Schools

School Board Candidate Profile: Tracy Brunnette

There are four four-year positions on the District 833 School Board up for election this year, and one two-year term.

The South Washington County School Board has five seats up for election in 2013.

Four members will be elected to four-year terms; one will be elected to fill the vacancy of the two-year term expiring Jan. 4, 2016.

There are 14 people vying for the four-year terms and three candidates for the two-year term.

Tracy Brunnette, an incumbent from Cottage Grove, is vying for a four-year term.

Find out what's happening in Woodburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Check back on Patch for more candidate profiles.

Patch: Why are you running for school board?

Find out what's happening in Woodburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Brunnette: I am running for the school board because I am passionate about education.

I have heard the USA being compared to other countries and how we don’t compete globally. One thing we have to remember is the USA chooses to educate EVERY child. Other countries choose to “weed” kids out as early as kindergarten so not every child gets the same educational opportunities. I am proud to say the USA does not do that. I truly believe education is the most important investment we make in our future!

I am proud to advocate for the education of District 833 students and want to continue to advocate on behalf of our district, which is why I am running for re-election.

Patch: What qualifications do you have?

Brunnette: My accounting background as well as my experience as an employee and volunteer for District 833 since 1993 give me the knowledge and experience necessary to be an excellent board member.

I am not afraid to ask questions or do more research to make the best decision possible for our students.

Patch: How are you voting on the three ballot questions? Why?

Brunnette: I support the three referendum questions.

The district’s expenses, like utilities and wages, continue to rise. The funding the district receives from the state has not kept up with inflation and, unfortunately, additional operating money is needed to continue to provide the opportunities the district currently provides to students or to expand those opportunities.

Our district will continue to grow and it is a prudent decision to buy land now for future additional space needs.

Patch: What is the biggest challenge facing District 833 schools? How would you address it?

Brunnette: Education doesn’t move fast enough to keep up with the changes we are seeing in the world. We are educating our kids today for jobs that don’t even exist.

We need to make sure we provide our students with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful when interviewing for the jobs they will be applying for in the future.

A good first step is the use of technology in the classroom. Technology puts the most current information at our students’ fingertips, which is critical in our ever-changing world.

It is imperative the information we use to teach our students is the most up to date. Textbooks simply can’t be kept up to date. If question two passes, the district will upgrade the infrastructure to support more technology in classrooms. We need to make sure our students are receiving the best education we can provide for their futures and ours.

Patch: Anything else you'd like to add?

Brunnette: For any additional information or if you have questions, please email me at tt2085@yahoo.com.

• • • •

For updates and other information about the community, join us on Patch, Like us on Facebook and follow Woodbury on Twitter.



Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here