Michelle Dischiavo Candidate Questionnaire Response
Why do you want to serve on the Board of Education in North Colonie?
It has always been an aspiration of mine to serve the high school and community that I grew up in and prepared me for my future. I believe in giving back to the community and civic duty. I have been on the Forts Ferry PTA as president, vice president and member since my children started school there 6 years ago. I was a Special Education teacher for 10 years in public schools and feel very strongly about supporting public education. I have always felt that the school/community relationship is integral to building successful schools and students. As a member of the school board I hope to foster and encourage more community involvement with the board and the decision-making processes.
What would make you a good candidate for the Board of Education?
I believe that as a former teacher, a volunteer on the PTA, a graduate of Shaker High School, a business owner and a parent, I can bring a unique perspective to the Board. I have always felt very strongly about the public education system and supporting it in every way. I have been involved with education ever since I can remember either as a student, a substitute teacher, a student teacher, a tenured teacher, a teacher union representative, a PTA volunteer, a Girl Scout troop leader and most importantly as a parent. I have a vested interest in the success of the teachers, administrators and students of the district and will do my best to encourage excellence from them all.
What do you believe is the proper role of public schools?
I believe that the public schools have a responsibility for not just educating our children but to help make them into well-rounded individuals. In order to do this, we have to provide services not just in education, but also in social and emotional wellness. Students cannot be successful unless they feel safe, secure, respected and cared for. Our job as a public school is to provide children with the opportunities they need to become the very best people they can. They must learn to tap into their strengths and weaknesses and learn from those. Our teachers help students do that every day by holding them accountable and having high expectations.
How do you feel about the current state of education in the North Colonie School District?
I feel that the North Colonie School District is extremely successful and that they are providing excellent educational opportunities for our children. The teachers of the district are truly dedicated and I see them working before and after school in order to be the best at their jobs. Our expectations for our teachers, administrators and students are very high, but we are living up to those expectations and it shows.
Do you feel there are trade-offs that are made when we focus on the physical security of our schools? What do you think is the proper balance?
I do not feel that there are trade offs because the physical security of our schools is directly related to the success of our students and teachers. In order for our students, teachers and administrators to focus on their jobs, they must first feel safe in their schools. I think that we are still exploring what the proper balance is but we are evolving and learning from what others are doing.
Is North Colonie currently finding that balance?
I think that we are looking at what other districts are doing and we are listening to their successes and their obstacles. We are then taking that information and making the best decisions for our school district based on our needs and our individual schools.
What do you think is the proper role of technology in the classroom? What do you think about the current use of technology in North Colonie schools?
I think that we need to be using technology in ways in which they are used in the workplace today. Keeping up with technology and offering our students the opportunities to learn and use the latest technological advances will only benefit our students. I think that the classes that are being offered that provide certification in different computer programs are integral to being competitive in education. The use of technology in art is also integral in the success of our art and technology programs. Teaching programs from Sketch Up to Quick Books to CAD provides our students with the ability to be even more competitive not only in the work place but in higher education.
What, if any, capital improvements do you anticipate the district needing in the next three to five years (excluding those already planned and approved by the voters)?
I anticipate that the High School will need some significant improvements not only to accommodate the addition of more students to the district but also to keep up with technology and the demands of the 21st century. We will need improvements to the auditorium in the high school and an expansion of the auditorium. We will need to add more classroom space onto the high school and update that space as well. I also see the benefits and need for turf fields for our sports teams. The weather, as we know is extremely unpredictable and the fields often cannot be used because they are too damaged from the winter and the spring rains. Our athletes cannot practice and work to the best of their abilities if we cannot provide them with the proper and up to date facilities to do so.