Mar. 23, 2019

Name: Paul D. Dornon
Occupation: Sales/Training
Education: Associates Degree/GIA GG
Years lived in LS: 10
Previous elected offices held: None

Why are you running for school board?

I have children in the district and I would like to be involved and have a voice in the decisions being made.

What ties, personally or professionally, do you have to the LSR7 School District?

I personally have two children attending elementary and middle school.

What other volunteer/civic involvement have you had? What have you learned from that experience?

I’ve been involved in other activities in the community such as scouts and coaching baseball and basketball. I’ve learned that most parents want to be involved but a lot of them are not sure how.

If elected, what would be your top priority as a board member?

Providing a safe positive and ethical environment while focusing on future growth.

In your opinion, what are the strengths and weaknesses of our school district?

Negative publicity is a weakness our greatest strength is all the great teachers, students and parents we have in our community.

What do you foresee being the biggest hurdle facing the district in the upcoming years?

Handling future growth/funding.

What are your plans for returning funding to dwindling and lost extracurricular activities?

No answer at this time.

How can the school district better prepare students for careers that don’t require a traditional four-year degree?

Offer and encourage more industrial arts classes and non-traditional classes.

How do you view the financial management of the district? Would you do anything to change it?

There can always room for improvement.

Do you believe that a teacher’s evaluation should be based on student test scores?

Yes.

What are your ideas for addressing suicide education and awareness at all school levels?

Given the number of suicides that has happened in the last year or two I believe it needs to be made a priority with teacher and counselors at all levels, elementary school needs to focus on specific training especially for counselors and teachers for fifth and six grade. There needs to be more resources for the students at the middle school level also sensitivity training available for the teachers and counselors. The high school level could use more free counseling/resources available to the students all of the teachers and counselors could use additional training to recognize warning signs.

What are your thoughts on the community conversations regarding equity and race relations, including the board’s recently adopted LSR7 Equity Plan, and how will you help move the district forward?

No answer at this time.

There has been criticism of the current superintendent and administration that has gone from constructive to unreasonable, particularly on social media. How do you propose creating a constructive dialog with the community?

I believe it needs to start at the top with people acting responsible/respectable on social media. The best way to avoid the criticism is to not have a problem to start with.

How do you plan to address public concerns and improve openness and transparency, including responding to Missouri Sunshine Law requests?

Following the laws and be open and transparent will illuminate the issue.

What do you think the relationship should be between the city and the school district concerning plans for additional growth in Lee’s Summit?

The city and the school district obviously have to work together in order to provide reasonable size classrooms for the students.