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Phone
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Email
debra.strawhun@gmail.com
Town where you live
Poulsbo
I have worked in public schools for many years and in multiple capacities. Most of my career has been as a speech language pathologist working with students PK-12th grade. I have also been a classroom teacher, a teacher on special assignment (TOSA), the early childhood coordinator, responsible for regulatory guidance and compliance with special education law, a representative on the executive board and representative council as well as on the bargaining team for the Bremerton Education Association.
I have parental experience. While my three sons attended North Kitsap schools, Poulsbo Elementary, Poulsbo Middle School and North Kitsap High School, I was the president of the PTA, on the Facilities Advisory Committee and co-chaired the citizens group to pass the 2001 bond to build Kingston High School.
* Facilities - replacement of Pierson Elementary needs to be a priority because of the health and safety concerns that must be addressed. There are other facilities issues including remodeling some buildings at North Kitsap High School and the movement of the central kitchen, that could be addressed with a bond,
* Support for students with social, emotional and behavioral needs. Increasingly students are in crisis and have experienced trauma. Making schools a safe place with trained mental health professionals not only helps that individual student but the school as a whole.
* Expansion of the District’s career pathways program. An increase in the number of Career and Technical Education offerings, the facilities to support the growth as well as possible expansion to middle school would benefit students and their families.
Regarding facilities: Information will have to be gathered through listening sessions with voters and consultation with the Facilities Advisory Committee. A bond could be a hard sell in light of the failure of the 2024 bond and with declining enrollment in the district. If not a bond, levy dollars?
Regarding social emotional behavioral needs: That would look like a counselor/interventionist with a speciality in behavior management at each school. All staff trained in trauma informed instruction. A social emotional learning (SEL) program implemented school wide. These supports would benefit individual students as well the entire school environment.
Regarding expanding CTE offerings: Support teachers who have an interest in teaching CTE classes. Encourage the potential re-organization of facilities to accommodate those new pathways.
* Physical safety: The levy that passed in 2024 included money to improve perimeter fencing and require all visitors to enter through a secured entry way, greeted by a staff member with the goal of controlling access to the school. Deferred maintenance, out dated systems and outdated facilities can impact the health and safety of our children. Upgrading and replacement of facilities as well as the security measure will ensure safety of our children.
* Emotional safety: The prevention of bullying and providing a safe supportive school environment requires a school wide effort in social emotional learning. Having trained behavior specialists available, the training of all staff regarding trauma, the development of community partnerships, and the development of programs to meet the needs of all students so each child can acces their education. These supports will ensure the emotional and physical safety of all student.
Students, parents and teachers are a team and their interests can not be separated. Safety of students physically and emotionally is always the top priority followed by a rigorous academic environment. Students and teachers need manageable class sizes, with resources that meet the needs of all students so they can be successful at their own academic level. For example students in the highly capable program may have different program needs than those in multi language programs, Title/Lap or special education. Parents want highly trained competent professionals and teachers want their instruction to be effective, which takes continuous professional development, a living wage (so they don’t have to work two jobs) and a supportive administration and school board. Additionally, parents want timely, clear, consistent communication and confidence that their child is getting their needs met physically, emotionally and academically.
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