The news organization emailed a candidate questionnaire to three people running for re-election to the Verona Area School District (VASD) Board of Education: Jennifer Murphy, Kobe White, and Meredith Stier Christensen.
All three candidates are running unopposed for three-year terms.
Murphy, who serves as school board vice president, was elected in 2021. Mr. White was appointed in 2022 and elected in 2023. The current school board president, Steer Christensen, was elected in 2016.
Candidates were required to limit their answers to 50 words, except for one question where they could write up to 100 words. Answers may be cropped to meet word requirements.
Jennifer Murphy – At Large
Biographical information
Year: 47
Years in Verona: Resident of Fitchburg VASD since 2011. VASD teacher from 1998 to 2020
education: in Secondary Education Mathematics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison (1998). in Educational Technology from Lesley University (2002)
Profession: Self-employed – Online yoga studio owner/instructor.substitute teacher
family: My daughter, a 6th grade student at Savannah Oaks Middle School, and her two rescue dogs.
Political experience: VASD Education Committee member from April 2021
essay questions
Q: Why are you running for re-election to the Verona Area School District Board of Education?
A: “It has been an honor to serve the district community for one term. The rich work I have done so far allows me to move forward with a greater sense of mission and purpose to advance the goals and future of the district. I now have more knowledge to continue.”
Q: What are Verona Area School District's top three priorities and how will you address them?
A: “First, we will continue to support the implementation of different educational pathways for K-12 learners. By thinking creatively as a district team, beyond traditional school structures, we will We are ensuring that we are meeting the full range of learner needs. Second, we are improving the use of student outcomes data to prioritize budget decisions that advance the identified needs of our students and staff, especially , to ensure that we have staffing and classroom resources where we see identified gaps. Third, continue to elevate the voices of families and students, which is a constant focus on growth. This is a strength of the current administration.
Q: The Verona Area School District is on a mission to be a national model for educational excellence based on equity. As a school board member, how will you ensure that all students have equal access to educational opportunities?
A: “By continuing to analyze student performance data and student feedback data, the academic output and perspectives of scholars provide critical information for driving the changes needed to achieve that mission.” And by making budget decisions to fulfill our mission of equity, our spending demonstrates our commitment.”
Q: Verona Area School District launched a strategic framework during the 2023-24 school year that will guide the district through 2028. How will you help ensure successful implementation of the district's strategic framework?
A: “Through oversight reports, we hold superintendents accountable for the implementation of our policy and strategic framework. Accountability brings transparency to the community and goes beyond implementation of the framework to and measuring its impact on students' academic and personal growth.”
Q: Can you explain the importance of the school board's governance policy and how it guides your work as a school board member?
A: “Our governance structure enhances the roles and responsibilities of all district staff and leadership. Our policies provide a framework within which the superintendent works and provides a framework through which to manage the operations and instruction of the district. Practices are put in place, allowing education professionals to apply their expertise where it matters most.”
Q: How will you work to improve or maintain communication with district families and the broader Verona community?
A: “Through our past conversations, connections, and collaborations with members of the district community, we hope that our board has established a reputation for being open and responsive. We have grown in our communication with the community. I look forward to being a part of putting that goal into action.”
Kobe White – At Large
Biographical information
Year: 47
Years in Verona: twenty four
education: in International Business/African American Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.Certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Cornell University
Profession: Wisconsin Health Program Manager (Employee Trust Fund Office)
family: Married to Dr. Regina Fuller-White (Rotary International)
Political experience: Appointed to the VASD Board of Education in November 2022 and elected in April 2023
Notable affiliations: Director of “Madison's 100 Black People.'' Vice-chairman of the Sherman Phoenix Foundation. Director of the Dane County Immunization Coalition. Director of the Dane County Fall Prevention Task Force. Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated.Member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
essay questions
Q: Why are you running for re-election to the Verona Area School District Board of Education?
A: “I am running for re-election to continue to recognize and address the opportunity gap that exists among some students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds. Life factors such as economic status, language, and race can also contribute to lower success rates in education, work, or career aspirations.”
Q: What are Verona Area School District's top three priorities and how will you address them?
