Six Candidates for Rochester Community Schools Board of Education Open Seat. Finalist Interviews on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 6:30pm
On Monday, April 10, 2023, the resignation of Rochester School Board Trustee, Scott Muska, was announced to the public. The community was ten days with a deadline of Thursday, April 20 at 12pm to get their applications submitted.
Here is a list of the six finalist for the Rochester Community Schools Board of Education Open Seat, including their responses on the RCS Board of Education Application.
JULIE ALSPACH
1. Are you a US Citizen?
Yes
1.1 Are you a registered voter in the Rochester Community School District?
Yes
1.2 Are you a convicted felon?
No
2. Are you aware of any personal or economic interests or business relationships that could restrict your ability to effectively serve in this non-partisan role? This may include participation in other groups, advocacy roles, etc. If yes, please explain.
No
3. An average month for a school board member includes approximately 3-4 scheduled meetings, often in addition to other school or community-related activities. There is also daily email correspondence, required reading, and district updates. How will you fit this into your schedule?
I already attend every board meeting and work session. I also participate in other parent group meetings Serving the students of my hometown and being a board member is my priority so that I will make the time.
4. If appointed to the Board, would you seek re-election when the appointment expires in December 31, 2024? Why or why not?
Yes, I would seek re-election. I ran in the last election. It was an energizing process that better connected me to all groups within our constituency. I participated in democratic, republican, and nonpartisan events. I ran an independent, nonpartisan campaign engaging with both liberal and conservative groups in our community. I enjoyed campaign events because I could hear the community's concerns.
5. Explain why you are interested in serving as a trustee on the Board of Education of the Rochester Community School District.
Student! I am dedicated to serving the students of my hometown and supporting our educational professionals. As a board member, I would lift up the achievements of our students, teachers, and staff but also be honest about where we need to innovate and improve. I was part of the last strategic plan in 2013.
I look forward to being part of the new strategic plan where we can refine our direction. We must have board members willing to work together, not conform, but have a civil dialogue to create a guiding vision that is best for our students.
6. Provide biographical information and relevant qualities and skills you would bring to the position.
My long history in Rochester Hills and professional experience allow me to understand many different stakeholders. As a lifelong resident of Rochester Hills, I have been a student, student teacher, substitute teacher, parent, and mentor in RCS. These experiences allow me to understand many different perspectives. Even though my children have graduated, I still spend hours volunteering with the students in our district every week.
Beyond that, my professional experience includes the roles of teacher, special education teacher, administrator, and district leader. I understand the Board of Education's role differs from my professional experience. However, that experience will help me positively contribute to the board.
7. On a continuum of "detail-oriented doer" to "big picture thinker," where do you tend to be most comfortable operating? Why? How do you see this approach fitting with the role of a board trustee?
As a leader, your attention must always have a dual focus. One is where you are going (big picture), and the other is where you are now (details to get there and how it is going). However, as a board member, my focus would be on vision, policy, and budget on a big-picture level, only pushing into details on the rare occasion when the board identifies a concern. The board sets the vision and tasks the superintendent and his leadership to implement that vision. The board's role is not "doer" or to micromanage the district's day- to-day operations. The board's role is to set the vision and budget for the district, listen to our constituents, and monitor progress.
8. What do you think should be the top priority for the district and how would you as a board member support that priority?
Students. My priority would be to support all students learning and mental health. All students should feel safe and valued in our schools, regardless of race, religion, or identity. The goal of education is to create a happy, healthy, successful adult.
Staff. When we prioritize students learning and opportunity, we must value the professionals delivering instruction and creating opportunities. Principals, teachers, counselors, special education staff, paras, and support staff must be supported so they can, in turn, support students.
Community. The last three years have been full of upheaves across our society. On a local level, we have had issues that brought stress to the relationship between the district and the community. We need to strengthen our relationship with the community by promoting inclusion and trust. We do that through communication, setting expectations, and delivering on those expectations.
I would support these priorities by celebrating achievements, making decisions that support them, and holding ourselves accountable.
