Note to readers: The answers to survey questions below have not been edited in any way. They were provided as is by the candidates.
Name: Vicki Ericson
Occupation: Retired following twenty-six (26) years as a representative with State Farm Insurance I was an Agent in Grand Forks and Loveland, Colorado and in Management as an Agency Field Consultant and Agency Field Specialist in Wyoming, traveling the Western half of the State of Wyoming.
Age: Fifty-nine (59)
Family: Married for thirty-two (32) years to Tom. Mother to three children; two daughters and a son. My oldest daughter is employed by Altru as an Informatics Coordinator; my son is iin the Film and Music Industry; and my youngest daughter is a Gifted and Talented and Technology teacheri in another State, however will move into a fourth grade teaching position next year. Married for 32 years to Tom. Mother to three children; two daughters and a son. My oldest daughter is employed by Altru as an Informatics Coordinator; my son is in the Film and Music Industry; and my youngest daughter is a Gifted and Talented and Technology teacher in another state, however will move into a fourth-grade teaching position next year.
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Leadership experience: Currently serving on the Grand Forks School Board for four years, I am presently the Vice-President. I received the Super Spa Award in 2000 for my volunteer effors and as SPA enters its twenty-fifth year in 2012 I am very proud of this involvement.. Throughout the years there have been many leadership positions, both professional and within the community. Prior to my insurance career I was an Executive Director to a Downtown Development Corporation / City Downtown Development Director, While in college and following for ten years total I was in Banking, starting as a teller and ending my banking career as s Senior Officer responsible for the Operations of the Bank.
Why are you seeking a seat on the Board?
There is more to be done and my commitment to children CONTINUES TO HOLD IMPORTANCE TO ME. HOPEFULLY I BRING A WELL-ROUNDED PERSPECTIVE TO THE BOARD.
What is the biggest issue the School Board is facing?
If Measure 2 passes funding will be the most important issue. Hopefully we will not have to deal with this problem. Education deserves to be funded without interruption and property taxes allows the most consistent approach for raising dollars. Oil and gas production is not guaranteed to our State! Our administration, staff, teachers and children do not need to fight annually for their programs.
How would you deal with or approach that issue?
Education has been a top priority to North Dakota in the past. It should continue to be funded appropriately in the future.
Are School District resources being used to maximum efficiency? What, if any, improvements would you explore or recommend?
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The construction projects at the two high schools are being funded with no increase in taxes. In fact, due to the current Administration and Board efforts and assistance through State programs, we will pay back less than was raised through bond issuance. Additionally the Accreditation process, and the Worner report reinforced that the District is utilizing it's resources to the maximum. This is not to say that "All will be well" forever, however we have been fortunate to have a strong financial picture in the past
What is your ideal classroom size, and why?
The ideal classroom size is less than twenty-two students, the District's current plan. My youngest daughter will have between thirty and thirty five students in her classroom. The larger number of students per classroom is typical throughout the country, and not a number that we should aspire to.
