Candidate profile: Paula Reed

For Jeffco Public Schools District 2

Posted

Profession: Customer Service/Retired Teacher

Residence: Lakewood

Campaign Website: Paulareedforjeffcoschools.com

Why are you seeking this office?

Over the years, I have watched decisions made by legislators and school boards that have eroded the trust of our families, communities, and employees.

I am running to make sure that there is the voice of an educator on the school board, one who understands how decisions made in the boardroom impact the classroom. I will place the interests of children at the head of every decision I make.

What makes you the best person for the job?

I have experience as an actual educator. I taught high school, elementary school, was a dean of students, and served on a committee for a major remodel of Columbine in 1994. As a teacher, I had everything from high-achieving students to those at risk of dropping out and everything in between. I understand the practicalities of the classroom.

What are your top three priorities if elected?

First, we must keep our children safely in school, in person, without interruption. This is best accomplished by working in tandem with Jefferson County Public Health.

Another priority is attracting and retaining great educators and support professionals. We simply must invest in quality people and keep them.

In the long term, we need to address funding and the state budget by demand that state-level school funding comply with state constitutional requirements.

Student test score results were flagging across the district, even before COVID-19. What is the number one way you’d seek to improve student achievement?

The best use of standardized test scores is as indicators of places where more support is needed. The best way to raise test scores is to shore up areas that indicate a need for improvement, whether that is paying greater attention to particular demographic cohorts, improving curriculum, or reallocating district resources.

What do you believe is the most important thing to keep in mind when making Covid-related decisions?

The number one priority is to keep kids in school, in person, safely and without interruption. State-wide evidence shows fewer COVID cases in districts that mandate masks, and so I see this mandate staying in place until a vaccine is available to all school-age children. At that point, we should work with Jefferson County Public Health to reassess the best way to keep kids in school safely.

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