KINGMAN, Ariz. – Jeri Wolsey, with three decades of experience in education, is seeking election to the KUSD school board. She desires to serve students, families, and the community based on her knowledge of schools, leadership, and collaborative work.
“I am seeking a position on the school board because I want to use my 30 years of experience in education to serve our students, families, and community,” said School Board Candidate Jeri Wolsey. “Throughout my career, I have gained valuable knowledge about the needs of schools, the importance of leadership, and the value of working collaboratively.”
She stated she wants to be helpful by listening, by making thoughtful decisions and supporting opportunities that help students and staff succeed.
“I also want to represent my community with integrity, honesty, and respect, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard.”
She said she believes best decisions are made through teamwork.
“I look forward to being part of a board that works together respectfully, focuses on solutions, and always keeps the best interests of students at the center of every decision.”
As for Kingman schools and students being ranked below average by Niche, Ms. Wolsey said the scaled scores the state uses, put most districts in a low proficiency category.
“Academically, KUSD is moving in the right direction,” Ms. Wolsey stated. “It’s important not to judge the school or district based on a state letter grade alone.”
She said, “KUSD has many at-risk students and the schools and teachers are working hard to align instruction to needs and move students forward. It’s working.”
If elected, she plans to visit schools and classrooms to see how the board can help them further.
Ma. Wolsey stated that public schools are underfunded because of required underfunded mandates.
“When the school has to use resources to meet those mandates, it loses the ability to adequately provide raises or classroom resources.”
She said as a board member, she would participate in the Arizona School Boards Association (ASBA) meetings and work with fellow board members to advocate for public schools.
What did Ms. Wolsey have to say about Kingman High School facing non-compliance penalties for failure to meet state financial reporting standards per the Arizona Auditor General and the Arizona State Board of Education?
“KUSD had a temporary situation that arose when a novice finance director failed to post and submit financials in a timely manner and made clerical errors,” she stated. “Immediately, upon discovering the errors, KUSD made changes and all corrections were accepted… The last two audits were good.”
Ms. Wolsey was asked if micro schools had any affect on public schools.
She said if a student leaves public school for a micro school, the funding for that student goes with them, but the public school’s expenses do not.
“Because many costs are fixed, losing a handful of students can reduce revenue more quickly than expenses can be reduced,” she stated. “This causes budget crisis.”
“Also, when students leave for micro schools, they enter a non-monitored environment…In a micro, there are no measurements by which students are rated. There are no academic requirements, so while public schools are held to an impossible standard, micros have no standard at all. That affects all of us, not just the schools.”
Jeri Wolsey concluded, “As a board member, I will work with KUSD stakeholders to continue their mission and get the word out that public schools can and do provide the best option.”
