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SOESD candidates Christine Norton-Cotts, left top, Jim Harrington, Rosie Converse, James Jarrard, Annie Valtierra-Sanchez, left below, Maud Powell, Toni Webb Wednesday Apr 26, 2017 at 12:01 AM The following candidates are running for the Southern Oregon Education Service District in the May 16 Special District election. DonnaJean Wendle, who is running for Zone 1, and Debora McCreedy, who's running for Zone 7, did not return a Mail Tribune questionnaire. One candidate did not provide a photograph. Ballots go out Friday. GREG APPLEN Zone 6 Age: 71 Residence: Medford Occupation: Retired Education: Bachelor's, Oregon State University Political experience: Have served on the SOESD board for two-plus terms. Top priorities if elected: Continue to aid the SOESD in servicing its constituent districts by providing effective and productive programs. ROSIE CONVERSE Zone 6 Age: 29 Residence: Medford Occupation: Software developer Education: Bachelor of Science in Business and Computer Science Political experience: None Top priorities if elected: 1) Support SOESD in continuing to provide much needed and highly specialized services to children in our region. 2) Raise awareness for SOESD. The agency does incredible work within the community, providing services that would otherwise be too expensive for school districts to provide on their own. JIM HARRINGTON Zone 2 Age: 71 Residence: Grants Pass Occupation: Retired Education: Master's, University of Santa Clara; Bachelor's, University of California, Santa Barbara Political experience: Appointed to SOESD board in July 2006, re-elected twice Top priorities if elected: 1) I will represent taxpayers by providing fiscal oversight and by promoting economic efficiency. 2) I will propose policies that ensure the delivery of educational services, especially to special needs students, and that support essential technological infrastructure services for the 13 component school districts. JAMES JARRARD Zone 5 Age: 65 Residence: Ashland Occupation: Retired school system administrator and teacher Education: Master of Science, University of Southern California; Bachelor of Arts, Michigan State University Political experience: Education communication/public information specialist, School Advisory Council action officer, teacher/school system employment negotiator (union/district negotiations) Top priorities if elected: 1) Expand availability of STEM opportunities for students in Southern Oregon. Skills in STEM lead to employment and continuing education opportunities. 2) Ensure the effective provision of educational services to special needs students, as appropriate to their educational needs. CHRISTINE NORTON-COTTS Zone 5 Age: 64 Residence: Ashland Occupation: Office assistant for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival's Costume Department Education: Master of Fine Arts, Theatre, Southern Methodist University; bachelor's with departmental honors in Theatre Arts, Mills College Political experience: Currently serve on the SOESD board; previous experiences include Ashland School District Budget Committee member and Ashland High School Site Council member. Top priorities if elected: 1) Maintain and strengthen currently successful programs while being actively curious about other effective programs in districts within and outside of Southern Oregon. (Envision!) What can we learn from other ESDs and their programs which could strengthen and enhance our students educational experiences. (Engage!) 2) Investigate creative opportunities for funding. ESD and school district budgets are limited by the state provided funding. Even though districts "make due," it is not enough. How can we be creative with the funding provided? MAUD POWELL Zone 7 Age: 44 Residence: Jackson County Occupation: Farmer, Oregon State University professor of practice Education: Master's in Environmental Studies Political experience: None Top priorities if elected: 1) I will work to collaborate with community partners and businesses to bring local, healthy foods into the school system, as research highlights the connection between nutritious school food and school performance (Wilder Research, January 2014.) As chair of the Rogue Valley Food System Network, I have experience collaborating with a wide range of agencies and organizations to make local foods more accessible. 2) I will also work to make appropriate technology available in classrooms throughout the district, in an effort to improve vocational training and career-readiness for all students. ANNIE VALTIERRA-SANCHEZ Zone 8 Age: Not given Residence: Central Point Occupation: Community organizer/volunteer Education: Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Anthropology; AAOT in Psychology Political experience: None Top priorities if elected: I want to help make sure our region’s school districts can meet our students’ needs and prepare all students for vocational training or college. Increasing community partnerships, resource sharing and collaborations among districts, and providing up-to-date technology are a few of the ways we can enhance student achievement. By strengthening education, we strengthen our community’s economy by ensuring that there is a pool of skilled and qualified job candidates. TONI WEBB Zone 2 Age: 65 Residence: Grants Pass Occupation: Internet marketing consultant; community advocate Education: Master's in Business Administration, University of Phoenix; Bachelor's in Business and Communication, Marylhurst University; International Peoples College, Denmark; certificates in Change Leadership, Project Management, Human Resource Management Political experience: Grants Pass Historic Buildings & Site Commission, appointed by City Council; prior candidate for Josephine County commissioner Top priorities if elected: 1) Promote programs and services that will increase the graduation rate. 2) Increase return on investment for budget.