Kathy Finefrock

My name is Kathy Finefrock and I am running for a seat on the Coventry School Board.Many people ask why I want to tackle this job. Because I think I can help improve our situation and I care. I have been attending School Board Meetings and Fiscal Commission Meetings for years. I’ve read the current and past State assessments on our school’s report cards. I’ve reviewed our 5-year forecasts and auditors reports. I have watched with dismay Coventry Schools finances as we fell into Fiscal Emergency after 19 years in Fiscal Watch.

When a seat opened on the school board, I decided I wanted to become part of the solution. Attending these meetings and following what’s happening in the Coventry School System just wasn’t enough. Strong schools are critical to the community and our children’s future.

My Key concerns are: Educational Effectiveness and Financial Solvency

Education Effectiveness:

• - Our state test scores are trending downward
• - Recent test results show Coventry has been designated a Moderate D/F
• - The component grade of D in the category of ‘Prepared for Success’ is frightening

Our students deserve better

We need to determine how we can improve successful outcomes for students and become competitive with other districts. Our students need to be prepared for life after high school no matter what path they take.

Steps need to be taken immediately to develop a community strategy to move forward.

Financial Solvency

• - Need critical analysis of finances / State Controlled Fiscal Emergency
• - Currently we have 9 school levies, including 2 emergency levies that need continual renewal
• - Because we are in fiscal emergency the state fiscal commission oversees our spending and sets rules to follow
• - We are fortunate to have quality teachers and staff, and our compensation options are limited due to fiscal emergency.
• - Open enrollment is a financial issue and we need to balance it to best serve the residents of Coventry.

I am aware that the School Board faces many challenges and I don’t have all the answers. I can bring a new viewpoint and if elected I will have an open mind on the issues and will work with the other members to initiate positive change.

I thank you for your time and ask for your vote November 5 th.

1. Why are you the best candidate for the office?

I am the best candidate to fill the empty seat on the Coventry School Board.

I have been active in attending Coventry School Board meetings for over seven years. I also attended the Fiscal Commission meeting when our school district fell into fiscal emergency after nineteen years of fiscal watch. I have listened to the state auditors reports on ways to fix our problems and followed the yearly financial report. I have heard our past Superintendent and Treasurers try to explain the dilemma and advise how we might make improvements. I was at the yearly meetings when the state academic assessments of the Coventry Schools were explained.

Our schools are facing both an academic and fiscal crisis. We have a new Superintendent and a new Treasurer working to resolve many issues. After years of following the challenges that our school system is facing, I am well aware of the problems. I am willing to spend all of the time and energy that it takes working with the Board to improve our schools. Quality schools can be the catalyst that Coventry needs to entice young families who are looking for good community in which to live and raise their children.

2. What are the current challenges facing the Board and how will you meet those challenges?

The current challenges facing the Coventry School Board are education and finances.

Academics need to be first and foremost. Coventry High School received a D grade as an overall score. Even more discouraging was a component grade of D in the category of Prepared for Success. We need to enlist our teachers, guidance counselors and parents in helping us tackle this issue. Their input will give us the clarity to determine where the problems begin. We need to do whatever we can as a School Board to help prepare our students for their future endeavors whether they be college, trade school or the job market.

Hand in hand with the academic problems, we need to address the resolution of the Fiscal Emergency and Fiscal Watch issues that have plagued the system for over 20 years. We need to specifically deal with the financial challenges that have been identified by the State Auditors. First is the continual renewal of our emergency tax levies. We have nine school levies, two of which are emergency. These are a financial drain on our community. Secondly, the State Fiscal Commission now oversees our spending, implementing a set of rules that we must follow to get approval on any projects. This hampers our ability to function as a District. Finally, we must develop a financially responsible reduction plan to address Open Enrollment. The State has identified this as a major drain on the systems finances. We are not looking to eliminate this program, just bring it into balance.

3. What kind of relationship should the Board have with the community, its parents and families?

The School Board should have a working relationship with the community, parents and families in our district. The Board works for the community – that is why we are elected by the voters. We owe the tax payers of Coventry a quality school system while being fiscally responsible with their tax dollars.

The Board and Superintendent need to be accountable to all citizens of Coventry. We need input from the community on both the good and the bad. Any community member, parent or family should feel welcome to question decisions that the Board makes. The board should always be open to this input and take their concerns seriously.

The Board also needs involvement from those that work for the school. These employees see what goes on daily and can all help the Board on issues that present challenges to the District. I will encourage all members of the community to attend the Board meetings to listen and ask questions so that together we can make Coventry a great school system.

4. What ideas do you have for ensuring safety in your school district?

Safety is very important in our schools. The state sets guidelines that we must follow and keep updated. We need to ensure that employees responsible for security are capable and well trained on procedures.

Coventry school administrators must maintain our security system and practices to assure that they are in proper working condition and compliant. All buildings need to perform required safety drills to assure that students, teachers and administrators are well prepared. Access to our buildings must be monitored and controlled as required.

We need to maintain a working relationship with law enforcement and the fire department. The presence of a resource officer can help build a comfort level for students, staff, administrators and the community.

The world is changing and we must do all that we can to provide a secure environment.