Steamboat Pilot & Today

Election 2011

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Wayne Lemley

Age: 48

Immediate family: one son, one daughter

Occupation: Founder of financial information technology business

Years in community: 8 years

Q. In what specific ways do you see yourself impacting your school district as a school board member?

A. Working to increase public education funding in Steamboat, and working to improve basic reading, math, communication and science education.

Q. Why are you running?

A. To help with the above.

Q. What is your background in education, and in what ways are you involved in your community?

A. PhD Brown University, School Accountability Committee at Soda Creek Elementary School in Steamboat, teach math as a parent at Soda Creek.

Q. How would you look through your district's budget as a school board member and make recommendations on whether a certain program or item should be eliminated or reduced if funding to your school district is cut again this year?

A. Basic reading, math, communication and social skills are most important for our kid’s futures. I would also look at increased use of good educational technology if budgets became very constrained.

Q. Do you support Proposition 103, which would raise the state’s sales and income taxes to increase funding to Colorado public schools, or tax increases of any kind to fund public education? Why or why not? (If yes, what specific programs or budget items would you put increased revenue toward?)

A. Yes, Prop 103 would cost the average family only 50 cents a day, less than I spend on snacks and junk food.

Q. If elected, how would you measure the success of your board and your superintendent?

A. I would look for articulated strategies that work. Hiring of the very best talent available, CSAP scores.

Q. Do you support the use of a secret ballot for any board decisions?

A. Very rarely, can’t think of any situations.

Q. How would you respond to scrutiny from members of the public who might disagree with the decisions you make as a board member?

A. I would want to listen carefully to their reasons for disagreement.

Q. What is your connection to your school district, and how familiar are you with the functions and responsibilities of your school board?

A. Two children in our public elementary schools. I have attended several school board meetings. I have met several times with current school board members.

Q. Do you have any prior experience on a public governing board?

A. No direct experience.