Sharon Shah sharonshah13@outlook.com
1. Please tell voters a little about yourself, how long you have lived in the district, and why you want to serve on the Lowell Area School Board of Education.
My name is Sharon Shah, and I am thrilled to introduce myself as a candidate for the Lowell Area School Board of Education. I have been a resident of this district for a decade, and in that time, Lowell has truly become my home. I have fallen in love with the people of our community—you have my heart!
I am a down-to-earth person with a wealth of real-world experience. My daughter has had the opportunity to complete grades 6 through 11 in our district, with a big, fun year ahead to seal the deal on high school. Her experience has been wonderful, and I am committed to ensuring all students have access to the same quality education and support.
I believe I am a unique and relatable option for voters, offering a fresh perspective on the School Board. I aim to represent parents who feel underrepresented, invalidated, and worn out. I have worked with schools to advocate for IEPs and have listened to community voices facing hardships in navigating the school system. I understand the importance of providing every student with equal opportunities to learn.
My background in architecture and my entrepreneurial experience have equipped me with strong problem-solving and strategic planning skills. I love a good challenge and am willing to fight for all of Lowell, not just the underrepresented. Together, we can create a vibrant, inclusive, and effective educational environment for all students in the Lowell Area School District.
2. In what ways have you invested, volunteered, and engaged with the district and the Greater Lowell community?
I am deeply committed to investing in and engaging with the Lowell community on a daily basis. My involvement spans various areas, reflecting my dedication to making a positive impact in our district.
One of my primary ways of giving back is by volunteering at the Alpha Care Center, where I assist families in obtaining essential material resources. Additionally, I am certified to help install and inspect car seats, ensuring the safety of our community's youngest members.
My mentorship extends to Cherry Creek, where I have the privilege of mentoring a young student, providing guidance and support as they navigate their educational journey. This one-on-one interaction has been incredibly rewarding and has strengthened my connection to the school community.
I also play an active role in our digital community by helping to administer a Lowell community page on Facebook. This platform allows me to stay connected with residents, share important information, and foster a sense of community online.
While my direct work with the school has primarily involved collaborating with administrators to support my daughter's education, these experiences have given me valuable insights into the educational system and the challenges faced by families in our district.
Through these various forms of engagement, I strive to be a good neighbor and a proactive member of the Lowell community. My daily interactions and volunteer efforts have allowed me to build strong relationships and understand the needs of our residents. I am eager to bring this dedication and experience to the Lowell Area School Board of Education, where I can continue to advocate for and support our community.
1. Please define what you understand “parental rights” to mean regarding public school districts, what you know about mechanisms LAS has in place to support parental rights, if you see those as inadequate or lacking, and if so, what you would propose as a board member to address concerns.
1. **Enhanced Communication**: Create more effective ways for parents to get information and share their concerns, including regular virtual meetings and surveys to gather their feedback.
2. **Increased Parental Involvement**: Provide more chances for parents to participate in decision-making processes, such as forming advisory committees to offer input on school policies and initiatives.
3. **Transparency**: Offer clear and timely updates on any changes affecting students and seek input from parents before implementing new policies.
4. **Support for Special Needs**: Provide additional resources and training sessions to help parents of students with special needs advocate effectively for their children.
5. **Fair Access and Participation**: Ensure all parents, regardless of their background or circumstances, have equal access to information and opportunities to participate. This may include providing materials in multiple languages and offering assistance for parents with disabilities.
By implementing these measures, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all parents, ensuring their rights are upheld and their voices are heard. As a board member, I aim to work collaboratively with parents, educators, and the community to benefit all students in the Lowell Area School District.
2. In recent years, LAS has added an elementary math coordinator, literacy coordinator, after-school tutoring programs, summer school, and middle and high school mental health support. Work is underway to determine how successful the programs and projects initiated with Covid-era ESSER funds have been, and whether they can be maintained when those run out this school year. Some may continue by using the district’s general fund, and others only if there are new grants available.
If there are not adequate funds or grants, some tough decisions will have to be made that may not be unanimously popular. What sources might the BoE explore to help make those decisions?
