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Name: Patricia (Pat) Matthews
Age: 69
Lives in Stow: 43 Years
Family: Three children and one grandchild at the Stow-Munroe Falls High School
Education: B.A. history from Cleveland State University, post-graduate education K-9 from the University of Akron.
Political Affiliation: Democrat, according to the Summit County Board of Elections.
(Board members serve the district on a non-partisan basis)
Position Sought: School Boardmember in the Nov. 8, 2011 election
Other Elected Positions: Current School Board President.
What is the biggest problem facing the district?
- "During my four years on school board, the financial instability has been the biggest problem. We have had failed levies and decreasing money coming from the state. Long-term planning which is also important to any institution has been very difficult."
Are you in favor of the school levy?
- "I am in favor of the school levy. We have had no new money since 2002 and are unable to continue our 'Excellent' system without additional funds. We have cut $7 million over the last five years and that will have an affect not only on the students but also our home value in Stow. Families want the best education for their children and will move into communities which provide it."
What are your goals if elected?
- "Communication, communication, communication, communication. This is so important. Continued effort to keep communication open between the community, teachers, support staff, administration and the school board. another goal is that our school system provides the best in technology tools. We have to not only keep up but to go beyond when thinking how best we can meet the needs of our students in the 21st century."
What qualifies you to be on the board?
- "I believe I can still make a difference. There is a need for a person with an educational background to be on board, whether it is me or someone else. At this point, we have five people on the board with a variety of previous experience — this has been good. I have the experience of being on the board four years, 21 years in education and I'm a parent of three and grandmother of seven. I have been on three levy campaigns and on the negotiation committee. I have learned so much and would like the opportunity to continue serving our future citizens."
.Where do you stand on the International Baccalaureate Program?
- "I wish I was 20 years younger and a teacher in the school district. I love all aspects of IB, but most of all, the development of an inquiring approach to learning in our students. All students follow the Ohio required curriculum and IB is just the framework. I do understand the fear among others about the financial cost of this program and that not all elementary schools are involved at this point. My hope is that as our teachers are being trained that they will be as enthusiastic as I am and share all the 'best practices' with each other. There is the possibility that the IB program at Kent State University will be instituted for all new teachers. If this occurs, the financial cost will be much less for future teacher training in our school system. The funds from Title 1 and ESC are now being used for professional development."
Editor's note: The last sentence in the above response previously said "not" instead of "now." The error has been fixed. The correct wording is, "The funds from Title 1 and ESC are now being used for professional development." The staff regrets the error.
Chris Brinzki
5:01 pm on Friday, October 14, 2011
Thank you for your time and service to our community. Your responses are quite telling....if IB is only a "framework" and our teachers are rated excellent, why make the purchase? I'm sure the teachers would be willing to collaborate and involve the children in "global awareness". When money allows, a foreign language teacher can be retained for each of the buildings. You find IB acceptable for only a small handful of students?
Michael Rhea
10:18 am on Saturday, October 15, 2011
Chris, many programs are "piloted" before being used on a wider scale. This assures the program is effective. From what I read about the program, and emailed a friend in another state whose district has used it for years, he stated it's more about critical thinking than "global awareness."
Mrs. Matthews, was IB found to be effective?
Pat Matthews
1:19 pm on Saturday, October 15, 2011
Michael thank you for sharing your thoughts on IB You are correct in stating it is more about inquiry thinking. I was sold on the program when I visited a school in southern Ohio and viewed the students so involved in learning. Math was never my big thing but when I viewed a group working together on how many ways can you have numbers equal 36, I thought wow wish I would have been taught that way. As a retired teacher, I was concerned about the slower students and asked the teacher how these students achieved. She pointed out a student who was the lowest in the area and I was very surprised because he was interacting in a positive way with his group. We are still in the infant stage at Indian Trail but after one year there has been positive outcomes. Hard to judge effective within one year. Any program that can help the high achiever achieve and the slower learner be involved is effective. IB philosophy promotes inquiry minds and yes it also encourages the development of caring young people who will help create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. Hope that answers why I support the IB program.
Emily miller
8:17 am on Sunday, October 16, 2011
Ms. Matthews, thank you for your service to our schools! Not sure how long it has been since you have been in the classroom but our teachers promote inquiry minds and we also encourage the development of caring young people who will help create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. We have some exceptional teachers that are able to engage the "slower" students and continue to educate and involve all students in promoting critical thinkers. We may not use the terms that you have purchased with IB but I assure you we are well qualified and will continue our Excellence in Education. IB will not change the way we teach but it has changed our schools and community. IB promotes open mindedness, but only if you support IB.
