The Dexter Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Candidates state their case
PUBLISHED: May 3, 2007
Four candidates will battle for three seats on the Dexter Board of Education on the Tuesday ballot.
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Incumbent trustees Dick Lundy and Julie Schumaker are running uncontested for four-year terms while newcomers Kimberly Covert and Paula Pacholke-Dumont are vying for Trustee Jean Christian's seat.
Christian was appointed to Jane Hoggard's position when Hoggard abruptly resigned last year. Christian declined to participate in the election.
Below are candidates' profiles based on a survey that was sent by The Dexter Leader.
Cundiff Covert
Age: 35
Occupation: Homemaker, community volunteer, former program specialist for Saline Community Education.
Education: Bachelor's degree in English (1998) and teaching certificate (1998) from Eastern Michigan University.
Residence: Dexter Village
Family: Husband Tom, 35; three children Andrew, 4, Elizabeth, 3 and Emily Kate, 1.
Previous experience in government: None
Community involvement: Currently serves on the Dexter Community Schools' bond evaluation committee, which is responsible for reviewing critical needs assessments for the district so capital improvements needs and bond parameters can be determined. The committee is also organizing community forums to discuss the bond. Currently serves as an event coordinator for Dexter Community Education. Also serves as a trustee for the Educational Foundation of Dexter, is a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and coaches youth sports. Previously served as a chairperson for the Dexter Community Schools' CORSE-Community Education sub-committee, which was tasked with evaluating new revenue sources and cost reductions within the district. That committee, which formed last August, dissolved last December after presenting final analysis to the Board of Education.
Why are you running for school board? Once I became involved in CORSE, I became interested in working on finding ways to increase the district's successes. I am eager to help and get involved in the community. I think my insight and experience would be an important addition to the board.
What do you hope to achieve during your time in office? I hope that I will be able to share my knowledge and experience to tackle some of the issues the district may face with funding and budget. If elected I plan to be an active board member and work to maintain the high standards of Dexter Community Schools.
What issues are of concern for you regarding the schools? The budget and funding issue is a huge one. Districts all over the state are being asked to do more with less. It has become clear to me, during my experience with the CORSE committee, that Dexter Community Schools will continue to be faced with the need to find new ways to cut costs and maximize its budget. There are a lot of things being done right now in Dexter schools, and to maintain the level of excellence it is important that the cuts that have to be made are ones that would stand to have the least effect on the classroom. None of it will be easy, but I think the CORSE committee had some interesting recommendations.
What positive steps do you believe the school board has taken in the last four years? Most recently, I think the formation of the CORSE committee to get community input on all areas of the school budget was a positive one. As the financial issues become more difficult, it is critical to keep the community involved. By opening up that process to the community it shows the Board's desire to hear from as many people as possible in order to find out the community's ideas and apprehensions.
What are some issues you see the school district struggling with in the next four years and where do you stand on these issues? As I stated before, I think funding and budgeting will be a big issues in the near future. I think all districts are going to need to look at funding in new ways. Energy efficiency has proved to be a huge money saver in other districts. Dexter Community Schools needs to take a look at ways to cut operational costs through energy consumption as one option within the budget. As a board member I would be interested in items that could increase energy efficiency to save money as well as looking for creative ways to bring money into the district.
Why do you think you would make a good public official? I think I am an energetic person that is willing to take the time to serve. I am truly interested in enriching the community, and I realize the great responsibility of holding office. I am open and listen to other points of view. I plan on using those listening skills by being open to community members, school staff and board members — if elected.
What goals have you set for the next two years in regards to your possible tenure? Since my term will only be for two years, I know I will spend some time learning the ropes as a board member, but I do believe that my experience in the committees I have served on and continue to serve on have given me some insight as to how schools are funded and school boards work. My goals for my tenure on the board would be to make each decision in the best interest of students and to gather as much information as I can before making a decision.
Dick Lundy
Age: 65
Occupation: Retired CEO, founder of COM, Inc., a computer test-systems company serving the auto industry.
Achievements: First school board member in Washtenaw County to earn the Certified BoardMember Award from Michigan Association of School Boards and earned the Distinguished Board Member Award from MASB (1999).
Education: Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from University of Michigan (1964).
