Candidate questionnaire: Lynn Ware

NAME: LYNN WARE

AGE: 52

PLACE OF BIRTH: FLINT MICH

SPOUSE, CHILDREN'S NAMES:

ERICA WARE...DAUGHTER

OCCUPATION:

CAPE GIRARDEAU SAFE COMMUNITIES COORDINATOR

EMPLOYER: CITY OF CAPE

BUSINESS OWNED, ALL OR PART:

NONE

PREVIOUS OFFICES HELD OR SOUGHT:

NONE

WHY DID YOU VOTE FOR/AGAINST THE DRESS CODE PROPOSAL?

I voted against the uniform dress code. I believe we should have implemented the policy we had in place, along with its penalties. Regardless of who the children's parents are, whose parent is on what board or because we don't want to offend certain people. What are we showing our young people when we put polices in place and we don't follow them ourselves? Look at Washington...they're our example of what happens when we don't follow polices, look at our country. Polices are put in place to give us structure and order. As technology and time changes, policies might need to be revisited. However, it does no one any good if the policy is not enforced. I would like for parents/caregivers to also their part. Let's help our children go to school to learn and for now let's move forward and make this dress code fair and logical for everyone.

WHAT ACTION WILL YOU TAKE TO HELP REPAIR A HURT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOME PARENTS AND THE SCHOOLS CAUSED BY THE DRESS CODE ISSUE?

I have been in this community for 34 years and have traveled to many cities and states. I learned a long time ago you cannot make everyone happy. However, I am willing to sit down and talk to parents/caregivers about any complaint they may have. Everyone must be willing to keep an open mind and remember that it's not about the parents' preferences; it's about our children getting a great education. Whether we agree with the policy or not, the purpose of the policy is to remove any obstacles or distractions to learning. Everyone should be able to agree on that goal.

THE NUMBER OF CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS GOING TO A 4-YEAR UNIVERSITY OR COLLEGE HAS DROPPED BY NEARLY 15 PERCENT SINCE 2008. WHAT CAN A SCHOOL BOARD DO TO ADDRESS THAT?

In order to turn this number around, we must begin with the guidance counselors and parents. The goal of this office is to guide the children to make life choices that will help them be productive and contributing members of society. Nearing graduation is an exciting time period for high school students, so guiding their life choices should be done with energy and positivity. There should be more interaction between the guidance office and students/families in relation to information sharing, such as mini-college fairs and scholarship/grant research and application. This would get students more involved and excited about making a decision for their next step in life, which ultimately gives them ownership and accountability. Many times parents don't know where to find information to help guide their children. This team approach would educate parents and children to make the best decisions possible.

My second concern in this area is what I view to be tracking. I personally know young people who were told they were "not college material". Therefore, they were not guided down a path that would allow them to believe they could attain a college degree. This resulted in class selection that was just enough to earn a high school diploma. Since graduation, some of those young people have worked hard and attended college anyway. Every student should be educated and guided in a way that is realistic but still hopeful and positive.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE MOST PRESSING NEED IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT?

I would like to find out why our students are dropping out at the rate that they are.

More parent involvement in their children's academics.

More Diversity in teachers.