Solon School Board Election 2011: Dorothy R. Seibert

Editor's Note: As part of Solon Patch's local election coverage, we will provide profiles of each of the candidates running for office. These profiles will offer biographical and issue-oriented details about each of the candidates to help you, the voters, make more-informed decisions at the ballot box. We also will have a short video of each candidate that will help you learn more about them.

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Name: Dorothy R. Seibert
 
Age: 64
 
Occupation: Community Volunteer
 
Education: Ursuline College College, B.S.N., Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honorary Society recognizing Achievement and Leadership, Psychiatric Nursing Award; Duke University, B.A., Psychology,  Phi Beta Kappa, Magna cum Laude
 
Political Affiliation: Republican
 
Office Sought: Solon Board of Education
 
Previous Political Office Sought or Held: Completing my 6th four-year term on the Solon Board of Education
 
Candidate Statement: My original campaign emphasized developing a Strategic Plan for Solon City Schools, improving academic excellence and creating a more modern and productive workplace. I believe great progress has been made in all these areas. The Strategic Plan, which was developed during my first term, was created jointly with community members, administration, staff members and board members. It has served as the guide for the School District for over 21 years. The skillful implementing of the continually updated Strategic Plan has joined the seven schools of the Solon City School District into a true School System with a common purpose and expectations.  I have been President and Vice President of the Board numerous times.  I was on the Policy Committee that initially took the challenge of overhauling the Policy Manual  to make it a meaningful document.  Since I have been on the School Board I have continuously served on the Administrative and Negotiating Committees, and thus have worked closely with the Administration and staff members.
 
The collective will of the community has created a School District for our children that is consistently rated Number 1 by Cleveland Magazine, is consistently ranked in the top 5 of over 600 districts in the State, has 5 schools honored as “United States Blue Ribbon Schools” and has all 7 of our schools “State Superintendent Schools of Distinction”. Solon High School is rated among the nation’s best by Newsweek and the Washington Post.  Money Magazine noted Solon’s topnotch schools as a factor in awarding the City of Solon the 3rd best City in which to live with a population of less than 50,000.
 
Our students excel in the Academics, Arts and Athletics. Last year a record 37 Solon students were recognized by The National Merit  Scholar Program, 283 Solon students earned AP Scholar awards, the Solon High School and Solon Middle School Science Olympiad teams both won the 2011 national championships, Solon’s Future Problem-Solving, Academic Challenge, Speech and Debate and Mock Trial teams all won top state and national/international honors.  Band, Music, Show Choir, Drama and all Sports are achieving at the highest level. Our students are recognized locally, statewide, nationally and internationally with many other awards and achievements in the academics, arts and athletics.
 
Fitch has just raised our bond rating to AAA at a time when many government entities are at financial risk. This highest rating is based on a strong, stable economy in Solon, strong voter support, school financial stability, strong school management, low debt levels, and excellent reputation. Our citizens both demand and support excellence. Citizens study the information about the schools, provide input into our Strategic Plan, volunteer time and talent, support levies and lobby the state when necessary.  Over the years this Board and Administration have developed a mutual trust with volunteers, citizens and Solon City officials that we will each do our part to “. . . ensure all students attain the knowledge and skills to succeed and become contributing, ethical citizens in a global society, through our unwavering commitment to inspire every student to achieve personal excellence” (excerpt from Solon City Schools Mission Statement).
 
The State can immediately and dramatically impact Solon Schools finances and governance. The Solon School Board has supported our Superintendent and Treasurer in their organizing school districts similar to Solon to create a stronger voice in Columbus. I, my fellow Board Members and the Administration know historic, background information and can remind legislators about what actually happened and what was promised regarding Tangible Personal Property Tax hold harmless for school districts at the time CAT was created.  Citizens contacted legislators and the Board and Administration travelled to Columbus to champion Solon’s case. At least for now,  together we have been successful in avoiding total loss of our Tangible Personal Property Tax hold harmless revenue.
 
I am proud to have been part of the team that has led to these successes and hope to continue the journey of continuous improvement in every aspect of Solon City Schools.