Matthew Collins

Why are you running for the school board? What do you hope to accomplish ?

I am running for a large number of reasons. The first and foremost is that education is my life.
My goals all revolve around education and am deeply dedicated to helping all children. I went
into the field because I wanted to help and make a difference and that is why I am running
here. I am someone who believes that we are judged by our actions and dedication to others.

Yes, as a parent I have concerns for my own child, but answering questions during this
campaign has even made me question those concerns to debate whether I can make those a
priority. Im not always driven by what best for me, but I try to always find a path that is best
for all of those around me. It is why I live in Medina in the first place, it is why I became
involved in the Medina Early Childhood PTA, it is why I have helped out with Parma Education
Association, and it is why as an educator I am always reflecting and improving my own
practices.

My goals are simple, to ensure that all students in the district have the resources they need to
be successful. This can be done, in turn, by also ensuring that all educators and administrators
have the support and resources they need for success as well. I want to ensure that students at
all buildings and of all backgrounds receive the best education because it is not only a positive
investment in their lives, but it is a positive investment in the lives of everyone in the
community. Communities with strong schools have stronger economies and higher property
value.

I want to ensure that members of the community and stakeholders have a voice in policy. I
have reached out to parent groups, teachers, administrators, and prominent community
members because I value their input. I think more input and stronger support from the
community will ensure stronger achievement in the district. This, again, has benefits for
everyone in the community.

Most importantly I want to bring full transparency. Throughout this campaign I have strived to
make myself available for questions or meetings. Even going forward, I want to keep this true. I
dont like it when politicians or prominent community members make themselves inaccessible.
I find that to be rather counterintuitive and if elected I will ensure that I am available to meet to
address any concerns (barring that I am not at work). I am happy to listen to our community
and I want to ensure that not only my own desires are met, but that theirs are as well. This
requires open and public lines of communication. No back room deals. Honest policy making
that is in the best interest of the community.

What do you bring to the table (outside of being a parent) in terms of your skills,
abilities, experience, volunteerism, and how does it complement the current
composition of the BOE?
I work in the field and know and understand policy very well. I know the laws surrounding
education and what practices best align to those policies. I keep up to date on all current
research in the field and know what practices are valuable and which are not. With that I can be
a voice to ensure there is support for our district. This helps us ensure fiscal responsibility as I
understand the costs of materials and value of training in the long run.

Im a huge economics nerd and follow policy changes rather closely. I value investments that
dictate results. I dont want to waste money on resources that arent going to give results. Im
not wishing to take our district backwards and undo progressive measures weve taken to
ensure success. Knowing policy, practice and understanding the economics of our situation
brings a full view of our district.

I have managed companies and their budgets. I used to run a sound company years ago and I
helped manage the Fairlawn School of Music. When I worked with the sound company I helped
organize large charity and fundraising events with several thousand people. I understand the
difficulties of maintaining a budget and the complexities that come with running a small
business as well. With that said, I recognize how vital it is for a local community to have strong
schools to build a strong economy to support business growth.

I work with the Medina Early Childhood PTA as an executive board member. I am working on
new membership initiatives and expanding our demographics and member base. I joined the
organization so that my daughter could make friends and ended up planning and organizing
some events. I believe in the work of our current leadership so I jumped at the chance to help
the organization.

The current board has value from having a strong business background as it helped reign in the
financial difficulties of the past. I applaud them for their hard work. However, there is a need
for new viewpoints to see the district return to its previous prestige. After speaking with Mr.
Sable and other administration members, it has become clear that this is the consensus of the
district. We have done well to fix all of the problems of the past, but now it is time for us to
move our district into the future. Id like to help see that happen. I bring an understanding of
what students need and what resources will improve the quality of our district.

What are your top priorities to improve the quality of the education of Medina's
students?

I believe first we need to ensure we arent moving backwards. We want to bring our school up
to pace with those that are succeeding. The question I always ask, If another district is
succeeding, why cant we? We know that surrounding districts have revamped their curricular
resources and improved the technology and offerings available to students. Those districts that
have done so have seen growth and success. When I say growth, I dont necessarily mean
physical size, but I mean in achievement. I think these are resources we need to have our eye
on.

