Valparaiso Community School Board Welcomes Two New Members

VCS-school-boardThe Valparaiso Community School Board recently welcomed two new appointments to its ranks.

Dr. Robert Behrend, appointed by the Valparaiso City Council, has been an integral part of the Valparaiso Community for many years. He has served on numerous boards and committees including the Valparaiso Parks Foundation, Valparaiso American Little League, the Valpo Schools Foundation, as well as others.

The Center Township Trustees appointed Susan Hoffman, who has served for over 36 years in the Valparaiso Community School System. She brings with her a wealth of experience with the school, students, and community.

ValpoLife asked them to share their perspectives on the significant role they have been appointed to, the background they bring to the role, and their vision for the future of the Valparaiso Community Schools.

VCS-Schoolboard-Appointment2Why do you want to serve on the Valparaiso Community School Board?

Robert: I want to serve on the school board because I want to give back to the community that has given myself and my family so much. I want all children of Valparaiso to have the same opportunities that myself and my kids have enjoyed.

Susan: Giving back to one’s community is an honorable and vital role that many should offer. This is an opportunity that would enable me to give back to our community and school system. After spending over 36 years in Valparaiso Community Schools as an educator I am looking forward to maintaining the support that our community has for our schools here in Valparaiso and hope to help champion an even stronger pride within the education community. I want to make sure that we continue to provide the very best for the students of Valparaiso Community Schools – from programs offered, materials provided, maintaining school facilities, to making sure we have the very best educators standing in front of our classrooms.

Why do you think you were chosen for this role? What is it that you bring to the board to help them meet the challenges ahead of them?

Robert: I think I was chosen first and foremost because the city council felt I was the most qualified candidate. I bring to the board experience from the private sector running a business with many employees and having to make decisions every day that impact real people. My experience dealing with the public every day and problem solving should help me. I serve on many non-profit boards such as Valparaiso Parks Foundation Board Member (Co-chair Tower Park Campaign), Valparaiso Schools Foundation Board Member (Co-chair Wizards Event), Valparaiso Americans Little League Board, Referendum Committee (PAC Chairman), Superintendent's Advisory Committee and the Building Corporation. My professional life as well as serving on many boards has shown me how to work as a team with others. My most rewarding experience has been giving of my time, treasurer and talent. I regularly attend health classes to speak to Students about dentistry. Last summer, my office put together a program called "Smiles All Summer Long" to give free dental care to all children in the Valparaiso Community Schools that needed help. My staff and I will never forget this rewarding experience.

Susan: During my teaching tenure I served in many capacities on various committees and teacher leadership teams. While serving on curricular committees, I worked with my colleagues from across the district on all levels and was always enlightened by their experience and expertise. I valued growing professionally and knew that our students were always the focus for all we discussed and as a member of our teacher leadership team, I learned so much about the ‘management’ of a school system as well as the inner-workings of school finance.

I do believe that I bring commitment, collaboration, and communication to the Board.

  • I have proven to be a committed member of my teaching community, not only in my classroom, but as an active member serving on the many committees and in other leadership positions. I believe I am a strong team player and coalition builder.
  • After spending time at Johns Hopkins University working with Dr. Robert Slavin, I learned even more about the power of collaboration. As a teacher, I worked collaboratively with my grade level team, with my school team, with my Administrative team, and with my District team.
  • Communication serves as the link in all relationships, family and professionally. I know I am a proficient communicator and realize the power behind this quality. I do not believe in the pride of authorship but I do believe in having pride in my work.

What is your vision for the Valparaiso community schools in the years ahead? What is paramount to maintain, what are key areas of improvement you would like to see, and what are major decisions on the horizon that you feel will be most significant to the success of the school system for years to come?

Robert: My vision for the Valparaiso School System is to be a kid focused school system that provides opportunity for all children. My wife Karen and I are active members of Valparaiso and you will see us at many school related activities. I think that it is very important to keep a pulse of what is on the minds of parents and teachers. Valparaiso Community Schools needs to maintain excellence so people want to continue moving to our great community. I believe if kids have a great experience growing up in Valparaiso, provided the job opportunity, they will eventually want to move back and raise their family in Valparaiso. The referendum is addressing many of the facility Improvements thanks to the people of Valparaiso voting to help kids and providing opportunities that did not exist before.

Susan: I believe students need the knowledge and skills to take them to their “next step” in life. Classroom teachers are facilitators, instructors, coaches, and counselors with flexibility and a ‘forever present’ positive demeanor. Successful schools systems are led by those who realize the value of tools, resources, educators, and facilities. (Dr. Frataccia and his leadership team truly hit the mark here!) Integrity is evident, communication is practiced, and the school family recognizes they are the core of their community.

Our community rallied support for our Referendum passed a few years ago and I would like to ensure that our new facilities and our retrofitted facilities will be maintained with the highest of expectations. I would also like to continue to work together with our city and community members collaboratively – providing a strong and timely link of communication. I would like to see VCS continue to take pride in providing the BEST for our students and know ‘as good as we are, there is always room for improvement.’

What are major decisions on the horizon that you feel will be most significant to the success of the school system in the coming years?

Robert: The biggest major decision for any School Board Member is picking a Superintendent. If that situation arises, I would strongly encourage our school system to pick he or she that is in likeness to Dr. Frataccia. I happen to think both Dr. Frattacia and his wife Kaye are exemplary members of our community that not only work in occupations to help others but go way beyond in the nonprofit sector. They set an example for the rest of us as COMPLETE citizens of a community.

Susan: The most significant decisions for VCS in the years to come will be to continue to find the way to provide the very best for all of our elementary, middle, and high school students. Keeping current with the best educational practices, providing strong and enthusiastic members for our leadership team, staffing our classrooms with only the strongest of educators, and offering facilities that are safe and updated for those who walk the halls.