The News-Herald

Election Questionnaire
Name: Virginia Jeschelnig Age: 59 Home Address: Date of Birth: 12/15/53 7942 Gallowae Court Political Party : Non Partisan election

Date questionnaire completed: 9/10/2013 Office sought: Mentor Exempted Village Schools Board of Education

Place of Birth: Cleveland, Ohio

Mentor, Ohio

Length of Residence in that community: 29 years Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vjeschelnig Campaign Web site: http://mentorboard.org Occupation: Teacher/Media specialist (retired, June 2013) Non-elected office experience: Mentor Schools District Leadership Team; Mentor Schools District RTI Committee, the Mentor Schools Middle School Transition Committee, the Mentor Schools District Technology Committee. Schools: Ursuline College, B.A.; Kent State University, M.L.S. Name and age of any children: Rich Jr. (Rachel); Erich (Carrie); Jim. (Residents of Mentor and graduates of Mentor Public Schools.) Three grandchildren who will be Mentor grade-schoolers. Organizations: Mentor Schools Foundation, Lake County Retired Teachers Association / Ohio Retired Teachers Association. Should you be elected, what are three specific areas youd like to change, address : If elected, my first goal will be to work effectively with the other four board members. My three areas of particular interest are: 1. Stabilizing school funding - Boards of education and school leaders across Ohio see the alarming shift in state funding patterns which have depleted the operating budgets in Ohio districts. Continuing the districts excellent management of available resources through Mentors CFO and superintendent via zero-based budgeting is a priority. I am interested in working actively through our state representatives and the Ohio School Boards Association to restore state funding. 2. Managing standardized testing - Testing is intended to be a tool for promoting student growth and intervention. I support district initiatives to limit testing to those purposes and to keep time and resources focused on instruction. 3. Career Technical Education and career preparation opportunities The districts work to examine the middle school curriculum and broaden secondary career tech offerings are important initiatives to assist students with planning and preparing for the future. I support continuing to follow students in the five year post graduation period to examine how well they were prepared for college or workplace. Using that information, curricula/programs can be tailored in partnership with local employers and Ohios post-secondary institutions.

The News-Herald
Election Questionnaire

Date questionnaire completed: 9/10/2013 Office sought: Mentor Exempted Village Schools Board of Education

Whether for past accomplishments or future goals, why should voters elect you? Excellence in any district depends upon the successful partnership between the community and the education team. The School Board represents the community in forging that critical link, while managing the fiscal realities of a publicly funded institution. I would like to serve as a part of that link. After 21 years teaching grades Kindergarten through twelfth, and 14 years as a public librarian; I know the challenge of meeting the educational needs of children and their families and being accountable to the community I serve. I believe that it is important to have an educator on the board of education. After all, what would a board of health be without a doctor? Having just retired from the classroom after 18 years in Mentor, this is the moment when I can best contribute important insights and a relevant voice to decision-making and discussion. I have been in all the buildings in the district and have been involved in district-wide collaboration throughout my career. My heart is here in Mentor where I have been a parent, taxpayer and now grandparent. My style is collaboration informed by thoughtful research and dialogue to best serve our stakeholders and to preserve opportunity for every child. I pride myself on problem-solving and listening thoughtfully to all viewpoints to maximize the return on every taxpayer dollar. This is the community that has offered my children a wonderful education and given me the chance to grow professionally. My commitment to its schools is 100%.