twice (once in 2002 and again in 2006) that it doesnt support, we must focus on continuing to make the best of what we already have. Were you in favor of Act 10? Why/Why Not I support Act 10. The legislation has given school districts all across the state new tools to balance their budgets. Before the passage of Act 10, many school districts, including MTSD, were hampered by collective bargaining situations that prevented district administrators from making important cost-saving decisions like switching health care plans. Act 10 provides the Mequon-Thiensville School District with the opportunity to offer truly world-class education. Great teachers will finally receive the recognition they deserve because Act 10 has given school districts the flexibility to create a superior teaching staff. As a school board member, I will continue to take advantage of tools provided in Act 10 to improve education in the district. Were you in favor of the trimester system? Why/Why Not? I oppose the trimester system. The new schedule at Homestead High School is an unnecessary and detrimental change for a school that has clearly been successful with the current scheduling model. First, 70minute class periods are far too long for most students. Even at Stanford University, nearly all classes are 50 minutes in length. I personally understand that 70 minutes is far too long to spend on one particular subject area. Additionally, the trimester schedule puts all Homestead students at a disadvantage. In a world where math and science skills are becoming more and more critical for success, the trimester schedule could mean that students only take math and science for 2/3 of the year. Meanwhile, courses like band, orchestra, and chorus (I participated in band for 4 years at HHS) are full year courses. Students should have year round exposure to math and science in order to prepare them academically for college level courses. Finally, the trimester proposal failed to address the real issues at Homestead High School: ineffective teachers. Oftentimes, 5 minutes of classroom time is wasted in the beginning and end of the period, amounting to 10 minutes (or more) of instructional time lost every period. With a 70-minute period, students may finally get the 50-60 minutes of instruction that could be provided in a normal 50-minute period if the entire instructional time was efficient and focused. Rather than upending the schedule for students at Homestead, the district must make a more concerted effort to ensure that teachers are instructing 100% of the time while students are in the classroom. The trimester system was a bad decision that distracted the school district from making positive, beneficial changes at Homestead High School.