eric cowan dkf questionnaire responses

7/29/2019 Eric Cowan DKF Questionnaire Responses

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Eric Cowan

District 7

2013 DKF Survey Responses

Pol.Adv., Kids First PAC

2 Please describe your involvement in Dallas ISD or public education issues over the

last five years.

I have served on the DISD Board of Trustees for one three-year term representingDistrict 7.

3 Please explain leadership positions and responsibilities that have prepared you forschool board governance.

As the DISD Trustee for District 7 these past three years, I served as liaison to the

Citizens Budget Review Commission, chaired the Board's Audit Committee for twoyears, and was chosen by my fellow trustees to serve as 2nd Vice President of theBoard.

4 Please identify three specific issues that you think should be addressed in order toimprove the quality of education in Dallas ISD.

We need a strong, supportive central administrative office dedicated to the success of

individual schools. We need to improve campus leadership. We need to improvecommunication focused on parental and community involvement.

5 If elected, what would you do to address each of these issues?

The board hired a superintendent who is focused on improving these three issues, as

well as many other problem areas. The board needs to continue to guide and supportthe superintendent while holding him responsible for improvements.

6Do you think Dallas ISD faces a teacher morale problem? If so, what do you thinkare the primary causes, and what would you do as a Trustee to improve morale?

I believe there are pockets of morale problems. The board can improve moralethrough policy management. The superintendent can improve morale by improving

campus leadership.


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Eric Cowan

District 7



7 Do you think Dallas ISD teachers and principals receive effective professionaldevelopment?

No, but I expect the superintendent to improve this area.

8 Please rate the following Dallas ISD practices in terms of effectiveness.

Very

Weak Weak

Somewhat

Effective Effective Strong

Not

Sure

Teacher recruitment

Principal recruitment

Teacher professionaldevelopment

Principal professional

development

Retention of high

performing teachers

Retention of high

performing principals

9 For any of the Dallas ISD practices rated "very weak", "weak" or "somewhateffective" in the question above, please explain what you will do as a Trustee toimprove the practices.

The board hired a superintendent who is focused on improving these issues, as well asmany other problem areas. The board needs to continue to guide and support thesuperintendent while holding him responsible for improvements.

Text Block :

Please indicate your level of agreement or disagreement with the following three statements.

10 Parental and community involvement is extremely low, which prevents Dallas

public schools from consistently generating high-achieving students.


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Eric Cowan

District 7



Strongly Disagree Disagree Neutral Agree Strongly Agree

Comment:It's low but I think we recognize its importance and are focused on seekingsolutions.

11 Dallas ISD's college-readiness failures (i.e., the district's SAT/ACT scores are in the

bottom 25% of all U.S. test takers) are the school board's ultimate responsibility.


Comment:The college-readiness failures of DISD are the collective failure of many

participants. An important first step for the board is to remain focused onconstant improvement until we exceed our expectations.

12 Students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds cannot consistentlyperform at high academic levels without first addressing poverty and other socialissues.


Comment:I've met many students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have graduatedfrom DISD and gone on to be successful after high school. Poverty and othersocial issues need to be discussed in a manner that focuses on helping children

overcome their individual hurdles.

13 Dallas ISD's superintendent has identified the following structural problems thatnegatively affect student achievement. Which three issues should be "toppriorities" (please highlight exactly three top priorities)? Similarly, which issues are

less important? Please label at least one issue as "not critical".

Not

Critical

Important But

Not a Top

Priority

Top

Priority

Teacher morale is at a long term low.

Principal evaluations are routine and


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Eric Cowan

District 7



meaningless.

Educators do not have access to

comprehensive, powerful technology to

guide learning for each student.

The District's budget is not driven by

instructional priorities.

Principals are paid the same regardless of

performance.

Teacher evaluations are not accurate or

rigorous.

There is no standard or process for

identifying high quality candidates for

schools, classrooms, and central office

positions.

Micromanaging staff is a pervasive problem

and undercuts progress.

There is no accountability for poor

customer service (where customers are

parents and students).

We are losing strong candidates because the

hiring process sometimes takes months.

Comment:DISD success begins and ends with the human resource function.

14 Analyzing information is a fundamental Trustee responsibility. What informationwill you rely on to have a full understanding of board issues, and what groups will

you call on for perspective (e.g., staff, central office, constituents)?

As a current trustee, I communicate constantly with the superintendent and otherappropriate administrators on district issues. In order to be an effective trustee, it isimportant to read materials, stay informed, and be prepared for board meetings. I will

call upon constituents and other organizations for input on important decisions.Ultimately, it is my responsibility as an elected trustee to make wise decisions for our

district and our children.

15 Please highlight three school district micromanaging pitfalls, and explain how you

would avoid these pitfalls as a Trustee.


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Eric Cowan

District 7



The role of a school board trustee is to govern the district through sound policymanagement. The board, as the governing body of DISD, provides oversight of

district operations through direct supervision of the superintendent.

16 What local organizations are you affiliated with, and how have they influenced yourthinking regarding the needs of the district? Please give at least three examples.

I am not affiliated with any specific organizations but I welcome input from anyoneconcerned with improving DISD. I have enjoyed getting to know many organizationsthat are concerned with and involved in improving the state of DISD.

17 How do you plan to balance the needs of your individual voters with the needs ofthe whole district?

That is a constant challenge that every trustee who serves a single-member district

faces. I have found that one can advocate successfully for their specific district'sneeds while supporting the success of the district as a whole.

18 Who will you consult with when considering and making key decisions for thedistrict?

I accept input from anyone who is interested in improving DISD. Ultimately, it is my

responsibility as an elected trustee to make wise decisions for our district and our

children.

19 What is the ideal relationship between the superintendent and the Board ofTrustees?

The ideal relationship between the superintendent and board is one of trust andseeking common ground. Disagreements will occur from time to time. It is our

responsibility to move the district forward together despite our differences.

20 What district relationships need to be created or improved?


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Eric Cowan

District 7



DISD needs as much outside help as possible. We need better parental involvement,community support, and additional resources for strategic purposes. I am encouraged

by the level of involvement that has improved over the last three years.

21 What are three questions you would ask a candidate for Dallas ISD superintendent?What would you want to learn from those questions?

How have you improved your current district, and can you quantify it?How do you view your current board?Who has the most impact on child's education, and how do you maximize that

impact?

22 How will you encourage parent and community collaboration with teachers,principals, and the superintendent?

I think we are off to a good start with increased community meetings, Open Mikenights, and other organizational meetings. The board needs to encourage open

dialogue among the stakeholders and administration, especially during tough times.

23

How do you plan to communicate and connect with all Dallas ISD stakeholders --students, parents, teachers, school administrators, and the community?

I need to improve communication by being more accessible and better balancing myfamily and work responsibilities.

eric cowan dkf questionnaire responses

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