JAYSON BLAKE
1. Are you a US Citizen?
Yes
1.1 Are you a registered voter in the Rochester Community School District?
Yes
1.2 Are you a convicted felon?
No
2. Are you aware of any personal or economic interests or business relationships that could restrict your ability to effectively serve in this non-partisan role? This may include participation in other groups, advocacy roles, etc. If yes, please explain.
No
I have no conflicts which would restrict my ability to serve. I also do not know any members of the Board or administration, and have no preconceived biases for or against any person or faction in the district. I believe this would make me an effective Board member, as I have no ax to grind and am open to good ideas from anyone.
3. An average month for a school board member includes approximately 3-4 scheduled meetings, often in addition to other school or community-related activities. There is also daily email correspondence, required reading, and district updates. How will you fit this into your schedule?
As a single parent raising a young child, I must be efficient with every moment of my day. This has forced me to be very well-organized and plan my life carefully. I am transitioning to a new professional role on May 1 that will allow me to work entirely from home, and have more flexibility. Thus I do not expect to have any difficulty meeting the demands of the Board position. I also commit to being present and engaged at meetings and work sessions.
4. If appointed to the Board, would you seek re-election when the appointment expires in December 31, 2024? Why or why not?
If I feel I am being effective and adding value, I would likely seek re-election in 2024. If I am selected for this interim position, I would commit to listening to all stakeholders, learning more about the District and its strengths and challenges, and evaluating its needs and direction. This would take time, and thus I would expect to seek reelection to continue work that will have a longer time horizon.
5. Explain why you are interested in serving as a trustee on the Board of Education of the Rochester Community School District.
I am a parent of a young child in the district, and have been following the Board meetings and issues closely for the past several years. At this point, I believe the Board could
strongly benefit from having a member with legal training. Issues have come up with increasing frequency that require the Board to exercise legal judgment or analysis, and I am well-suited to assist with that. I am also skilled at drafting, and can help the Board with its written communications and drafting of appropriate policies and resolutions. I am comfortable with budgeting and complex issues, and have managed employees in high- stress environments.
I am also aware of the divisions that exist on the Board and in the community, and believe that I could help find common ground in many areas, while still maintaining my core
principles.
I am applying for this position because I believe my skillset is a good match for the needs of the Board at this time, and I care very much about the District and the students who
attend.
6. Provide biographical information and relevant qualities and skills you would bring to the position.
I have been an attorney for over two decades, working on complex litigation matters around the country. I have represented residents affected by the Flint water crisis, homeowners flooded by the dam collapse in Midland, and shareholders in the AIG securities litigation, the largest class action settlement in the country resulting from the 2008 financial crisis. I have managed teams of attorneys working on these and other matters. I have achieved excellent results in challenging cases.
I am also a lifelong Michigan resident, growing up in Oakland County and graduating from Pontiac Northern High School. My mother was a school bus driver in the District, but we could not afford to live here or attend such highly ranked schools. I was nonetheless admitted to the University of Michigan, where I obtained my undergraduate and law degrees.
I now have a young child of my own, and I am determined to provide the best educational opportunity I can. We moved to the District specifically for the schools, and my child attends one of our elementaries. I have a vested interest in making RCS a top District in the state and will do anything I can to help.
7. On a continuum of "detail-oriented doer" to "big picture thinker," where do you tend to be most comfortable operating? Why? How do you see this approach fitting with the role of a board trustee?
One of my strengths is being able to see the big picture, and then break it down to smaller component parts. As the Board is an oversight body, our focus should be more on the big picture. The District employs many well- qualified professionals to execute the vision of the Board, but the vision itself must be created by the Board, as representatives of the community. I look forward to working with Board colleagues, administration, and the community to update and refine the policy and strategic vision of the District, and ensure its effective implementation.
8. What do you think should be the top priority for the district and how would you as a board member support that priority?
The first priority of the District is to provide a world-class education to its students. On this front, the District is rightfully proud of its record. However, we live in a fast-changing world, and what was top-notch last year will be uncompetitive in a few short years. Thus we need to constantly be moving forward,
refining and adding programs and experiences for our students. Whether it be offering an IB degree, expanding our vocational training, adjusting our scheduling to offer more opportunities, or simply reducing our class sizes, RCS should always be looking ahead to its next successes, and addressing any lingering areas of need that exist. There is simply no time to rest on our laurels.
