OROL: Shirley Ann Thompson 1999

Candidate for ORSD School Board 1999

Shirley Ann Thompson Durham, NH

As a School Board Member I see myself as a leader in the search for better public education. I am committed to providing leadership that will set the course for our schools into the 21st century. Together we can make a difference in the quality of education and in the lives of our children.

Serving the Community

I bring a unique perspective to the School Board, because I attended Durham schools, and both my children did. Now three of my five grandchildren attend Oyster River Schools. My father, Norman Stiles, served the Durham community for over 50 years, and I have followed in his footsteps, caring deeply for this community and its future, and serving in a number of leadership roles.

I look forward to another term as a "DOER". I am in the schools on a daily basis and plan to listen to our kids and our community members and to search for solutions that are as cost effective as possible. Decisions must be made in the interests of the students' educational needs and balanced by the financial means of the community.

Experience

• Oyster River School Board Member for 6 years (the most experienced member of the current Board)

• Oyster River Delegate to the NH School Board Association

• Member of School Board Negotiations Committee

• Attended the NH School Board Academy 1998

• Points of Light Volunteer recognition from Foster's Daily Democrat 1998

• Member of Search Committee for Durham Fire Chief 1998

• Community Member ORHS Student Senate

• Assistant Town Moderator of Durham, 6 years

• Chairperson of Women's Seacoast Soccer Jamboree 1998

• Volunteer at ORMS and ORHS and church thrift shop Instrumental in initiating DARE program at ORMS

• Served on Durham Board of Selectmen, former Chair of Durham Town Council

Issues Facing the School District

We are all aware of the space needs at the high school. The building is too small to handle our present and future educational program and enrollment needs. There is not enough classroom space for our current 680 students, and we are currently using 10 modular classrooms to provide additional space. The current core facilities (cafeteria, gymnasium, and library) are all too small to support a student population that large. The problem will become much worse as the number of students continues to grow through 2001. The aging infrastructure needs updating to meet the needs of a 21st century high school. We need to invest in our community and educate our students to prepare them for life in a changing and challenging world. That means we need to work side by side to make education for all of our children a TOP PRIORITY in the Oyster River Cooperative School District. I ask that we all help to bring peace, consensus, community and fairness to the education of the children in our three towns.

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Last update on 29-Mar-99 at 10:24 PM.

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