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Office Profile:
Office Title: Orange County School Board - District Seven
Term: Four years
Salary: $40,887
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Candidate: Laura Keller
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Educational Background: I graduated from Washingtonville
High School in Orange County, New York. I attended Orange County
Community College completing all academic classes working towards
an accounting degree. I have received the designation from the Internal
Revenue Service as an Enrolled Agent, giving me the privilege of
representing tax payers before the IRS.
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Age: 52 years old
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Current Occupation: I have been an accountant for the past
36 years. I have owned my own accounting/tax business for the past
11 years. I help small businesses and individuals with their bookkeeping
and tax return needs. This includes helping people manage a budget
and advising them on cost cutting measures.
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Civic Organizations: I have been actively engaged as an
officer of the PTSA and SAC of Ocoee Middle School, West Orange
High School or Ocoee High School for the past 14 years. Now that
I no longer have a child in one particular school, I can devote
my attention to all the schools in district 7. Ocoee School Advisory
Board, March 2007 - June 2008.
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What are the top three challenges facing Orange County Public
Schools?
- HS and MS flipping times have created a great outcry from the
community. Hundreds of families will be effected, some financially,
some fearful of their middle school child at the bus stop earlier
in the morning hours. Students will loose opportunities in the
arts, sports and clubs. I believe the School Board should reverse
the flip and take more time to closely evaluate the real financial
affect.
- The relationship between the school board, parents and community
is suffering. There's got to be more valid communication and a
work together attitude between all involved parties. It's important
to teach children about a good work ethic and a team work mentality.
- Budget challenge affects most issues. With my 36 year accounting
background, I have the knowledge, experience and work ethic to
truly evaluate the numbers. I believe there are areas the budget
can be streamlined saving tax dollars.
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Are you in favor of/opposed to an elected, countywide school
board chair, and why?
I am opposed to an elected, countywide school board chair in the
manner it is being presented at this time. In a struggling economy
when the budget must be cut, I don't believe adding an additional
school board member with a large salary is the best planning. Also,
I'm not in favor of one individual having 2 votes. I would consider
other options such as increasing the number of districts to eight,
thus giving a county wide elected chair one vote. But, that would
increase the budget by two salaries and at this time I believe we
shouldn't add any administrative salaries especially when we are
cutting teachers.
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What are three things "going right" for Orange County
Public Schools? How will you continue forward progress?
- FCAT scores have improved! The district received and "A",
up from a "B" last year. This proves that teachers,
staff and students are working hard to increase learning. Two
elementary schools rose from an "F", Richmond Heights
Elementary to a "B" and Orange Center Elementary to
an "A".
- Five Orange County school building projects were completed well
under their respective budgets for a total savings of more than
$13.7 million. The money saved will help improve other schools
in our district.
- American history teachers in Orange County Public Schools will
share in a grant worth $999,968 over a three year period. The
Teaching American History grant program set up by the U.S. Department
of Education aims to better educate middle school American history
teachers so they can have a greater influence on their students.
Grants are an important source for money to help improve the learning
process.
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Campaign Contact Information:
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www.Laurakellerforthekids.com
407-578-5191
407-948-3408 cell phone
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