I understand that in order to learn, a child must feel safe, seen and valued. Thus the District should continue to prioritize initiatives that foster inclusion for all children and families. I believe this can be done without impacting the academic rigor we must maintain in the District.
None of this is possible if the Board does not work together, and I will do my part to find common ground among a Board with differing viewpoints.
TAARA DONLEY
1. Are you a US Citizen?
Yes
1.1 Are you a registered voter in the Rochester Community School District?
Yes
1.2 Are you a convicted felon?
No
2. Are you aware of any personal or economic interests or business relationships that could restrict your ability to effectively serve in this non-partisan role? This may include participation in other groups, advocacy roles, etc. If yes, please explain.
No
3. An average month for a school board member includes approximately 3-4 scheduled meetings, often in addition to other school or community-related activities. There is also daily email correspondence, required reading, and district updates. How will you fit this into your schedule?
I have a proven track record of project management, so I could handle all of the responsibilities required as a trustee. Professionally, I have over 12 years of experience in overseeing multi-million dollar
projects in engineering, manufacturing, and marketing for an automotive OEM. Personally, I've juggled staying at home with small children, taking care of aging parents with degenerative conditions, and going back to school for my MBA. I would carve out 30- 40 hours a week to devote entirely to RCS board issues.
4. If appointed to the Board, would you seek re-election when the appointment expires in December 31, 2024? Why or why not?
We need more board members who are willing to listen to opposing points of view with an open mind and an open heart, so I would seek re-election in 2024 and try to help mend the relationship between community members and RCS.
5. Explain why you are interested in serving as a trustee on the Board of Education of the Rochester Community School District.
I want to serve as a trustee for several reasons. First, I want to help dismantle the culture of fear that prevents some staff and community members from raising awareness about existing issues. Second, I want to bridge the current divide on the board by finding common ground and facilitating constructive working relationships. Third, I want to provide more budget oversight and make sure that our hardworking teachers and staff are getting the funds they need to operate their classrooms. Finally, I would like to redirect the board's focus to issues in our district that need attention, such as school safety, special education staff shortages, bus tardiness, superintendent oversight, spending priorities, and building maintenance management.
6. Provide biographical information and relevant qualities and skills you would bring to the position.
My educational background includes a B.S.E. in chemical engineering from the University of Michigan, an M.S.E. in mechanical
engineering from Oakland University, and an MBA from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, where I focused on strategy and graduated with distinction. I worked for an automotive OEM for over 12 years, where I had jobs with increasing responsibilities and complexity in
engineering, manufacturing, and marketing. I'm good at building cross functional teams, complex project management, and developing strategic plans. These are three skills that I feel are needed as a board member.
I am also the daughter of Indian immigrants who was one of six Indian kids in a graduating class of over 500 students. I was often the only female engineer in a meeting filled with men. I understand what it feels like to be the minority voice in a room and would like the opportunity to represent community members who feel unheard. Representation and inclusion matter, and I would support efforts to make all students feel welcome and included.
7. On a continuum of "detail-oriented doer" to "big picture thinker," where do you tend to be most comfortable operating? Why? How do you see this approach fitting with the role of a board trustee?
I'm comfortable in both roles due to my education and work experience. As an automotive engineer, I was a "detail-oriented doer" who developed material and process standards, conducted laboratory tests and durability surveys, analyzed large quantities of data, and presented the results to senior management. As a product marketing manager, I was a "big picture thinker" who worked on cross functional teams to develop and implement strategic plans for my vehicle platform. Since board trustees are responsible for budget oversight and strategic plan development, both roles are necessary to fulfill board duties.
8. What do you think should be the top priority for the district and how would you as a board member support that priority?
I believe that until we bridge the divide in our community, we will remain at an impasse and make no progress for our students. Half of the problems in our district could be solved if
RCS administrators would actively listen and address parent concerns promptly, instead of allowing them to simmer for weeks or months and then explode on social media. The recent addition of long standing issues like the 2015 bond, Caring Steps, and literacy in work sessions is a good first step in that direction. I think we should also add the Durham bus contract and special education employee shortages to the list of work session topics.