Residence: Lima Township
Family: Wife Ellen, 64; two children Elizabeth, 37 and Peter John, 35; grandchildren, Elena, 14, Brannon, 7, Dane, 5.
Previous experience in government: Current serves on many governmental and school district bodies. Has been a Dexter Community Schools trustee since 1983. Also served as a board member on the Downtown Development Authority since 1993 and treasurer since 1996, and has also been a LDFA board member since 1990 and treasurer on that body since 1992. Is an active member of Dexter United Methodist Church since 1972 and has been financial secretary there since 1976. A board member of From The Heart, Inc. and treasurer since 1999. University of Michigan Fund Raiser Golf Outing chair since 2000. Also a board member of the United Methodist Retirement Communities board since 1982, board vice chair and committee chair for over 12 years, a board member of the Huron Valley Ambulance Board since 1986, board chair there for six years, finance and investment committee member since 1994 and executive committee member since 1994.
Why are you running for school board? Many school and community people have asked me to continue for another term because of my 28 years of experience on the Board of Education. I still have great enthusiasm for working on and supporting the ongoing progressin our excellent schools. My many years of experience in school finances,budgeting, collective bargaining, board policy, and general schoolgovernance are often helpful in working with other board members andadministrative staff.
What do you hope to achieve during your time in office? I expect to continue working with school staff at all levels along withfellow board members, as well as members of the community to continuallyimprove teaching and learning for all students in our schools.
What issues are of concern for you regarding the schools? The top issue for virtually every school district in the state has tobe dealing with declining financial support from the state.
The foundation grant has not kept up with normal inflation and state mandated payments to the state retirement plan along with other increasing expenseshave forced districts to cut back on programming for students. Dexter isrelatively fortunate to have some increase in the number of students eachyear and we have worked very hard with staff to reduce expenses, whileminimizing the impact on the classroom and other student activities.
Preserving a focus on our primary mission of educating our students whilemaintaining some semblance of financial stability is our number one goal.
Meetings over this past year with community members have been very helpfulin identifying some additional areas for cost reductions and potentialrevenue enhancement. We will continue to struggle with annual budgetswhile waiting for the state to finally address the statewide structural problems in education in a meaningful way.
Another top issue for Dexter involves addressing a number of critical capital outlay needs throughout the district. While it seems like we just finished a number of major building projects in the district, the reality is that the new high school has been open for over five years and it has been almost 10 years since major funding for capital projects has occurred. It is extremely important to recognize our current criticalneeds and to properly fund these major long term needs in order to keepour physical assets in good shape.
The scope of work needed to maintain assets in excess of $120 million is far more than what can be covered from our operating budget. Dating back to the early 1980's, maintaining andupgrading facilities has been accomplished by funding from bond proposalswhich were supported by community residents.
A part of recent discussions with school and community people has resulted in the recommendation to pursue a new bond proposal to address many of thesecritical needs for our facilities. If these needs are not addressed soon, the scope of work and costs in the future will be much higher and more disruptive to classroom activities.
What positive steps do you believe the school board has taken in the lastfour years? The Dexter school staff has been committed to serving the educational interests of the community and students extremely well for many years.
Over the past 30 years the district has transitioned from a small ruraldistrict to our current position of excellence in academics, athletics, music, and a wide variety of extracurricular areas. This continuous progress has occurred in spite of many distractions and financialchallenges and is the result of the school board, professional and supportstaff, parents, and community working together.
Why do you think you would make a good public official? I believe that I have demonstrated an ongoing interest in communityservice for many years and my greatest level of activity and commitment has always been with the Dexter Schools.
What goals have you set for the next four years in regards to your possible tenure? First, to continue working with all groups in our school community to provide a school district which is a source of community pride and which serves the taxpayers and students well. Second, to continue addressing financial challenges in a way that serves students in the best way possible.
Paula Pacholke-Dumont
Age: 48
Occupation: Research and development scientist, laboratory director
Achievements: Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), south-Texas section, Outstanding Younger Member, 1995; manufacturing standards organization ASTM Service Award, 1991; SAE member 25 years, Society of Tribologists & Lubrication Engineers 15 years, on and off, and 22 years, ASTM.
