Siegler, Marc - Walled Lake Consolidated School District
Are you an incumbent?
Yes
Brief Intro of Candidate
I was appointed to the WLCSB in 1994. I was elected the following year and have served the community for over 30 years as a trustee. I am also on the Board of Directors for the Oakland County School Board Association and the Michigan Association of School Boards. I am married and both of my children have graduated from WLCSD. I am an advocate for public education in local, state and national levels. I have represented us in Oakland County, Lansing and Washington. I have been a presenter at the national level. I work as a board mentor to assist in answering board questions, training and development.
Endorsements
i /we are currently working to address endorsements
Top financials Contributors
Website and social media links
We are currently self funding
How would you engage and include parents, caregivers, community members and students in decision-making in your district around things like curriculum, budgeting and district policy?
We are and have been transparent within our community for all of my tenure on the board. We actively include parents, students and the community as a whole in district activities. A prime example of this would be when we had to redistrict the entire district years ago. The committee of staff, parents, students and community brought the recommendation for adoption to the board. The board empowered the committee/ community to lead us forward.
Policy is adapted after review and discussion. Audience and district input allows us to involve others in our processes.
What are your thoughts on school discipline and the way it is exercised in your school district? What are your thoughts on restorative practices?
We have a code of conduct that is distributed to all families/ students at the start of the year or when a student enrolls in the district. We work to keep our students in our building and classroom whenever possible. The key to restorative practices is building the relationship within the school building, statement of commitment to achieve the goal and honest communication. This is not always successful but is the best method.
What are your thoughts on how to improve student mental health
The demand for mental health services is increasing daily. The needs of our students, staff and community require more available services and the funding to address as an ongoing program. Funding in our budgets for mental health do not cover the actual costs involved. Funds used for mental health not covered in the budget or by a grant have to be addressed from the general fund. This takes funding out of the classroom. This is in addition to funding for special needs. We were supposed to be funded at 40% for IDEA funding. In a good year we are lucky to see 16% of the promised funding. In addition this funding is not guaranteed on a yearly basis in the budget.
What are your thoughts on ways to improve Black student achievement in your district and in Michigan schools overall?
Student achievement as a whole is a challenge in all districts. There are many items that effect achievement in our district such as ELL, Title 1 funding, At Risk Funding, transient student movement and other non identified items. In addition we do not focus only on the Black student we focus on all groups of students.
What are your thoughts on how to ensure that all students and their families, regardless of race, gender identity, sexuality, disability, religion, income status, etc., feel safe and included in your district?
As a school board member it is our responsibility and duty to educate ALL students regardless of race, gender identity, sexuality, disability, religion, income status, etc., and insure they feel safe. Providing educational opportunities for individuals to learn is a key to developing understanding of all.
What are your thoughts on how to recruit and retain staff, particularly staff of color, in your district with regard to pay, benefits, and working conditions?
We have gone out of state to different universities and college programs to recruit our staff. Their is no differentiation in our staff regarding pay, benefits and working conditions we offer based on the question. We recruit the best available person regardless of race, creed, color or sexual identity. We are proud of our diversity in staffing and student within our district.