Birthplace: Roanoke, Virginia Residence: Hyattsville, MD Family: Divorced -- Two Children: Son, Cullen Waller (graduate of Prince George's County Schools) in grad school at Morgan State University; daughter, Alva Waller, attorney in Minneapolis, MN Education: Attended Columbia Union College, Takoma Park, MD Professional experience: Appointed to Board of Education 2007; Elected 2002 to Democratic Central Committee (1 term) Community experience: Appointed by the Governor to the State Advisory Council on Camp Safety; President, 8th Precinct Civic Association (Chillum) (represents 1200 households) Key issues: Increase Graduation Rates, improve Parent/Community/Business engagement with students and school system, and enhance Career Technical Educational options and opportunities E-mail address: amberwaller@yahoo.com Link to state Board of Elections campaign finance database

Prince George's School Board

Amber Waller

Increased graduation rates, continued improvement in test scores, and greater collaboration with parents, the community and business partners

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

Good. As the first elected Board after a 6 year stint with an appointed Board, the past two years have been productive. The Board has participated in training activities that have focused on policy, reform governance, and oversight. Collaboratively with the Superintendent we have worked to ensure that all academic programs for success are distributed equitably across the entire county.

Q. How would you rate the job performance of Superintendent John E. Deasy, excellent, good, fair or poor? Why?

Since joining the Board in September, 2007, in my opinion the Superintendent's job performance has been good. The Board and the Superintendent have worked to partner to provide academic offerings that are significantly closing the achievement gaps among students in Prince George's County. Students and parents have an opportunity to seek programs that are available to help their students succeed and be career and college ready.

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

I am appreciative of the funding provided the school system from the state and county. Given the Board's mission to close the achievement gap, the Board has received significant grant monies and we will be seeking additional partnerships to provide additional monies.

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

Given the funds we receive, the school system does an adquate job of meeting the needs of our school system - i.e., renovation, repairs, new building construction and additions. Given the economic environment that we are in, the Board will have tough choices to make and certainly fiscal oversight in all areas will become more critical.

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

The Board has a good relationship with the Community. We are taking Board Meetings to the community throughout the County. New initiatives are on-going that involve and welcome community participation. This Board is active in many community activities at schools, community events and active in organizations that impact the future academic success of our students.

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

We have a good working relationship with the County Council.

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

Basically, the schools are safe for our students and teachers. Unfortunately, some students are not as focused on academics, and perhaps because of social or outside influences, a small fraction of our students exhibit unacceptable behavior that attempt to distract from the overall safe environment that exists in our schools. The School Board is again, reaching out to parents, the community and community organizations to provide mentoring programs, and working collaboratively with county agencies to ensure a safe environment in schools. .

Q. The slots referendum on the November ballot says the "primary purpose" of allowing up to 15,000 machines in Maryland is to raise revenue for education. Do you support or oppose the slots referendum?

The State legislature has put in place a means by which all voters in the November 4 election can give input on this most important issue.