Gibbons Wants to Focus on Raising Student Achievement, Test Scores

Ann Gibbons said the ’s (HSD) main priority should be obvious.

During a , Gibbons said the district must improve on teaching reading, math and science because that’s what the state testing and accreditation process focuses on.

“We have to bring up the test scores of the kids who score below the state average on the MAP (Missouri Assessment Program) tests,” Gibbons said. “We don’t have any accreditation problems right now, but you can’t coast along, resting on your laurels. You have to constantly work on it.”

Gibbons is one of four candidates running for three seats on the Hazelwood School District Board of Education in the April 5 election. The other candidates include Charles “Chuck” Woods, Brenda Youngblood and Nita Curry. Gibbons and Woods are incumbents. Another school board member, Diane Dowdy, decided not to seek re-election.

Gibbons also said the best way to impact student achievement is by changing teaching methods.

“Some schools are doing marvelously,” Gibbons said. “Others are doing less marvelously.

"They schedule workshops left and right for teacher in-service training, so if what they’re doing isn’t igniting the kids and getting results, then they can learn from other teachers about their best practices and teaching methods.”

She said the district relies on getting the building principals first.

“They push the teachers to improve teaching methods and instruction,” she said. “They’re all working towards improving.”

Gibbons has the most board of education experience in the Hazelwood School District, having served on the HSD Board of Education for 30 years. She was first elected in 1981 and currently serves as the board’s treasurer.

“I’ve had five kids, and goodness knows how many exchange students graduate from Hazelwood Central and Hazelwood East,” Gibbons said. “When parents call me, I’m able to tell them where to go with a problem.”

She believes the biggest issue facing the Hazelwood School District is its budget, as the State of Missouri has not fully funded the state aid formula for several years.

“God bless the taxpayers--they gave us a tax increase when Jefferson City (the state legislature) cut funding,” Gibbons said.

But that money has been budgeted, and the Hazelwood School District is at the top of its allowable tax rate, she said.

“Money is the big problem, and Jefferson City doesn’t have the money either,” she said.

Ask her what she feels HSD needs, and Gibbons will tell you that she would like to see the district add an alternative school. She said that she doesn’t see it in the immediate future.

“I would love an alternative school, but financially, I don’t know how we would do it,” she said. “How would you pay for it? Who is going to teach there?”

Finding space, staffing and equipping an alternative school all could cost money, she said.

“We haven’t taken a good, hard look at an alternative school because we know we can’t afford one right now,” Gibbons said.

This is the first of a series of articles on all four Hazelwood School District Board of Education candidates. Check back Monday, March 28 for a profile on Brenda Youngblood. For a schedule of election coverage .