I personally would like to see more teaching support staff and coaching available in the district.
I know these are concerns administration would like to see as well, and Ive seen the value first
hand that these can bring to successful districts.

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing our district currently?

In all fairness I see a district that has come so far to overcome some really awful and unfair
circumstances. Ive seen a district that has revamped the way they respond to problems, not
just the district as an operating body, but the parents and community members. Ive never seen
a community with so many parents, citizens, and educators taking an active role. The fact that
the success of the district has become so important to so many is truly an asset.

With that said, often Ive seen school board members (in all districts) who dont understand the
field of education or know what best practices look like. I think our biggest challenges revolve
on building community buy-in to ensure we dont slide backwards. We are at a point where we
will be faced with tough decisions if we cant build community support. We need a board who is
willing to put themselves out in the public eye and is willing to meet with all members of the
community, those they agree with and those they dont. Without the support of our
community, our next steps forward will not be successful. Ive watched districts grow and seen
what it takes.

What issues does MCS need to address in its academic programs and offerings?
Conversely what do we need to do to address facilities?

We need to offer a diversity of programs and courses. After speaking with Mr. Farson at A.I.
Root Ive reached some creative solutions to ensuring we can offer a diversity of programs at
both our Middle Schools and High School. We discussed the credentials of candidates that
could be curtailed rather uniquely when looking for new teachers. Looking for unique
licensures, while it would decrease the candidate pool, could help us find educators who can
teach larger ranges of courses ensuring we have more offerings.

I would like to see a re-strengthening of our gifted programing. I think these are assets that
often attract young families to a district. I however, believing in financial responsibility, believe
that we should take a cost-benefit analysis to all offerings. Since we are looking at working
within our current funding levels, it is important to find creative ways to improve offerings
while maintaining our fiscal responsibility.

While there is always work that can be done in our building, at our current funding levels I find
it unlikely we will have any major renovations. While there are items I know wed like to see
improved, its like owning a house, you can only do so much with the time and money available.
Id hate to suggest anything that would bring us debt, but I think we need to find new and
creative solutions to addressing the concerns with our buildings held by parents, staff, and
administration.

What methods would you consider to get funding for the school system other than
putting a levy on the ballot?

The truth of the matter is this, the state of Ohio has changed its funding policies drastically.
Besides levies, there currently isnt another funding option. I would be happy to take on the
state and stand up to the inequality coming down from the statehouse. The fact that Ohios
funding has been found to be unconstitutional and unethical is a bit upsetting. People can talk
about how much it upsets them all they want, but if they have the time, energy, and resources
to tackle the issue and have done nothing; then they are part of the problem. I would be happy,
if our constituents wished, to take on the state house. Ive talked to board members in other
districts about this problem and their response is simply that districts feel like there is no way
to get results. I think its time a school board holds our local legislators accountable and
support the communities they serve. Im not one to play partisan politics nor one to fall in line, I
do whats right because its right.

Anyone who says that there is a third option is honestly lying. Under current Ohio law there is
only one true way for schools to get funding; levies. Other states with similar systems have
fixed their inequalities, most notably Illinois entire fiasco this year demonstrated that this does
not have to be a partisan issue. When discussing our children, we should always put their
success first because they are an investment that will benefit us. If we wish to fix our problem,
then we have to fight it and those who would keep it in its current form.

W hy do you believe that public education must be supported and strengthened in our
community, our state, and our country? Will you work with Ohio's legislature to protect
and strengthen public education and prevent the reduction in funds given to our
district?

Ohios charter schools have the highest failure rate in the country and lowest closure rate. Ive
recently created a video on this phenomenon in response to a recent study. John Oliver
mentioned Ohios charter schools in his report last year as well noting that Ohio is known as the
wild west of charter schools. This is because a lack of oversight and a system that in a
roundabout way allows non-profit charter schools to be run by for profit management
companies owned by the same entities. This corruption has only hurt the students in our state
and has not brought the results we were promised.

On a whole, Ohios charter schools underperform when compared to public schools in every
category. There has been scandal after scandal and some have cost millions to tax payers that
will never be repaid. The lack of regulation and oversight of these schools is chilling. Ive seen
what it looks like first hand and it is not something we should ever wish for our community. It
will not bring us success. Anyone who mentions closing buildings in our district must recognize
the risk it would bring.

