The Journal-World sent a seven-question survey to each school board candidate running for the four seats worth a four-year term. Seven people filed for those seats. The four winners will be determined in the April 7, 2015 general election. Read candidate profiles and questionnaires here.

• Ronald “G.R.” Gordon-Ross, 40, is a health care IT professional. He volunteers at Prairie Park Elementary School and served on the district’s Elementary School Facility Vision Task Force, which was charged with studying how to make schools more efficient.

What makes you the right candidate for the school board?

I have a vested interest in USD 497 as a member of the community and as a parent in the district. I believe that at this point in my life I can offer substantive help to the schools here. I have been in Lawrence for a long time; I did not grow up here but all five of my children have. I have had the privilege to watch my children mature while in the care of the USD 497. It is a great school district and I want to be able to give back what it has given my family.

What issues should the school board focus on in the coming years?

The most significant issues facing the board in the coming years are revenue-based. With the pending (although imminent) actions at the state level, school funding is going to change and the board needs to be prepared to respond. Discussion on capital outlay and bond projects will continue as the student body in Lawrence continues to grow. We need to focus on making sure our budget process is a bottom-up practice, instead of top-down. Budget decisions should focus on the kids in the classrooms; therefore the budget process should in large part be driven by input from teachers.

How should the board address the budget issues it faces because of state cuts?

The board should help the district continue to find ways to do more with less. I would prioritize funding to areas that offer direct impact within the classroom – certified staff, teaching and classroom supplies and technology. I would first look to areas such as classified staff, administration support staff and supplies, professional development and look to find enough there to not have to touch classroom dollars. I can be sure of two things: the ultimate decisions will be difficult and not everyone will agree with them. But that will not keep us from having to make those difficult decisions.

Are Lawrence students shortchanged in any aspect of their education?

The clearest issue that I can see where work could be done is in providing an equitable education. There needs to be a focus on those students who classify as lower socioeconomic status. This issue needs to become a greater focus as the district continues to implement programs such as blended learning classrooms and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). How do we, as a school board and district, make sure that every child has access to a device outside and within the classroom to meet the expectations that these types of instructional focuses require?

Do you support Common Core standards? Why or why not?

I support the concept behind Common Core, meaning that our curriculum should be held to some sort of standard that would be recognized as credible by those outside of Lawrence. I understand that Common Core is a very political issue and a great many people are very passionate about it. My only concern with Common Core is a feeling teachers must “teach to the test.” Regardless of what the standards are called or where they come from, I support creating expectations for our students’ education, as long as we continue to validate the efforts of our teachers.

Should teachers have tenure rights? Is it “too hard” to fire teachers with tenure?

Teachers should have tenure rights as part of being a member of a union. I do not believe it is so difficult to fire a teacher as to make it necessary to scrap the entire tenure system. They should be afforded some level of protection in their jobs. The district has adopted a due process system and is using the Danielson Group’s Framework for Teaching as a way to evaluate individual teachers to a rigid set of standards. This process with continue to help the district to determine which teachers will continue to have the privilege to teach our children.

Do you support moving school board elections to November in even numbered years and/or making the elections partisan?

I do not support this move for all of the reasons outlined by the School Board resolution passed on Feb. 9. It would be difficult to compete for the attention of voters while statewide and national elections were being held and it would disrupt the school year by having new board members join in the middle of a school year. I also do not support making the elections partisan. A local school board should remain a non-political entity and be treated as such when people vote.

More 2015 Lawrence school board election coverage

• Candidate profiles and questionnaires