Elect Richard Potter for Shoreline School Board Position 5

My name is Richard Potter and I look forward to bridging the gap between our community and the School Board and Administration as we work together to make Shoreline the premier school district in the state.

I want to give you an update on progress since I joined the Shoreline School Board, but first I'd like to personally thank the Shoreline & Lake Forest Park communities for supporting our schools in the recent Levy and Bond elections. In addition to the benefit to our students, the new high schools will be a major asset to our communities for years to come.

My main campaign issues were:

1) Improve communications between the District and the community.

Status: This will be a work in progress until people tell me that they are hearing TOO MUCH from the District. Still, the District has revamped their website, publishes the Shoreline Public Schools Update and Community Connections newsletters monthly, and publishes the Shoreline Flagship twice a year. The Superintendent (and others) have participated in many recent public forums. On a more personal level, I receive a LOT of email from the community and try to reply to as many as possible. (Our "official" Board policy is that the Board President (currently David Wilson) responds to emails on behalf of the Board, though I often also respond, especially when a note is directed to me personally.) I am also available to meet individually or with groups as requested.

2) Improve our financial controls and live within our means.

Status: The District has significantly reduced expenditures to live within its means. Financial systems have been implemented and are continuously improved to improve accuracy and control. I will also note that the District is no longer under the scrutiny of OSPI thanks to the progress that has been made. We also passed our annual state audit with no deficiencies.

3) Recover overpayment of money for the "energy retrofit" contract.

Status: Still in work. It would be inappropriate to say more at this time.

4) Improve our Math curriculum.

Status: We have adopted a new Math Curriculum for the high schools (from Prentice Hall). The Math curriculum for the elementary grades is now being updated, with in-class pilots underway as this is written. The middle school Math curriculum is next in line.

5) Ensure that the technology (laptop) investment is returning value for the dollar.

Status: The District is still working toward increasing the value of the student laptops. There is now an opt-out option for families who do not wish to participate in the 7x24 laptop program. Another technology initiative is the new Data Dashboard that allows students, parents, teachers and principals to actively monitor student progress on a near real-time basis. This enables quick intervention when a student falls behind on homework, grades, etc. so they can receive the assistance they need to get back on track.

Other notable District progress:

Major renovations to many of our school facilities and fields, including the replacement of the old "portables" with modern and efficient modular buildings.

Adoption of the Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) approach to student intervention to improve student learning. Rather than trying to explain the concept, here is a link to an excellent book on the subject:

Whatever It Takes

If you have suggestions, concerns or comments, please don't hesitate to contact me. I also strongly encourage you to attend our School Board meetings to address the entire Board in person.

Thank you for your support! Together we can make a difference!

You can contact me, Richard Potter, at:

18400 15th PL NE, Shoreline, WA 98155
(206) 367-5477 email: Vote4Potter@gmail.com

Paid for by Citizens to Elect Richard Potter. Thanks for taking the time to learn more - your support is crucial to our children!