With the recent 30% drop in student enrollment at Lowell schools, we need to consider how to repurpose the roles of affected staff members. At the same time, it’s important to gather feedback and assess the community’s perception of these positions.
To make well-informed decisions, the Board of Education (BoE) should focus on:
1. **Community Feedback**: Reach out to parents, teachers, students, and other community members through surveys and meetings to understand which programs and positions they value most and should be prioritized.
2. **Program Impact Data**: Review the data from the Covid-era ESSER-funded programs to evaluate their effectiveness. Programs that have shown positive results should be given priority in our decision-making.
3. **Cost-Benefit Analysis**: Analyze the financial aspects and benefits of each program to determine which ones offer the most value. This will help us make decisions that maximize our resources.
6. **Budget Reallocation**: Look at the district’s current budget to see if funds can be shifted to support the most essential programs. This might involve cutting less critical areas or finding cost-saving measures.
7. **Advocacy for Additional Funding**: Work with local legislators and engage in advocacy efforts to secure more state or federal funding. Making a strong case for the importance of these programs can help us get the financial support we need.
8. **Grants and Fundraising**: Invest in grant writing and explore new funding opportunities. Organizing fundraising events and seeking community support can also help us maintain critical programs.
By using these strategies, we can make informed decisions that reflect the needs and priorities of our community while finding meaningful roles for staff members and addressing the challenges posed by declining enrollment.
3. How would you assist a parent or community member in addressing an issue when they are asking you to solve a problem or make a change that is outside your scope as a board member?
If a parent or community member approached me with an issue outside my scope as a board member, I would do my best to assist them. I pride myself on being a great networker, so I would connect them with the appropriate resources and individuals who can help.
While listening to their concerns, I would ensure that they feel encouraged, empathized with, and validated. By providing support and guidance, I aim to help them navigate their challenges and find effective solutions.
4. Besides core subjects, students learn teamwork, initiative, respectful debate, informed decision-making, and critical and independent thinking. Please articulate the value of learning these skills in school.
Beyond core subjects, schools play a crucial role in teaching skills that are essential for success in work and adult life. These include teamwork, initiative, respectful debate, informed decision-making, and critical and independent thinking.
Teamwork teaches students how to collaborate effectively with others, a skill that is vital in almost every workplace. Initiative encourages students to take charge and show leadership, which is highly valued in any career. Respectful debate helps students learn to communicate their ideas and opinions while considering others’ perspectives, fostering a respectful and productive work environment.
Informed decision-making equips students with the ability to analyze information, weigh options, and make sound choices. Critical and independent thinking encourages them to question assumptions, solve problems creatively, and think for themselves.
I strongly encourage the development of these skills as they provide a valuable foundation for adult life. They prepare students to navigate complex situations, contribute meaningfully to their communities, and achieve their personal and professional goals. By promoting these skills in school, we are equipping students with the tools they need to succeed for many years to come.
5. ‘Feeling safe’ in school varies given learning styles, peer group/social dynamics, and home situations for the more than 4,000-plus members of LAS staff; administrators; parents; elementary, middle, and high school students; as well as for those with special needs. What is the BoE’s role in striving to meet and simultaneously balance all of these?
Making sure everyone feels safe at school is a big job, especially with over 4,000 people including staff, students, parents, and those with special needs. The Board of Education (BoE) has an important role in this.
Here’s how the BoE can help:
1. Create Good Policies: Set up rules that promote safety, respect, and inclusion for everyone. This includes anti-bullying policies and support for mental health.
2. Provide Resources: Make sure schools have what they need to keep everyone safe, like counselors, special education services, security measures, and training for staff.
3. Listen to the Community: Get input from students, parents, teachers, and others to understand their needs and concerns. This helps make policies that work for everyone.
4. Support Diverse Needs: Recognize that different people have different needs. Provide personalized learning plans, social-emotional learning programs, and targeted support services.
5. Check and Improve: Regularly check how well the safety measures are working. Use data to find out what’s going well and what needs to be improved.
