Meet the Wayzata School Board Candidates: Joan Curtiss

Lake Minnetonka Patch asked candidates five questions about their backgrounds and important issues facing the school district.

Check Patch regularly to see information on each candidate and feel free to ask your own questions of the candidates below each article.

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Joan Curtiss is one of seven who have filed for the four open seats on the Wayzata School Board.  The four spots are each a four-year term. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 8.

Background: (Political experience, career/job experience, family, volunteer or other civic engagement.)

Curtiss: "The Wayzata School Board is the first political office I have run for  - post college. While in college at the University of Minnesota, I ran for Business Board and was fortunate to be elected. I am currently the Vice President, Human Resources at Waycrosse, Inc. Waycrosse is located in Cargill Office Center in Wayzata."

"I live in Wayzata and have been in this community for more than 14 years. My husband, Scott and I have four daughters who have all gone through the district and have successfully graduated from Wayzata High School. Our granddaughter, Charlotte, is just beginning at Wayzata this year."

"I have been very connected to the community through the Site Council, PTA Vice President and President, Senior Party Co-chair and committee member, Sunday School Teacher and Confirmation guide for more than 10 years and have volunteered for over seven years as a Guardian ad litem."

Budget: How do you plan to address the school district's budget issues? What are the main issues with the district's budget? What can or cannot be done at the School Board level to address those issues?

Curtiss: "I plan to address the school district’s budget issues by further understanding each component of the budget and gaining insights from other board members, Superintendent and his executive staff, so that I understand why the budget looks as it does today, and why certain decisions have been made. From this understanding, I plan to review and make recommendations as appropriate."

"The main issue is that we need to ensure that the district remains fiscally strong and that expenses that can be managed are done so. I want to also to make sure we can gain any productivity enhancements with our staff – one idea is implementing and measuring employee engagement. I have already met with the district to exchange some best practice ideas around this topic."

Enrollment/facilities: How should the district address enrollment and facility use issues? What are the main issues with the district's enrollment and facility use?

Curtiss: "The enrollment and facility use is an important issue for our district and will continue to be important to staff ahead of the needs. The district needs to support both the fiscal responsibility along with the opportunity for all students to be successful. I plan to research more to help create some innovative ideas to this difficult problem."

Curriculum/testing: What do you think should be changed with what is being taught in the classrooms today? How do you think issues of meeting state and federal student achievement standards can be addressed? What is missing to improve student achievement in the Wayzata School District? (Or do you think nothing is missing?)

Curtiss: "The district’s proposed mission is to provide world-class education, is spot on.  To do so, we need to constantly be challenging the curriculum with the question is this getting us to our mission? If not, we need to adjust in a way that aligns with our mission. The world is changing and technology is a key component of these changes.  Studies are showing that the impact of all technology is changing the way our children are processing information.  It is critical that we support these changes to ensure the world-class education we intend to provide."

Image: How do you think the district is perceived by those who live in it and those who do not? What do you think can be improved for the district to better communicate with the community and others? How would you address issues with the district's image?

Curtiss: "The perception of the district varies by the collection of individuals that represent our district. The word I hear the most as I talk with people is, excellence. There is pride in the excellence of our district. The number one issue from people, is what are we going to do to ensure the excellence continues?  The answer has to include: effective fiscal management, engaged staff and customer satisfaction as defined by the students, parents and all people in our district."

"We need to measure and improve each of these components.  With my background in business and experience in each of these areas, I can bring great solutions to tough problems to ensure the excellence in the district provides for the mission to provide a world-class education."

(For more information about Joan Curtiss or to share your thoughts and ideas, go tojoancurtiss.com.)