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CANDIDATES’ QUESTIONNAIRE

For CCS Board of Education in 5/16/17 election

Jeffrey J. Woeppel

Jeff Woeppel

COMMUNITY OF RESIDENCE: Town of Middlefield

EDUCATION:

BA Economics, Georgetown University

Masters, Healthcare Administration, George Washington University

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

I was a healthcare administrator for 43 years; most recent position was Vice President for Network Integration, Bassett Healthcare. The role entailed responsibility for integration and optimization of services among six acute care hospitals as well as linkages to skilled nursing facilities, home care programs, and other health related organizations. Functional responsibilities included human resource management, financial management, strategic planning, system structure, and participation on numerous boards of trustees.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:

I currently serve as a trustee of St. Mary’s “Our Lady of the Lake” Catholic Church, where I am a Eucharistic minister and member of the Finance Committee. I have served as a director on the boards of the Red Cross and Hospice and our family serves as a foster home with the County of Otsego. Also, I am an Honorary Rotarian.

FAMILY:

My spouse is Janine Sabella, an ER physician, and I have three children, Alex,15, and Gabrielle,12, at home, and Theodora, 32.

PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION: 

Education is a very complicated topic. Acknowledgement must be paid to a variety of stakeholders:  students, teachers, parents, support staff, citizens/taxpayers, administration, government, the community at large, etc.  Somehow a balance must be achieved among these in order to have a successful educational experience.  Emphasis on quality, financial stewardship, relationships, connection to the community, and communication represent essential elements in approach.  PRIMARY FOCUS:  CREATION AND MAINTENANCE OF A TEACHING AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENT WHICH ACTUALIZES THE POTENTIAL OF EACH STUDENT.

MAJOR ISSUES FACING CCS:

The major issues facing CCS as I see them include:

  • The shrinking size of the student population estimated to be 100 fewer by 2020.
  • Financial stewardship: The requirement to have adequate resources to provide a high-quality education while recognizing the tax burden on the community particularly those with fixed incomes.
  • Continued development of connectivity to community resources and institutions e.g. Museum Night
  • Assurance of a continuing robust program of professional development for teachers, administrators, and board members
  • Maintenance of a relevant curriculum in the face of changing times, technological advances, and need for effective prep for the workforce of today and tomorrow.

RELEVANT PERSONAL QUALITIES:

Characteristics which I would bring to the role of board member:

  • Extensive experience working with Boards of Trustees
  • Facilitation and consensus-building expertise
  • Work with models of resource sharing and integration
  • A decision-making approach inclusive of listening, dialogue, evidence gathering
  • Professional history of focusing on the needs of the individual.   In health care, it is the patient; in education, it is the student

STATEMENT/SYNOPSIS:

For our society, effective educational institutions are essential to a vibrant, vital democracy. In addition to this interest, I have two children in the CCS school system.  Therefore, I have a compelling familial interest in the success and overall achievement of the school.  As I am retired, I have the time to invest in the role of board member. My skill set provides a good foundation from which to proceed; I am committed to learning about the areas with which I am not familiar in order to be an effective member of the school board.

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