As a board member, I would actively seek out vocal community members with opposing points of view and try to understand their perspective, even if I don't agree with them. I would find common goals that we could work on together and over time, with consistent repeated interactions, I feel confident we could build a constructive working relationship and maintain civility even in moments of disagreement. This is not a problem that can be solved overnight, but I have the patience and persistence to try.
CHANDER MALHOTRA
1. Are you a US Citizen?
Yes
1.1 Are you a registered voter in the Rochester Community School District?
Yes
1.2 Are you a convicted felon?
No
2. Are you aware of any personal or economic interests or business relationships that could restrict your ability to effectively serve in this non-partisan role? This may include participation in other groups, advocacy roles, etc. If yes, please explain.
No
3. An average month for a school board member includes approximately 3-4 scheduled meetings, often in addition to other school or community-related activities. There is also daily email correspondence, required reading, and district updates. How will you fit this into your schedule?
I am a retired executive. I do not have any fixed time commitments. Currently, I am volunteering as a Medicare/Medicaid Counselor and as a Caregiver Coach. Medicare/Medicaid Counseling requires two
half-days of counseling a month and the days can be flexible. Caregiver Coach requires 2 hours of phone counseling a month, and the time is flexible.
So, I have enough time for all the activities of a board member. I like to read and learn new things. I am also good at time management. I have a passion for education, and want to give back to society. I would commit all the time that is required for this position. RCS Board tasks will be my top priority.
4. If appointed to the Board, would you seek re-election when the appointment expires in December 31, 2024? Why or why not?
If I am appointed to the board, I would seek re-election. The reasons for seeking re- election are the same as for applying for this open position. I want to serve the community; I want to give back to my country that has given me so many opportunities in life. Children are the future of our country. They are our future leaders. They are the ones who will have to compete in a global economy. They need the best tools and the best environment to grow. I want to contribute to this effort. I am willing to spend the time and energy this position requires to make a positive impact. I have made a living for 40 years; now, I am making a life by giving.
5. Explain why you are interested in serving as a trustee on the Board of Education of the Rochester Community School District.
Childhood and teenage years are very important times in the life of a person. These are formative years. Who I am today, is a result of my experience during my school years. I would like to use my teaching, consulting and management experience to make positive contributions to the functioning of the Rochester Community Schools, as an RCS Board member.
I am not looking for power, position or money. I just want to offer my skills to help the students, our most valuable assets.
6. Provide biographical information and relevant qualities and skills you would bring to the position.
I came to USA as a student from India more than 50 years ago. The US education system was very different for me. I struggled during the first quarter, but then I adapted to the American system of education. I have degrees from 3 different Universities in 3 different disciplines. I have taught at 2 different Universities, to undergraduate students and to executives.
My corporate experience is in Management Consulting, Project Management, Process Improvement, Teaching, and Decision Making. I can bring that experience to the RCS Board and work as a team for the good of the students. My strengths are communication, team work, decision-making, self-motivation, and a dedication to work. I want to help the future leaders of our country. I sincerely hope that I get this chance as an RCS board member.
I live in Rochester Hills with my wife of 53 years. I have two sons, one lives in Troy and the other lives in Boston. I have 6 lovely grandchildren (4 grand-daughters and 2 grand-sons). I love to play golf.
7. On a continuum of "detail-oriented doer" to "big picture thinker," where do you tend to be most comfortable operating? Why? How do you see this approach fitting with the role of a board trustee?
I have operated at both levels. A problem is defined at a high level (big picture). After we have defined the high-level problem, we need to gather data (details) to see how big the
problem is. That is called measurement of the problem. Then we need to analyze (detail) the data we have gathered to see why the problem is occurring. Once we know why the problem is occurring, we can develop different ways to make improvements (big picture + details) and then choose the best alternative to make improvements and then implement the new processes.
Most managers and experts stop there and celebrate their success. That results in short- lived success because the improvements are not sustained. The problem remains unsolved. That is because they fail to train the stakeholders on new processes and they fail to monitor the new processes. That means, we have to do both high level and detailed work; and we have to know when the project is complete. I have operated at both levels depending on my expertise of the subject.