Education: Bachelor's degree in chemistry from Alma College (1979), Master's degree in business administration from Saginaw Valley State University (1984), Master's degree in mechanical engineering from University of Texas (1993)
Residence: Webster Township
Family: Husband Michel Dumont, 44; two children Emilie, 13, and Andy, 10
Previous experience in government: Registered voter.
Community involvement: Teaches a religious education program at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, where she is also an active parishioner and choir singer. Also a former Girl Scout leader.
Why are you running for school board? I like to be able to serve the community in which I live.
What do you hope to achieve during your time in office? Increase our levels of already excellent education to rival that of areas in Oakland County, make sure our buildings remain in good repair, and maintain budgetary responsibility.
What issues are of concern for you regarding the schools? The operating budgets, maintaining excellent teaching staff, among other things.
What positive steps do you believe the school board has taken in the last four years? Planned well for growth in the district with regard to buildings and infrastructure, budgeted and spent monies well.
What are some issues you see the school district struggling with in the next four years and where do you stand on these issues? Funding is going to be the greatest challenge in the near future as the state and local economies struggle with lost tax revenues and budget shortfalls.
Why do you think you would make a good public official? I listen well, have good trouble-shooting skills and I care about my community.
What goals have you set for the next four years in regards to your possible tenure? Make certain we maintain our budgets, observe and respond to changes in area demographics.
Julie Schumaker
Age: 50
Occupation: Business owner and consultant
Education: Bachelor's of arts degree from University of Michigan (1979), Master's degree in guidance and counseling from Eastern Michigan University (1981), Master's degree in educational foundations, administration, policy, and research methods from University of Michigan (2000), and a doctoral degree in educational foundations and policy from University of Michigan (2005)
Residence: Webster Township
Family: Husband Kevin Dombkowski, 49; two children Elise, 9, and Chris, 19.
Previous experience in government: Dexter Community Schools Board of Education, 2003 to present and current member of various Board of Education committees, including negotiations, four years; finance, two years; and policy, one year. Formerly a member of the communications committee for the 2003-04 and 2005-06 school years, and the strategic planning committee during the 2005-06 school year.
Community involvement: Served on the Dexter Schools Community steering committee in 2002, as well as the new revenue sources sub-committee that same year. Also served on the school district's transportation strategic planning committee from 2001 to 2003; the transportation safety task force, the PTO mini-grant committee and as a seventh grade camp chaperone in 2000, and the superintendent search committee in 1998. Also served with the Dexter Schools Foundation 100 Grant Club and as a Christmas in April Volunteer in 2002.
Faculty member of Managing for Nonprofit Excellence, NEW Center in 1999 until 2001, board of director for the Daycroft Montessori School Board from 1994 to 1996, and member of the day care ad hoc committee at the Michigan Department of Social Services, Day Care Licensing Division in 1994. Also an active member at St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
Why are you running for school board? I have a strong commitment to the education of our youth and believe that community involvement is a personal and civic responsibility. My experiences as a consultant working school districts, colleges and universities, and the Michigan Department of Education gives me a broad perspective of the needs of students and of our schools. As a parent of a recent Dexter High School graduate and a student at Creekside, I have a long-term perspective and commitment to Dexter Schools.
What do you hope to achieve during your time in office? We are fortunate in Dexter to have excellent school facilities, quality teachers, strong instructional, athletic and extra-curricular programs, and outstanding community support. I would like to help Dexter Community Schools maintain these key components of a quality school district, and to harness creative ideas from the community and staff as we continue to face dwindling state financial support for public education.
What issues are of concern for you regarding the schools? Student achievement is my number one issue. A key challenge facing our district is how to continue to provide the quality of education that our community expects in an environment of unstable financial support from the State.
Our primary focus as a district is to improve the achievement of all students.
Due to the combined efforts of our outstanding staff, parents, community, and students, Dexter students perform very well compared to their peers in the state on the Michigan Educational Assessment Program tests and other standardized assessments. Our students also have won numerous district, regional and state competitions in debate, forensics, Science Olympiad, and Ocean Bowl to name a few areas, and our band and orchestra programs consistently achieve top ratings at regional and state festivals.
The district's focus is on continuing to improve student achievement and the educational program for students. Next year, both algebra and foreign language courses will be offered at Mill Creek Middle School which students may take for high school credit. The high school is reviewing course requirements for graduation, exploring new course offerings, and looking at the possible implementation of trimesters to allow students to take more classes. The district is also examining the feasibility of creating an early childhood education center for children up to five years old.
