Birthdate and place: October 29, 1967; Silver Spring, MD Residence: Silver Spring, MD Family: Wife and daughter Education: Johns Hopkins; Salisbury University, B.S. Elem. Ed. Professional experience: Marion Greenblatt Excellence in Teaching Nominee; Blue Ribbon School 1998 (Brooke Grove E.S.); New Principal Interview Committee (Brooke Grove E.S.); Teacher Interview Committees (Brooke Grove E.S. & White Oak M.S.); Montgomery County Education Association Teacher Representative; Montgomery County Education Association Delegate to MD Convention; Montgomery County Federation of Teachers Trustee Community experience: Fr. Rosensteel K of C Chair Officer (3 years); Fr. Rosensteel K of C Grand Knight (1 year); Fr. Rosensteel K of C Trustee (1 year) Key issues: Teachers - Being able to spend more time with students Stakeholders - All voices having a chance to be heard Student Expectations - Continued improvement for all students Web site: www.rob4boe.com Link to state Board of Elections campaign finance database

Board of Education, At-Large

Rob Seubert

Teachers

The job of a classroom teacher is one of the most challenging there is. One of the keys for a good educational experience for a student is having a great teacher. As many studies show there is a shortage of teachers in not only Montgomery County, but in Maryland as a whole. In fact, many new teachers hired in Montgomery County will be gone within five to seven years. MCPS has to find a way to keep these great instructors once they have gained experience. Pay raises for the teachers is only part of the solution. Their workload has to be put in check. Every year more and more responsibilities fall on the teachers. Time to do their job well is essential. As a board of education member it will be my number one priority to enable teachers to devote more of their workday to planning and teaching and less to the monotonous piles of paperwork and non-essential duties they are now required to perform. This will ensure that the educators of Montgomery County will be able to focus on the most important stake holder of all, the student.

Stakeholders

Every year many difficult decisions need to be made by the Board. These decisions may be made about changing boundaries, administrative changes in local schools, school closings etc. etc. All stake holders should have an opportunity to have their voices heard. Many times the BOE members already have their minds made up on certain issues. Meetings will be held just to make it seem like everyone gets to weigh in. That needs to stop. As a Board member I plan to listen to and weigh everyone’s point of view before I decide on such issues.

Student Expectations

School systems that institute goals with high expectations for all students must provide the support necessary to achieve those expectations. If they do both then they will have high rates of academic success. Currently MCPS seems to have both high expectations and great student academic success. My goal as a Board member will be to provide even more support so there will be more parity between all races and less of a gap.

Q. How would you rate the performance of the current school board: excellent, good, fair or poor? Why?

I would rate their performance as good. They have continued to get more and more funding to be able to incorporate many new initiatives. Each year testing scores seem to improve which means the students are learning.

Q. Superintendent Jerry D. Weast has said he doesn’t expect to extend his contract beyond 2011. What qualities, skills and expectations would you seek in a new superintendent?

I would look for the candidates experience, integrity, honesty, and character.

Q. Do the superintendent and the unions have too much influence over the school board?

The unions have no actual control over the school board. However, they put a lot of energy and resources in helping candidates that are pro-union to get elected. In fact, without their support, most candidates will not win an election. Hopefully all elected members of the school board are looking out for the children first.

Q. Is the county funding for schools too much, about right or too little? If too little, where would you find additional money?

Current funding is adequate.

Q. Do you think the system for renovating schools is adequate, or does it need changing?

I believe the present system for renovating schools is adequate.

Q. How well are the county’s high school consortia working to raise student achievement?

I believe the county high school consortia are doing a great job working to raise student achievement. Last year though we seemed to hit a stumbling block with a double digit drop on SAT test scores.

Q. There is a strong focus on improving the county’s middle school curriculum. How well is the middle school reform working to raise student achievement?

It is working very well. Last year on the MSA test the county recorded strong gains for African American and Hispanic students.

Q. Are too many students being pushed into advanced placement and honors classes without proper preparation?

I believe this is the case. I know for a fact that the superintendent went into middle schools and didn’t like the numbers he saw. Each student needs to be assessed for these programs by their teachers who work with them everyday. There should be no arbitrary number or percentage used to get children into these programs.

I have heard numerous complaints from parents about students who used to love their subjects, but now are unhappy because their classes have become so hard. Some students are ready and should be pushed, but to have a set percentage is not looking out for the children.

Q. The school system’s health curriculum includes discussions of homosexuality and demonstrations of contraception use. Would you change the policy or let it stand?

I would work to change the policy. I have heard from many parents that are unhappy with new curriculum. The current board has heard from many of the parents. Why it has continued to force this issue is beyond me. I am all for the basics when it comes to the health curriculum especially in the areas of disease prevention. However, the parents are the ones that need to decide what is best for their children when it comes to sexual education.

Q. What do you think about the board’s relationship with the community?

I believe for the most part it is good. I think they could do a better job with getting community input and really listening before deciding on issues.

Q. Does the County Council have too much, too little or not enough oversight of the school system?

They have the right amount. Their job should be basically funding the school system. The school board has been elected to take care of the school system. Oversight belongs to the voters of Montgomery County.

Q. What should the school system do to improve performance of struggling students?

More support should be given to the students. This should be done with after school programs.

Q. Do you think the school system is doing enough to meet the needs of special education students?

Special education student’s scores on state wide testing continue to improve. Unfortunately there is still a lot of room for improvement. We have a lot more of work ahead of us.

Q. Are the schools safe for students and teachers? If not, what should be done?

I believe each year the schools become a little less safe. Gangs are starting to thrive in the county. However, many of the higher ups in the county continue to say that we do not have a gang problem.