So, I believe that I can be an effective board member because of my extensive business experience.
8. What do you think should be the top priority for the district and how would you as a board member support that priority?
I believe that the top priority of the district should be to provide a world-class, high quality educational curriculum and environment for the students.
It should include an environment that provides the students: (1) Innovative thinking, (2) Competitive Reading, Math and Technology expertise, (3) Ability to compete in a global market, (4) Leadership skills, and (5) Safe and supportive environment for all students.
To achieve that goal, we should (1) provide all the necessary tools and training to the staff and the teachers to enable them to help the students be their best, and (2) encourage parents and guardians to be partners in the development of the students.
I strongly believe in developing a generation of top-class students who will be the leaders our country. I am willing to do whatever it takes to achieve this goal and any other goal that the school district may set in the future.
PAUL WRIGHT
1. Are you a US Citizen?
Yes
1.1 Are you a registered voter in the Rochester Community School District?
Yes
1.2 Are you a convicted felon?
No
2. Are you aware of any personal or economic interests or business relationships that could restrict your ability to effectively serve in this non-partisan role? This may include participation in other groups, advocacy roles, etc. If yes, please explain.
No
3. An average month for a school board member includes approximately 3-4 scheduled meetings, often in addition to other school or community-related activities. There is also daily email correspondence, required reading, and district updates. How will you fit this into your schedule?
My current role involves predominantly working from home, so while my current job is certainly busy it does allow for flexibility. If the board meetings are on a defined schedule I should be able to accommodate them without
issue. In my current role I'm very active with email and other electronic forms of communication so fulfilling the duties as described above would become part of my natural daily routine.
4. If appointed to the Board, would you seek re-election when the appointment expires in December 31, 2024? Why or why not?
My intention would be to continue in the role beyond the end of 2024, I believe that my ability to effectively contribute to discussions would be improved by greater understanding of the issues that can only be gained through experience. I also believe that for a group of people to effectively work as a team that trust is an important factor, and trust is something that builds over time through active discussions. Serving in the position for multiple terms would allow me, or whomever the selected candidate would be to provide important stability to the district allowing focus on the most important issues.
5. Explain why you are interested in serving as a trustee on the Board of Education of the Rochester Community School District.
I've had the pleasure of being part of the Rochester Community School District for the past nine years with my two children attending multiple schools from elementary through high school. The needs of my children have, and continue to be very different from each other, with one of my children currently participating in AP and honors courses as a junior at Stoney Creek High School as he prepares to hopefully go to college, this is in contrast with my eldest son is in his final year of the ASD Basic program at Adams, though we intend for him to continue with education through the Adult Transition Program. I believe that this allows me to provide a unique perspective on students needs, but more importantly through serving as a trustee I would have the opportunity to give back to the community through the use of my skills.
6. Provide biographical information and relevant qualities and skills you would bring to the position.
In my current role I serve as the leader of our
companies information technology group so I
believe I can provide both technical expertise
in that area as well as having strong skills in
project management, cost management and
budget attainment.
In my role implementing software both in
offices and on the factory floor I've had to
communicate across multiple demographics in
multiple countries gathering requirements, responding to frustrations commonly
associated with change, and finding
resolutions where conflict existed between
different stakeholders.
As part of the companies leadership team I am
comfortable providing direct constructive
feedback to both my peer group and superiors
in an open meeting format. I participate in
quarterly board meetings for our company so
am familiar with structured meetings and the
associated required preparation.
I have also served on customer advisory
boards for multiple software companies for
multiple years, it is often my job to build
consensus around the community regarding
the most effective use of resources, and then to
provide transparency back to the community
on why certain decisions were made, even when they were not popular.
It would be my intention to utilize these skills when appropriate at RCS.
7. On a continuum of "detail-oriented doer" to "big picture thinker," where do you tend to be most comfortable operating? Why? How do you see this approach fitting with the role of a board trustee?