A: “First, we will conduct a district-wide equity audit to ensure that our policies, procedures, and curriculum are working from an equity perspective. Second, we will conduct a district-wide equity audit to ensure that our policies, procedures, and curriculum are working from an equity perspective. and the creation of a networking group (ERGS).Finally, I will leverage my relationships with community-based organizations to mentor students in need.”
Q: The Verona Area School District is on a mission to be a national model for educational excellence based on equity. As a school board member, how will you ensure that all students have equal access to educational opportunities?
A: “To ensure that all students have the tools they need to succeed, we must complete a district-wide equity audit (which the district is currently conducting). “Looking at a district's policies, procedures, operational expectations, and curriculum from an equity perspective allows us to allocate resources in an equitable manner.”
Q: Verona Area School District launched a strategic framework during the 2023-24 school year that will guide the district through 2028. How will you help ensure successful implementation of the district's strategic framework?
A: “Being a member of the Values and Belonging Committee allows me to help implement our strategic framework. I also leverage my relationships with other community-based organizations to mentor students and create a sense of belonging.” We will introduce a staff networking group to help build community for all staff.”
Q: Can you explain the importance of the school board's governance policy and how it guides your work as a school board member?
A: “The board is effective and efficient because of its key governance model, which works with the district administration, including Superintendent Clady, to develop and implement the district's operational expectations. Initiatives It is important to note that the district’s operational expectations, rather than issuance, guide us.”
Q: How will you work to improve or maintain communication with district families and the broader Verona community?
A: “By serving on many of the school district's advisory committees, I get to hear concerns and suggestions directly from parents. Finally, as a current member of the VASD Board of Education, I have identified some of the most pressing issues as a result of public comments made by parents at board meetings. I have seen and heard some of the issues being addressed and policies implemented.”
Meredith Stier Christensen – Outside the City Part 1
Biographical information
Year: 51
Years in Verona: twenty three
education: Juris Doctor – University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Law.Master of Education – National Louis University; Bachelor of Arts – University of Iowa
Profession: lawyer
family: Jeff (husband) and Graham (son)
Political experience: Member of the VASD Education Committee since 2016. Chairman from 2021. Executive Vice President from 2017 to 2021
Notable affiliations: Wisconsin Pro Bono Honor Society, 2019-2023
essay questions
Q: Why are you running for re-election to the Verona Area School District Board of Education?
A: “The VASD community is a community that I care deeply about. It has been an honor to serve the community and support our students and staff over the past eight years through my work on the Board of Directors, and I am proud to support our district. I’m really looking forward to seeing what we accomplish moving forward.”
Q: What are Verona Area School District's top three priorities and how will you address them?
A: “We must continue to close opportunity gaps, maintain high academic standards for all students, and ensure all students have the support they need to reach their full potential.” Our school district is very fortunate to have strong leadership in this area through our superintendent and excellent teachers and staff who are equally committed to achieving the same goals. As a board, we must continue to critically evaluate the district's progress toward achieving these goals and ensure that the district's budget allocations are fully aligned with these top priority areas.”
Q: The Verona Area School District is on a mission to be a national model for educational excellence based on equity. As a school board member, how will you ensure that all students have equal access to educational opportunities?
A: “As a board, we regularly review student data to assess the district’s progress toward achieving expected student outcomes. “We are able to timely identify, understand and address the obstacles and challenges that must be overcome on our way to becoming a national model of excellence based on our commitment to excellence.”
Q: Verona Area School District launched a strategic framework during the 2023-24 school year that will guide the district through 2028. How will you help ensure successful implementation of the district's strategic framework?
A: “Through significant input from the community, our strategic framework further extends the Board’s operational expectations and outcome policies to ensure that the needs of the entire student body are met at every step. We are focusing more on the necessary indicators that we need to monitor to make sure that we are traveling through our district.”
Q: Can you explain the importance of the school board's governance policy and how it guides your work as a school board member?
A: “Our governance policy outlines the scope of the board's important oversight duties. The board regularly and rigorously monitors key metrics to ensure that the district meets operational expectations. , to ensure that they are making acceptable progress towards achieving the student outcomes set out in board policy.”
Q: How will you work to improve or maintain communication with district families and the broader Verona community?
A: “Effective communication with the Verona community is an area where continuous improvement is always important. We must continue to work to identify ways to do so.”