School Board Candidates

The following was received via e-mail from Judy Sherry

Towns have a fabric that evolves over the years, and Radnor Middle School is
part of that fabric.  I know this community well, and I fully recognize this
fact.

Because of my commitment to education and children, I have volunteered
extensively at the middle school, serving as president and vice president and
chairing the book fair, the craft fair, the new families committee, and a
lunchtime horticultural club.   My five children have all attended the
school, and I currently have twin boys in the eighth grade.

My own personal experience with the school location has been extremely
positive.  We live in a residential corner of the township on a cul-de-sac
with no sidewalks.  By attending school in Wayne, our children have an
opportunity for independence after school that they never would have had
growing up in our neighborhood.  They mature and become familiar with their
community by walking to nearby fields, restaurants, stores, and the library.  
The small town atmosphere in Wayne encourages our children, who are
frequently "carpooled", to take their first steps toward self-sufficiency.

I remember vividly the painful experience of trying to select a location for
the new elementary school.  Wayne is one of the few locations where the
majority of the neighbors appear to truly want a middle school in their
community.

The decision to eliminate the Radnor Middle School and the administration
building has not been easy for me to accept. Bala Cynwyd Middle School
demonstrates a successful renovation of an older structure that has been
updated and expanded for modern usage.  When the architects review plans for
a school on this site, I will recommend that the board reconsider the option
that was rejected of renovating the existing buildings.

The board has, however, requested that the architects design a new facility,
and the preliminary drawings will be submitted at the end of May.  I will
review these plans carefully. If the cost of building this structure is
prohibitively expensive or the square footage specifications for the required
program simply don't fit on this site, other options would need to be
explored.

I grew up in Haverford Township and walked to the elementary school, junior
high, and high school.  I would never want to deny children in
Wayne that opportunity, but neither would I want to put an enormous burden on
taxpayers.



As a school board member, I will maintain the high standards of Radnor
Township Schools within a framework of fiscal responsibility and open
communications.

Qualifications

Radnor resident for 16 years
3 children currently in Radnor Township Schools
2 children in college, both graduates of Radnor Township Schools
former teacher - Lower Merion, Tredyffrin-Easttown, California
         leadership in Radnor PTA activities including past president of
   the Middle School PTA and co-chair of Ithan Spring Thing
  Fundraiser
Radnor A Better Chance
Consultant at Elwyn, Inc.


Although I have been a registered Republican for twenty years, the position
of school board director should not be partisan.  That is why I cross filed
in both parties.


Recommendations

Safety in Schools

Young children should be given tools for problem solving that will help
them find constructive solutions to future problems.  Bullying and teasing
cannot be tolerated.  Ideas like the Ambassador Program in the high school
should be expanded so that all children feel valued and included.

Radnor Middle School

I favor the current downtown Wayne location.  When the architects review
plans for a school on this site, I will recommend that the board reconsider
the option of using the existing buildings.

Class Size and Curriculum

Class size has a direct impact on the ability of children to learn and
teachers to connect with students.  Our curriculum must be adapted so that it
not only challenges the high and low achievers but also targets the average
students.

Communications

The administration should be encouraged to utilize the effectiveness and
efficiency of email to communicate with parents, particularly during school
emergency closings.
If students were included in parent-teacher conferences beginning in the
middle school, a better understanding of assessments and progress would occur.

Reading

While I appreciate technology and its many advantages, nevertheless, I
feel that the old fashioned value of reading books should be encouraged by
our school system, perhaps through additional outside reading requirements.



Taxes and School Spending

All taxpayers have an absolute right to demand the utmost accountability
for their tax dollars.

Accessibility

Our township schools should be open to community involvement and
opportunities to provide continuing education for seniors.

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