2013 Survey Response: TEACHING STUDENTS AN ETHIC OF LIFE 1.  A purpose of a consistent ethic of life philosophy (see here, here and here) is to defend human dignity.  The violations of humanity there addressed include first the direct attacks against human life found in abortion and euthanasia.  Also addressed are persistent poverty, unjust war, capital punishment, the use of nuclear arms, violence, racism and exploitation.  As a school board member, will you do all within your power and authority to promote curricula that teach students a consistent ethic of life? A consistent message regarding the value of human life should be taught in schools. But, I also believe that education on ethics of human life should be first and primarily taught in the home, and then strengthened by the school and community.  If we want a strong community we need strong people, and we need to provide the opportunity for individuals to become strong people. SEX EDUCATION 2. The Washington State Legislature passed ESSB 5297 in 2007 requiring school districts to teach scientifically accurate comprehensive sex education, if they teach sex ed at all.  A 2012 Congressional report promoting the Sexual Risk Avoidance (SRA) model states that "[Comprehensive Sex Education] has failed to lower rates of teenage pregnancy because it assumes that preteens and teens are fully capable of making decisions without adequate guidance. By contrast, a clear understanding of teenage behavior is why public health campaigns against teenage drinking, smoking, and reckless driving have been relatively successful. They are not value neutral when it comes to teenage choices, especially those with public health ramifications. These programs set realistic and age appropriate expectations for the teens and then show them how to avoid the risky behaviors." As a school board member, will you do all within your power and authority to promote life respecting sex education curricula? Yes. SCHOOL CLINICS 3. Should school board policy allow the on-site dispensing of birth control drugs or devices, give abortion counseling, or provide referrals to off-site abortion clinics?  See the 2010 incident that received widespread news coverage involving a Seattle area in-school clinic that set up an abortion for a 15-year-old high school student with neither her parents’ knowledge nor consent.  Schools should not give abortion counseling or provide referrals for off-site abortion clinics. ABORTION 4. Even dedicated proponents of abortion acknowledge that life begins at conception.  What do you believe?  Does a unique human life begins at conception?  The uniqueness of an individual does not come when you finally see their eyes or nose. During pregnancy the fetus is constantly changing and becoming unique. Just because it is a fetus does not mean it is not already a unique creation. I believe it starts at conception or very shortly after. 5. The 14th Amendment states "nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty or property without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." The Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade, 1973, stated that "if this suggestion of personhood is established, the appellant's case, of course, collapses, for the fetus' right to life would then be guaranteed specifically by the [14th] Amendment."  The Court regrettably concluded though that "we need not resolve the difficult question of when life begins. When those trained in the respective disciplines of medicine, philosophy, and theology are unable to arrive at any consensus, the judiciary, at this point in the development of man's knowledge, is not in a position to speculate as to the answer."  Do you believe that the right to life of the unborn child is guaranteed by the 14th Amendment? Yes. 6. Is taking the life of a pre-born child through abortion ever permissible?  It is very difficult to say when it is or is not permissible to forfeit a life and I do not believe that it can be broken down into a series of checkboxes. I believe that it is not permissible to forfeit life for gender, race, to punish a spouse or for economic hardship. Beyond that, even when it is to save another in the process, the decision is of a very personal and private one between the individuals involved in the pregnancy and, if they believe in one, their God.  I have a strong inclination towards valuing and protecting the sanctity of human life at all ages and stages of its development. 7. Do you support parental notification and/or consent before a minor (under 18 years of age) could have an abortion?  A judicial bypass of parents would be allowed when necessary. Notification?  Yes. As guardianship dictates it is the parent’s responsibility to guide the minor in what can be a very overwhelming situation, thereby strengthening family relationships, bonds, and support systems. Consent? Yes.  Minors are not able to enter legal contracts, without consent, why should it be different for a major medical procedure like abortion?   PLANNED PARENTHOOD 8. Should your district partner in any way with the nation's biggest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, that in the 2011-2012 fiscal year received a record $542.4 million in government funding and aborted a record 333,964 babies?  Planned Parenthood is active in Oregon school districts, where their representatives have been allowed to regularly address students in both Portland and Salem.  Opposition has been firm and articulate (segment begins at 12:44).  Should Planned Parenthood be allowed to make presentations to students or provide literature, birth control chemicals or devises, or abortion services? No. SCHOOL CHOICE 9. The Supreme Court in Zelman v. Simmons-Harris (2002), held that Ohio's school voucher law did not violate the First Amendment's establishment clause.  It states "the Ohio program is entirely neutral with respect to religion. It provides benefits directly to a wide spectrum of individuals, defined only by financial need and residence in a particular school district. It permits such individuals to exercise genuine choice among options public and private, secular and religious. The program is therefore a program of true private choice" and "the program does not offend the Establishment Clause."  In addition, State Rep. Liz Pike of the 18th District has introduced HB 2063 this year to allow scholarship tax credits.   HB 2063 would allow lower income families to send their children to an approved private school of their choice.  Twelve other states currently have similar laws enacted. What is your position regarding the use of school vouchers, tax credits or other methods of increasing school choice in Washington State? As citizens who have chosen to live within the community of Camas, we need to do what is best to create the best competitive educational environment for children, so as to allow them as many opportunities to grow and learn.  As residences who selected to live within our own community, we have a responsibility to nurture and help our public schools to thrive. If as parents we exercise our choice to send our children to private schools it should not infringe upon the financial infrastructure of the community to which we are responsible and public schools are part of that responsibility.   QUALIFICATIONS 10. Please state your professional experience, community involvement, education and other qualifications for a school board position.   Professional Experience  I have 14 years experience with HotDocs in various leadership, management and other professional roles. In a few words my position as Senior Consultant and Project Management Professional consists of managing projects and training on or customization of coding within software sold by HotDocs* for large fortune 500 companies, top 100 law firms and the government. I have been through an executive leadership program and I was the Training Manager for HotDocs when it was owned by LexisNexis, which allowed me to expand the current training program and curriculum.  *HotDocs and LexisNexis do not support any political candidate, political party,  or political campaign.   Education Bachelors of Arts Degree with a Minor in Business form Brigham Young University Project Management Professional from the Project Management Institute HotDocs Certified from LexisNexis Time Matters Certified from LexisNexis Concordance Certified Software Administrator from LexisNexis   Community I am currently a School Board Director, Position 2 in Camas. As an experienced Camas School Board Director, I strive to remember that what I do affects people’s lives, most importantly the lives of students. I believe in high expectations for learning and I enact responsible policies that contribute to the success of the students and staff within our district. I am an integral part of a team and I have formed effective, respectful relationships with my fellow School Board Directors and the Superintendent. Through open and honest communication with the Camas community members and local and state elected officials, I advocate for everyone within the Camas School District.    I have served in many ways as a School Board Director including, but not limited to: being on various special committees including SHAC, the Technology committee, the Budget committee, the Joyce Garver Theater committee, as well as others, help in the interview process for the Grass Valley principal, tour schools to meet with students and staff, observed classrooms and PLC meetings, and attend research observation opportunities, like the Spanish Emersion Program at Harmony Elementary. I am currently a member of the Dorothy Fox Elementary PTA, I have been a member of the Prune Hill Elementary PTA, and I have served in various capacities within my church. *The Camas School District, the Dorothy Fox Elementary PTA, and the Prune Hill Elementary PTA do not support any political candidate, political party, or political campaign.  11. May Life Pac post your returned survey on our website?  Your response is only posted with your permission.  Yes.