I see myself as being very adaptive to fill the right role at the right time across this spectrum. In my current role I have
responsibility for setting a technology
roadmap that can be implemented over
multiple years, however I'm also responsible
for all our technology vendor contracts, so will
regularly be reviewing scope of work
documents along with various contract clauses
to ensure we receive products and services that
match our expectations. I'm not sure exactly
what the board needs me to do as a trustee at
this time, but I am comfortable fulfilling different roles as and when needed.
8. What do you think should be the top priority for the district and how would you as a board member support that priority?
I think the top priority for the district should always be to provide the best environment for learning to students, educators and the support staff.
I think it is the job of a trustee to use their own personal experience and skills to enhance the collective knowledge of the school board to understand the differing perspectives and needs for families across the community.
I have been around the education system all my life with my mother working as the financial manager for the high school I attended, my wife working as a high school teacher prior to our starting a family, and my
sister and her husband both currently working as high school teachers. I would hope to be a good listener and a strong advocate for everyone effected by my decisions.
In my experience effective boards provide constructive feedback based on the
information they are provided from various stakeholders, they take the time to study that information carefully to
provide feedback. The job of a board is to provide oversight and governance to the organization it works with, and to be
accountable to it's stakeholders. I'd hope to be an effective communicator with all interested parties.
ZHE XIE
1. Are you a US Citizen?
Yes
1.1 Are you a registered voter in the Rochester Community School District?
Yes
1.2 Are you a convicted felon?
No
2. Are you aware of any personal or economic interests or business relationships that could restrict your ability to effectively serve in this non-partisan role? This may include participation in other groups, advocacy roles, etc. If yes, please explain.
No
3. An average month for a school board member includes approximately 3-4 scheduled meetings, often in addition to other school or community-related activities. There is also daily email correspondence, required reading, and district updates. How will you fit this into your schedule?
I will arrange my family schedule so that I can attend all regular BOE meetings in the evenings. And I will be flexible enough to
attend other activities as much as possible. In the meantime, I will process daily communication along with my regular job, which is a hybrid between in office and WFH.
4. If appointed to the Board, would you seek re-election when the appointment expires in December 31, 2024? Why or why not?
Depends on if I can drive positive changes.
5. Explain why you are interested in serving as a trustee on the Board of Education of the Rochester Community School District.
I want to help students in RCS to reach their full potential and address concerns from parents on transportation, student to teacher ratio, post-Covid learning lag, and advanced learning track.
I also want to explore ways to maximize spending on students and teachers, boost teachers' morale.
6. Provide biographical information and relevant qualities and skills you would bring to the position.
Experience:
I have been working in the automotive OEMs (big 3) in the past 18 years. I am currently an Intrapreneur and Senior Tech Fellow at Stellantis. Before that, I was a product development team leader at GM.
Education:
M.S. from University of Michigan
Ph.D. from Oakland University
M.S. and B.S. from Shanghai Jiaotong University
Volunteer experience:
Cub Scout den leader
Coding club coach
FLL team coach FTC team coach
Relevant Skills:
Customer centric lean startup experience
Innovative thinker
Cross-function team leader
7. On a continuum of "detail-oriented doer" to "big picture thinker," where do you tend to be most comfortable operating? Why? How do you see this approach fitting with the role of a board trustee?
Big picture thinker.
I like to outline objectives, list steps, assign deliverables to individuals, and define metrics for results.
As a board trustee, I will review the objectives, list priorities, and ensure accountabilities.
8. What do you think should be the top priority for the district and how would you as a board member support that priority?
School should go back to the basics of learning. Top priority should be placed on fostering an learning environment both at school and at home, so that students at different learning levels are all stretched to reach their full potentials.
MEETINGS BROADCASTS/RECORDINGS
Regular meetings, special meetings, and work sessions are broadcast on Comcast channel 19, WOW channel 15, and RCS Cable TV Simulcast. Recordings are also posted online, generally within 48 hours... CLICK HERE.
Rochester Community Schools Mission
To provide a quality education in a caring atmosphere for students to attain the necessary skills and knowledge to become lifelong learners and contribute to a diverse, interdependent and changing world.
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April 30, 2023, Rochester Community Schools, Rochester.Life