Michael Rhea
9:40 am on Sunday, October 16, 2011
Mrs. Matthews, I appreciate that you are willing to share your ideas. There has been so much anger over this issue that it has been hard to really discuss it reasonably.
Yes, Stow teachers promote critical thinking, and, yes, they promote respect. It is my understanding that this program "bumps it up" a notch, in my friend's words. I am happy that Stow is not just sitting back waiting for the world to pass it by. Maintaining the "status quo" in education is what many in the public scream about when they hear other countries are passing us in test scores, and then scream again when change is considered. I do not envy you your position on the board trying to satisfy the many, many groups who come before you.
I'm looking forward to hearing you speak at candidates' night!
Michael Rhea
11:53 am on Sunday, October 16, 2011
Jeanne- yes, I do. The only thing dominating conversations are cuts. So, what are we doing to get better?
Emily miller
1:53 pm on Sunday, October 16, 2011
Our teachers could "bump it up" a notch without the excessive costs to the district and taxpayer. If you look at other countries, you will notice that IB is not the reason they continually excel in math and science. Other countries do not rely so heavily on state funds and if you look at the hours you will notice longer school days and a longer school year. Look even closer and you find that other countries do not spend time trying to find ways to promote peace with the US. All of this aside, why is it that IB is the only program we can purchase to make us more competitive in the world? Again, many programs or just continued progressional development can accomplish the same goal without the cost and controversial issues attached. IB is not the answer, this Programme is unnecessary. IB is the new, expensive designer label that everyone wants right now.....more and more district are "dropping" the label because they can not sustain the costs. For those that have been in the district for some time, remember Character Counts, Working of the Works, and the countless other programs that we had to have to be competitive.......see any difference? I applaud our administration for wanting to prepare our children for the 21st century, but let's focus on programs that have proven to increase test scores and not so much on a designer label. Let's focus on bringing the trust back in our schools and with our parents. To me, that seems to be more important that IB at this time.
Roger Ormsby
10:57 pm on Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Spot on, Emily! When I feel once again that I can trust the school administration to conduct the school's business outside of the shadows (see www.stowidiocracy.com), I will vote for the levies freely.
Christina Wilson
11:24 pm on Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Emily well said!!
Michael Rhea
3:44 pm on Sunday, October 16, 2011
Emily- For the record, I never said IB was the only way to achieve that goal. To my knowledge, Character Counts and Working on the Work are still be used as they have been absorbed into routines at the very least.
What I am interested in is if we, as a community, are interested in striving to be better. What I'm not interested in is yet another fight over IB. I wanted to know if something that was chosen to be used was shown to be effective.
We have excellent teachers in Stow. I would be willing to bet they would be the first to tell you that there is always more to learn and do. That's why teachers have continuing education requirements.
Jeanne- I was not at the meeting and I live in Stow.
Michael Rhea
7:07 pm on Sunday, October 16, 2011
Lisa- I have spent a lot of time reading and talking with teachers about STEM schools, vocational compacts, and scholarship information for future use. This is not the venue for a long discussion of that nature.
Jeanne- You have the right to your opinion, and I thank you for the suggested reading, but as a "citizen" myself I believe the controversy to be blown far out of proportion. Again, I do not wish to debate it as all avenues have been covered.
Mrs. Matthews, I apologize for leading this conversation away from your candidacy. I can tell you that I have had long discussions with friends and neighbors and we appreciate how you were willing to answer my question. I know of many votes you will be receiving in the coming election. Thank you for your dedication!
Pat Matthews
10:27 am on Monday, October 17, 2011
Thanks Michael...
Ward Benson
2:36 pm on Monday, October 17, 2011
We don't have money for the current busing if the levy doesn't pass, yet we can afford this IB programming indoctrination/training and the 'future expenses'? This smells bad.
Amanda Harnocz
3:42 pm on Monday, October 17, 2011
Comments from an account that has been suspended were deleted.
Mike Siegel
6:52 am on Tuesday, October 18, 2011
All avenues of IB have not been discussed but it is typical for the current board and it's spouses to believe so. I thank Ms. Matthews for her service butni believe she has lost focus. Our district is in financial distress....SOS is everywhere....if this is truly the case....we can not afford IB unless we receive new money..........
