Ines Serget

School board race TAX LEVY ISSUE The business of education Total district operating revenues District spending and enrollment History of tax levy increases About the new tax levy Paying those employees Measuring student achievement How Columbia compares	Ines Segert [IN-DEPTH PROFILE] MU psychology professor Ines Segert is running for the Columbia School Board in part to promote greater openness. “Accessibility is one of my main issues,” Segert said. “I think right now the board members are not accessible to the public.” Segert thinks the board needs to focus on implementing smart and unbiased curriculum evaluation, insist on fiscal transparency and accountability, and create an atmosphere in which teachers can have trust in the fairness and objectives of the central administration. During her campaign, Segert has heard from people concerned with how math is taught in the public schools. In essence, there is disagreement over whether an integrated, less-formulaic approach is as effective in teaching math as the traditional, more memorization-based method. Segert, a mother of two sons in the public schools, said the district should offer the option of a traditional math curriculum instead of just the integrated math curriculum for younger students. “A school district should provide the very best education it can,” she said. “Curriculum is not the only part of education, but it is an integral part.” CCTA survey response In a survey conducted by teachers and parents groups, here is part of Segert’s response to this question: What budget issues and solutions do you see for the Columbia Public Schools in the next five years? “The largest and most important expenditure is teacher salary and benefits. In order to recruit and maintain quality teachers, CPS must continue to improve teacher salaries and benefits. Implementing a good curriculum is cost effective. A bad curriculum requires a large hidden outlay on remedial measures.” TANNER FLOWERS \| news@columbiamissourian.com

School board race

TAX LEVY ISSUE

The business of education

MU psychology professor Ines Segert is running for the Columbia School Board in part to promote greater openness.

“Accessibility is one of my main issues,” Segert said. “I think right now the board members are not accessible to the public.”

Segert thinks the board needs to focus on implementing smart and unbiased curriculum evaluation, insist on fiscal transparency and accountability, and create an atmosphere in which teachers can have trust in the fairness and objectives of the central administration.

During her campaign, Segert has heard from people concerned with how math is taught in the public schools. In essence, there is disagreement over whether an integrated, less-formulaic approach is as effective in teaching math as the traditional, more memorization-based method. Segert, a mother of two sons in the public schools, said the district should offer the option of a traditional math curriculum instead of just the integrated math curriculum for younger students.

“A school district should provide the very best education it can,” she said. “Curriculum is not the only part of education, but it is an integral part.”

CCTA survey response
In a survey conducted by teachers and parents groups, here is part of Segert’s response to this question: What budget issues and solutions do you see for the Columbia Public Schools in the next five years?

“The largest and most important expenditure is teacher salary and benefits. In order to recruit and maintain quality teachers, CPS must continue to improve teacher salaries and benefits. Implementing a good curriculum is cost effective. A bad curriculum requires a large hidden outlay on remedial measures.”

TANNER FLOWERS | news@columbiamissourian.com