Name: Katrina Collins
Website(s): www.ferndalecbe.org
Occupation:
Registered Dental Hygienist
Education:
AS Onondaga Community College 1981 in Dental Hygiene
Previous and/or current elected positions:
Current School Board Secretary, previous 1st Vice President FE-PTA and Secretary, Treasurer Woodland Park Improvement Association (Michigan’s oldest neighborhood group), previous Board member Drayton Avenue Co-Op Nursery School
Community involvement:
Treasurer, Woodland Park Improvement Association; Co-chair of their annual Block Party and coordinator of their sidewalk snow removal. Fundraising Chair of the Eagle’s Nest Boosters and Coordinator of concessions for the Ferndale High School football teams. I coordinate, cook and serve dinner to very hungry football players each week of the football season.
Do you currently have students in the district, and if so, what school(s) do they attend?
Three sons, Sean 2008 graduate, Connor 2012 graduate, and Daniel a current sophomore at FHS
Why do you want to be on the School Board?
Having been on the Board for five years I want to continue working to keep Ferndale Public Schools one of the best full service school districts in the state.
Why should people vote for you?
I have been involved in the Ferndale schools since my oldest son started Kindergarten in 1995 (17 years). From being a Room Mother, PTA Vice President, Remarkable Reader Coach, Ferndale Education Foundation Trustee, Market Day Chair person, Concession stand Coordinator in addition to having been a Board member on each of the School Board Committees – I have done it all. Experience and commitment are why you should vote for me.
What do you think are the top responsibilities of the School Board?
Providing quality education for all students in our community. The School Board is responsible for planning and goal setting for the district along with employing and evaluating the superintendent. The Board ensures that the district is well run.
Are there any school board decisions or policies that you disagree with, and why?
Although I know why the Lottery exists for the Open Classroom program, I feel it has created a “winner and loser” perception between the elementary schools which is not true. All of our elementary programs are successful and both programs can always be improved upon. I want to work closely with our curriculum specialists to ensure that the necessary structural changes are made to any of our programs so that everyone knows their children are getting nothing but the best, no matter what school or program they are enrolled in.
Do you think parents sending their students out of district is an issue, and if so what would you do about it?
I would be very happy if all resident students attended Ferndale Schools but that is just wishful thinking. All Michigan schools face competition for their district students with options at private, parochial and also schools of choice. It is a personal decision for each family and a democratic right! My husband and I never considered sending our children elsewhere and with that decision we chose to be as involved as we could be with Ferndale Public Schools. I believe that you get out of education systems what you put into them and it is often counter-productive to believe that the grass may be greener on the other side. My duty is to promote and support all of our students, teachers and programs. Positive conversation and promotion of the schools goes a long way.
What does Ferndale Schools do well as a district?
I believe that Ferndale is the best full service district in the state. Why? Because of our high academic standards, award-winning music programs, award-winning sports teams and award-winning schools. Ferndale Schools have classes for advanced learners, technical classes for students to learn a trade, and help for students that need extra support. It truly is full service.
What can be improved upon?
Improvements can always be made in student achievement. A lot of emphasis is put on standardized test scores and our curriculum specialists are working hard to close the gaps in those scores and making great progress over the past several years. Parents working together from reading to their children at home to helping out in the classroom can make a huge difference in student achievement.
Anything else readers should know about you?
I have been a resident of the Ferndale School District for 26 years. I have purposely worked part- time in order to participate in my children’s education from helping in their classrooms when they were younger to being the team mom now that they are older. Through working with students of all grade levels, I feel I have positively impacted the lives of many Ferndale students and will continue to do so. With my being on the School Board and my husband being the Police Chief – it gives me a finger on the pulse of what is happening in my community and in the schools. I am proud to say my children attend Ferndale Schools.
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NOTE: Katrina Collins is running on the “Citizens for Better Education” PAC slate for this election along with Keith Warnick, Jim Pfleger, and Bradford Parks. Read more about CBE at http://ferndalecbe.org/. While the four are campaigning together, voting is done on an individual basis. The election will be Nov. 6, 2012. More voting information can be found at http://oaklandcounty115.com/category/voter_info/.