Ed Kent
8:01 am on Tuesday, October 18, 2011
The board was wise to not list IB as one of the items that would get cut if the new property tax levy fails again, as they know it might encourage more voters to come out to vote against the levy. They must try their best to distance the IB issue from any ability of the voters to decide it's fate in Stow and Munroe Falls. By not listing among the items directly impacting parents as part of what will be cut, it gives them a better chance to keep IB with it's future expansion and to encourage parents to agree to higher rent or retroactivated property taxes with the increase showing up on bills in a little over 3 months from today. IB is a sore spot with many levy supporters especially when they've been told there's a crisis.
Additionally, parents who do have children wanting to play sports, have figured out it's less expensive for them to pay the additional fee next year than to pay the additional 11% property tax increase or 11% increase in monthly rental fees. And, many would rather take on that responsibility for their child's wants than to place more burden on the backs of many homeowners who have truly been struck with financial crisis with actual income loss due to this economy.
Christina Wilson
10:16 pm on Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Mrs. Mathews, were you on the School Board, when this happened?
http://www.stowsentry.com/news/article/5111409?utm_source=daily_headlines&utm_medium=breaking&utm_campaign=breaking
Roger Ormsby
11:01 pm on Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Ms. Wilson: I firmly believe in the ability of our teachers to perform their professional duties far superior to any purchased program (otherwise known as another education fad). To answer your question (since it has been three days since the question has been asked), yes, Mrs. Mathews was a member of the Board at the time.
Christina Wilson
11:23 pm on Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Roger, I could not agree with you more, our teachers are doing a great job!! We have great programs in place, and I agree why put in a very expensive program, that 1) is dividing peopleand 2) will the district be able to keep this program in place for years to come, without asking for more money. Just does not make sense to me. And thank you for your answer, I thought Mrs. Mathews was on the board in 2009.
bill downer
9:51 pm on Wednesday, October 19, 2011
DONNY,excellent link .this is why we need to get rid of this incumbent board members
Amanda Harnocz
9:59 pm on Wednesday, October 19, 2011
A comment has been deleted for spamming. The comment from Donny VanOss will remain here only: http://patch.com/A-mw19
Linus harding
6:04 pm on Monday, October 24, 2011
BOE candidates-- The SOS pages make a pretty clear case for the district needing new money. So - a multipart question
1> what is your interpretation of the stated information?
2> do you agree/disagree
3> If you agree -- are the planned cuts reasonable?
4> If you disagree what do you see as possible solutions
Linus harding
6:13 pm on Monday, October 24, 2011
BOE Candidate Question
What are your thought on State Issue 2? If it passes explain your i nterpretation of its inpact on the district.
Vince Mancinellie
6:29 am on Thursday, October 27, 2011
Not sure why the teachers union is endorsing Ms. Matthews other than they feel "obligated". If I remember correctly they didn't endorse Ms. Powers last time around so why would they now and they dropped Mr. Mariola this time. Mr. Toppin and Mr. Bonacci were the only two challengers that showed up for the question and answer session. To my knowledge this was not an open "public" forum however Mr. Wright may have been present for this since he seems to ve so vocal this election season.
Chris Butts
10:09 am on Thursday, October 27, 2011
Why is it the teacher's union endorsing a candidate a bad thing? When did our teachers become villains? To me as a BOE candidate, I would be thankful for their endorsement.
Pat Matthews
12:40 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
Thank you Mike and Chris. I was honored to be selected ...especially since I was a member of the negotiating team and encouraged the teachers and classified to take a true zero wage increase and in addition pay more for their health care. Yes, I truly respect all of our employees and thank them for all they have done for our students.
Ed Kent
12:58 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
Mrs. Matthews did the right thing by encouraging the unions to at the very least take a freeze during this very tough time in which many homeowners lost their homes and others on the brink. I applaud her for that and know she does care about children, no matter which way I vote on issues or board candidates on Nov. 8.
Pat Matthews
3:50 pm on Sunday, October 30, 2011
Thanks Ed
Geni Walker
9:00 pm on Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Mrs Mathews --- If re elected what can you do to rebuild trust in the district? Can you comment on the checks and balances in the district? Also, what authority does the board actually have? Thank you!