This interview is part of a weekly series of conversations with candidates running for local government offices leading up to the November 4 municipal election. This interview has been edited for clarity and conciseness.
SCHNELLE: Why did you decide to run for the Pittsburg School Board?
MILLER: I have a deep love for USD 250. I was there for 15 years. I served five years at Nettles as an elementary principal, and 10 years at Westside as an elementary principal before I retired in 2011. We went through many cycles of everything that could be happening in the society we are in. But I had really come to love the community and the people here. When I was asked to run, I said, "I'd think about it. When they dismantled the Department of Education at the federal level, that really kicked me into gear because I know this community depends on federal money in their schools. Especially to help make the education level equitable for all kids, not equal, equitable. And I thought, I got up and get moving here. I’m still young, I’m 68, I feel like I’m 29. I know I've been out for 14 years, and a lot has happened then. But my belief is education is the key to success for all kids. We're given the bases. And if you don't master those bases that make you successful in life, like social skills, how to work together. And they don't show mastery on it, their choices are going to be very limited. We need to take a good look at how we can maximize my student learning and how we can do it on the budgets we're given. You have to have people on board that are aware.
SCHNELLE: What do you hope to accomplish if elected to the Pittsburg School Board?
MILLER: I don't have specific issues. Mine is just about learning and funding and being an advocate for all children and make sure they have an equitable education. Those are the goals I want to work with my colleagues and with the school district and with the community and keep our schools moving, learning, student learning - making it equitable for all and continue with that. I know what it takes to make a good school day, and I know that when you come to budget cutting, it's going to be difficult. And you're going to pick out the least harmful towards education. As long as we keep our voices louder than our emotions, we will be fine.
SCHNELLE: What do you want voters to know about you?
MILLER: I went to Jefferson County North Schools. My dad and mother even stated to us When n we were growing up, education was the key for you to have a good future, and they lived that. My dad was on the school board for 14 years. He wanted to make sure all kids had equitable learning. He always supported that viewpoint. That's where I getmy view is from my parents. I am the oldest girl, the fifth child of nine children, and that is a big part of what I'm about. I have that kind of influence in me, the educational influence along with farming, you have to make you got out of what's there in front of you. I also am a part-time artist, have a gallery I show my art in, and I'm part of that art cooperative. And I and three others started that up in 2016.
I just believe from the heart and from the gut and from the brain that this community is worth saving, and this community of kids are awesome. Everybody has a different social procedure and how do you do things, andI've experienced that for 31 years, so I know how to do that.
SCHNELLE: Is there anything else that you'd like to add?
MILLER: Here's a quote: “Education is simply the soul of society as it passes from one generation to another” - J.K. Chesterton.
This other ones, my favorite. “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.” Andy McIntyre.
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