Education finance is another key issue. Unpredictable and insufficient funding from the State is the biggest challenge facing all school districts.
Local district revenue is based upon per pupil funding from the State (known as the foundation grant). Given the budget crisis facing the state in the last several years, funding for schools has not kept pace with increased costs. Just as families have faced increased costs for gasoline, utilities, and health care, so too have local school districts.
Dexter has been fortunate to be a growing district. In fact, enrollment in the district has grown by over 1,000 students in the last decade. I think this speaks highly of the quality of our school district. This growth has allowed us to maintain district programs and minimize reductions while other districts with stable or declining enrollment have had to make significant cuts. Nonetheless, our district has not been spared from having to make cuts.
As a district, we have tried to keep budget cuts as far away from the classroom as possible. Administrative and non-instructional cuts have been made. We now operate with fewer central administrative staff and fewer building and grounds staff than 5 years ago. The district is looking for ways to reduce energy costs through both changes in behavior and improved energy efficiency. We are also exploring ways to save dollars through collaboration of services with other local districts and the county. One example being explored is utilizing a private company to handle substitute employee contracting.
The district is currently exploring new sources of funding to augment funding from the state. We are examining whether to hire a fundraiser, whether to allow sponsorships, and other fundraising options. We know there is tremendous support for our schools in the community and want to explore how we can tap that support in a coordinated fashion.
Dexter Schools is in the planning stage of developing a bond proposal to take to the voters in November. We have worked hard to maintain our buildings and physical assets in spite of diminished State funding. But at this point, almost 10 years since our last bond was passed which built our new high school and upgraded older buildings, we have basic infrastructure needs that go beyond our operating budget.
For example, roofs need to be repaired, energy equipment upgraded, carpeting replaced, sidewalks and parking lots paved, computers replaced and technology enhanced, athletic fields restored, science equipment and musical instruments replaced, and security systems upgraded among other critical needs. These investments are necessary to ensure that our students will continue to have the facilities and equipment needed to provide them with a quality education.
At some point though, and I think we are now nearing that point, further reductions in school funding will impact kids in the classroom. You can help by sending the message to Lansing that education is a top priority and must be adequately funded. The legislature needs to develop a new method for funding schools which provides adequate and stable funding so we can provide the education that our kids deserve and our community expects.
What positive steps do you think the school district has taken in the last four years? In spite of difficult financial times, in the last 4 years the district has lowered class sizes at the elementary level, added an early intervention specialist to work with K-2 students needing extra support, revised the elementary and secondary math curricula, focused on writing across the curriculum, expanded the number of middle school sports teams to enable more students to participate in athletics, and expanded course offerings at the high school to include more A.P. and art classes, as well as added a new class for high school students needing additional support.
Mill Creek Middle School recently received the honor of being named a Michigan School to Watch. Mill Creek was the only middle school in Michigan to receive this distinction this year.
The award was given to Mill Creek for maintaining academic excellence, being responsive to the needs of young adolescents, and helping all students achieve at high levels. In addition, the school was cited for having strong teachers who work together to improve curriculum and instruction. This award exemplifies what makes Dexter Schools such an outstanding district - the commitment, dedication and hard work of our staff.
The school district has accomplished all this with fewer administrative and support personnel than we had four years ago. While the financial challenges have been real, we have continued to move the district forward in many positive ways.
What are some issues you see the school district struggling with in the next four years and where do you stand on these issues? See issues of concern above.
Why do you think you would make a good public official? As a school board member, my role is to represent the community's interests and advocate for public education. I am active in the community, accessible to residents through phone or e-mail, and always willing to listen to any concerns or suggestions and point folks to the proper office or individual who can address the issue. In making any decision, I always consider two key questions, "What is in the best interest of students?" and "What does the community want?" I have also called, written, and met with our state legislators on many occasions to advocate on behalf of Dexter Schools.
What goals have you set for the next four years in regards to your possible tenure? My goals are to proactively address the financial challenges facing the district, responsibly manage our resources and maintain our physical assets, and most importantly, to continue to provide a strong educational program which provides students with rich opportunities in the arts, athletics, and in other extracurricular areas so that all students can reach their potential.
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