Research is very clear. Strong public schools bring strong economic growth and strong
achievement. People are likely to live in the community that they grew up in. I have stood up
for public education at numerous turns as an educator and I will always continue to do so. I
think our legislators need a crash course in education and need to be made aware of what their
policies, or lack thereof, are really doing to our children and how that, in the long run, will only
damage our state. I will always do everything in my power to fight this battle since it is a top
priority to my lifes work to see that all children have a quality education.

We need board members who are invested in this and willing to fight the attempts to weaken
our schools. Strong schools are an asset to a community. The fact that so many are willing to do
so little, is rather discouraging. I will stand firm with MCTA and have reached out to their
membership as well as PTOs letting all sides know that I value the education our students
receive. This position for me isnt about making contacts or bumping elbows with members of
the statehouse, its about doing whats right four students and our community.

What are your thoughts on the differences in the way our schools are run? Do you
think rules and opportunities should be equal between all elementariness and the two
middle schools?

I think the response that each school is different and has different needs is rather rubbish. I
grew up in a community that had wealthy and poor students. I had friends who had million
dollar houses and friends whose parents received government aid. In our district, all students
were ensured a quality education. It was a commitment. Ive seen it done. This doesnt mean
there isnt flexibility, it means that there are resources and support given so that all students
can be successful.

I think all students should have equitable opportunities, and Im sorry if some disagree. Again I
go with the argument that ensuring our students have a good, strong, quality education is
important for our community as an investment. Now with that said, I do believe in flexibility. In
my own classroom I live by a mantra have a plan, be flexible or as I tell my students roll with
the punches. Things happen, needs are different, and we should be responsible and address
those needs as they are unique. I dont think our dedication to equity should be a restriction on
what a teacher can or cannot do.

What is your view on balancing special education accommodations against school
funding limitations?

I personally was taught that we are responsible to care for those who need support. I think this
is the sign of the moral compass of an individual. There are a lot of misconceptions of IDEA and
what costs the law actually brings. I heard of a community member complaining about 33%
percent of a budget going to special education. I have to say such outlandish lies are damaging
to our community, heartless towards our students with needs, and a sign of lacking moral
values. The math there is just wrong too.

I will say that I believe highly in LRE (Least Restrictive Environment) and creating a UDL
(Universal Design for Learning) approach to education. Not only can these be the most cost
effective measures, they can create stronger communities and benefit all students in a variety
of ways. I will say as an educator who has volunteered for inclusion, I recognize the value
having mixed rooms can bring all students.

It seems that with thousands of school districts in the country, we are all doing the
same thing, which doesn't seem to be producing dollar for dollar what many other
schools worldwide are producing. Besides asking for more money, what should the
district do to improve our results and become a top district in the state and country?

I could make assumptions about the difficulties facing our district. I could pretend to know all of
the underlying problems with our methodology or resources, but that would be arrogant of me.
My background in the social sciences makes me want to look at our schools objectively. I think
to find a culprit wed need to talk to other districts, look for what practices are getting results
and which are not, and bring in outside aspects. I think one of the greatest sources of
knowledge we have here are our own educators. Listening to their concerns as they are on the
front lines of these problems, is the first step. All of us can make assumptions, but I will not be
so brazen as to claim I know the problem or solution.

The truth is, none of the candidates teach in the Medina schools currently. None of us are there
in the meetings, the planning, and instruction that occurs in these buildings. On top of that,
many of the candidates dont have right type of expertise to make that call. I personally cant
make judgements on engineers because that is not something I have enough knowledge on.
Many school boards are filled with members who are lacking knowledge on the field of
education who make baseless accusations. A school board shouldnt really micromanage. Its
against the principals laid out by Ohio School Board Association. We do serve individuals
though, who have the first-hand knowledge of what practices seem to be working and what do
not. I think our best solution into uncovering this mystery is to create strong dialogue with our
teachers and reach out to other districts, experts, and consultants.

What I can promise is simple, I will do everything I can to set up that dialogue, coordinate those
meetings, and listen to all parties in order to find solutions. We may all have knowledge on our
own, but we are smarter together.