Candidate Q&A

Ocean Springs Public School District

School Board Election 2021

Our public education questionnaire was offered to school board candidates in the November 2 school board elections. Search for candidates’ questionnaire responses below.

Wendy Green

NO RESPONSE

Karen Y. Mullen

1. What is your experience with the school district? (Did you or your children attend school in the district? Have you volunteered in or been employed by the district?) Both of my daughters attended and graduated with honors from Ocean Springs School District. Involved with the band boosters club.
 
2. What is your previous community involvement? Full-time work as a family practice physician until retirement; active in church.
 
3. Why do you want to serve on your school board? Promote individual learning and ensure that each student should achieve their best potential.
 
4. What are your goals for your district’s preschool program? Improve socialization skills while having fun.
 
5. Students from low income households often need additional resources to achieve academic success. What should the school district do to ensure that all students are successful? Tracking each student’s progress through the academic year with additional tutoring if needed.
 
6. Mississippi school districts are funded by a mix of federal, state, and local funds. The State contributes to local school districts through the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP). What role will you play in advocating for full funding of MAEP for your district? Ultimately, MAEP needs to be revamped but for now I will maximize this program to the fullest extent possible.
 
7. Do you agree that tax dollars should be used for only public schools and not for non-public schools such as vouchers, private school tuition, and on-line schools? Why or why not? I believe in school choice because the parents have the right to choose the best educational program for their children.
 
8. Mississippi is experiencing a severe teacher shortage. What strategies will you support to recruit and retain high quality educators? Increasing teacher pay and reducing waste in the budget.

Lauranne Tomaszewski

WINNER
 
1. What is your experience with the school district? (Did you or your children attend school in the district? Have you volunteered in or been employed by the district?) I have 2 sons that are in 4th and 6th grades at Ocean Springs Upper Elementary. I have been a volunteer with PTO. I am a member of the Board of Directors for both the Ocean Springs Education Foundation (OSEF) and the Ocean Springs Athletic Foundation (OSAF), and served on the Superintendent’s Parent Advisory Council.
 
2. What is your previous community involvement? I have taught 3rd grade Sunday School at my parish for 6 years. I am a Life Member of Junior Auxiliary of Biloxi-Ocean Springs. I’ve volunteered as Girl Scout Troop Leader, Excel by 5 Coalition Committee, MS Hands & Voices, Delta State University Gulf Coast Alumni Chapter (past president), and Gulf Coast Kappa Delta Alumnae.
 
3. Why do you want to serve on your school board? I am running for School Board because I believe that quality public education for all students is vital to our community. With 2 children in the district, I have a vested interest in the success of our schools. I am excited to have the opportunity to put my personal and professional experience, as well as my enthusiasm, to work for the students, families, faculty, staff and community of Ocean Springs in this capacity.
 
4. What are your goals for your district’s preschool program? Early childhood programs are important in learning social skills and high-quality programs help develop children and prepare them for success in later grades.
 
5. Students from low income households often need additional resources to achieve academic success. What should the school district do to ensure that all students are successful? Multifaceted approach is needed to address students’ physical, cognitive, psychological, language, social, and ethical – students will be more likely to succeed when all their needs have been met.
 
6. Mississippi school districts are funded by a mix of federal, state, and local funds. The State contributes to local school districts through the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP). What role will you play in advocating for full funding of MAEP for your district? MAEP funding is important and full funding would allow more funds for teacher salaries, new programs, and needed maintenance.
 
7. Do you agree that tax dollars should be used for only public schools and not for non-public schools such as vouchers, private school tuition, and on-line schools? Why or why not? I think vouchers can be beneficial to some families, but should work with and not against our public schools.
 
8. Mississippi is experiencing a severe teacher shortage. What strategies will you support to recruit and retain high quality educators? Strategic recruitment initiatives, mentoring and professional development opportunities to increase retention.

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