6. Training for Staff: Give teachers, administrators, and staff ongoing training on how to create a safe and inclusive environment. This includes cultural competency, conflict resolution, and mental health awareness.
By focusing on these areas, the BoE can help make sure everyone in the school community feels safe and supported. It takes a team effort and ongoing work to balance the needs of all students, staff, and parents.
6. Lowell Area Schools has implemented policies and programs supportive of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; social-emotional learning and Positive Intervention Behaviors and Support. Are you supportive of each of those items? Why or why not? Is there anything you would advocate as a board member to affect or improve upon those areas?
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7. What steps have you taken so far to learn the main issues that face this district and/or the current board? What are the top three areas of focus for the district as you see it?
To learn about the main issues facing our district and the current Board of Education, I’ve taken a few key steps. I’ve been out in the community, listening to people’s concerns and experiences with the BoE. Additionally, I’ve been studying the meeting minutes to understand the board’s decisions and feel confident in my knowledge.
As I see it, the top three areas of focus for the district should be:
1. Higher Education Standards: We need to raise the bar for our students’ academic achievements.
2. Transparency: It’s important to make sure the board’s actions and decisions are clear and open to the public.
3. Future Funding: We must secure and manage funds effectively to support our schools now and in the future.
8. Do you think the current process at LAS for receiving, investigating, and resolving a request to remove a book from the district libraries is thorough, fair, and respectful of all parents’ rights?
I believe there’s always room for improvement in the current process at LAS for handling requests to remove books from district libraries. I’m open to continuing to develop this process and being sensitive to parents’ concerns.
I truly value parents who feel it’s their duty to watch out for our kids, and their concerns should be taken seriously. From what I understand, parents are mainly worried about their children accessing books that may not be appropriate for them. We need to make sure the process is thorough, fair, and respectful of all parents’ rights.
9. How can or should LAS set itself apart from other area districts to attract and retain qualified staff and support positions, given budget constraints and talent shortages?
To attract and retain qualified staff despite budget constraints and talent shortages, LAS should:
1. **Engage with the Community**: The superintendent should network and continue to find innovative way to reach our community. Through the upcoming expo with the Chamber of Commerce and continue exposure at our local expos and community gatherings.
2. **Use Social Media**: Promote job openings and the benefits of working at LAS on various platforms.
3. **Partner with Higher Education**: Work with colleges to find and recruit talented graduates.
4. **Offer Incentives**: Provide incentives such as professional development opportunities and competitive benefits to make LAS an attractive place to work.
10. How many school board meetings have you been to or watched recordings of, and do you see the current board as lacking in any area?
I've watched many recordings to stay informed. While I appreciate the efforts of the current board, I believe there is room for improvement in terms of representation and diversity of thought. It seems that the board often votes unanimously, which can sometimes indicate a lack of diverse perspectives.
I strongly feel that we need equal representation for all families in our district. It's essential to have different viewpoints to ensure that all voices are heard and considered. I am committed to stepping out of the "group think" mentality and bringing fresh perspectives to the board, advocating for the needs and concerns of every family in our community. By doing so, we can make more balanced and inclusive decisions that benefit everyone.
11. School boards are multi-faceted and dynamic, and serving can be challenging, time consuming, and complex. How would your personal and professional strengths and skills complement the Board? How would you handle differences of opinion to stay focused on the goal of improved student learning?
Serving on a school board is indeed challenging, time-consuming, and complex. My personal and professional strengths will be a great asset to the Board. I am a fighter and will work tirelessly to ensure I am fully equipped and knowledgeable about all the topics I am voting on. My natural ability to work well with others and my commitment to educational standards will be at the core of each decision I make.
In my professional experience, I have had the opportunity to work with a board to drive innovation and make impactful changes. This has taught me the importance of collaboration, open communication, and staying focused on our shared goals.
When differences of opinion arise, I will handle them with compassion and empathy. I believe in listening to all perspectives and finding common ground to ensure our decisions are in the best interest of improved student learning. My approach is always to validate others’ viewpoints and work together towards a brighter future for our students and community.
With hope and determination, I am committed to making a positive impact on the Board and ensuring that we provide the best educational opportunities for all students.