Rudolph Chavez

Candidate for Avon School Board myspace.com/chavezforavonschools chavezforavonschools@yahoo.com 440-258-2327
Employment:
EXPERIENCE College Achievement Program David N. Myers University, Cleveland, Ohio Counselor Coordinator September 1998 - Present Serve as academic advisor to 125 program participants at the College. Assist students with academic and career planning. Maintain accurate records of student conferences and maintain updated student files. Develop and provide workshops for students. Teach courses to first year students. Center for Student Transition and Support Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York AHANA (African, Hispanic, Asian and Native American) Academic Program Coordinator January 1997-June 1998 Worked in conjunction with Admissions Office on AHANA recruitment strategies. Managed retention programs and assessed needs for 1,300 AHANA students enrolled on campus. Coordinated Peer Mentor Program that served sixty incoming AHANA students annually. Provided diversity training for the campus community. Coordinated grant proposals for diversity initiatives. Advised student organizations. Taught freshmen seminar course. Office of Multicultural Affairs Bowling Green State Univ. Doctoral Fellow August 1993-January 1997 Taught University orientation course and advised a caseload of 15-20 multicultural students on academic and other University matters. Coordinated office research projects and served on University committees. Office of Student Activities Kent State University, Kent, Ohio Graduate Assistant August 1991-May 1993 Coordinated self-assessment of the Office of Student Activities and completed several research projects. Reconciled monthly student organization financial accounts. Advised Undergraduate Student Senate Contingency Fund and Finance Committee. Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment Kent State University, Kent, Ohio Summer Help Line Operator May 1992-August 1992 Answered inquiries on the Financial Aid Help Line and processed paperwork submitted over the counter. Office of Housing and Residence Life Stockton State College, Pomona, New Jersey Complex Director/Residential Programming Coordinator July 1987-August 1991 Managed a housing complex housing 850 students. Implemented and evaluated social, educational, and recreational programs. Maintained and supervised use of $18,000 programming fund. Supervised sixteen resident advisors and thirty floor managers. Coordinated use of the Residential Life Center.
Education:
North Olmsted High School - Diploma - 1983 Bowling Green State University - B.S.B.A. - 1987 Kent State University - M.Ed. - 1993 Bowling Green State University - ABD - 1999
Community Involvement:
Avon East PTA, Avon Middle School Boosters Knights of Columbus, American Counseling Association, Mid-America American Counseling Association, Mid-America Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel, Toastmasters International,
Family:
I have been married to my wife Karen for 19 years. Daughter Carina is a 7th grader at Avon Middle School Son Ramon is a 2nd grader at Avon East
Why would you like to be elected?
I see promise of what the Avon schools can be – a model school system that uses all of its community resources to provide our children with the challenge and support needed to do their best academically and be strong leaders. With degrees in business and education, and over 20 years in education as a college administrator and instructor, I have the experience necessary to bring about this vision. If elected, I will work with the Avon schools and the community to develop a district wide plan that puts children first and sets priorities to challenge and empower students to do their best! This plan will involve participation with community groups, colleges and universities, government; and facilitate an open and inclusive school system by community involvement in advisory committees, developing a sound fiscal plan and budget and having open communication with the community about district finances, priorities, and other matters. I will work hard to ensure that our children receive the academic preparation necessary to compete in the global workforce and the opportunity to attend, succeed and afford postsecondary education. According to a survey by ACT.org, only 32% of high school students are prepared for college level courses. I would like to survey past Avon graduates to see how they fare in their college experience and see what steps need to be taken to better prepare our students to enter higher education. The Avon school district must prepare for Ohio Senate Bill 311 that takes effect July 1, 2010 for the entering 9th grade class. This bill requires the completion of a new core set of classes for admission to a resident undergraduate institution starting with the year 2014-2015. I would like to see Avon take an active approach and adopt this core curriculum now to prepare our students and be a model for other school systems to follow. Other ideas I propose is to lower the class sizes in certain schools that are currently at 30 students per classroom. It is difficult for students to learn when the student:teacher ratio is that high! Avon must reduce the per capita expenditure on legal fees which are the highest in our county and the entire Northeast Ohio region. Over the past three years the current School Board spent more than $366,000 on legal fees without any explanation why or how these funds were spent. Taxpayers and parents have a right to know how their funds are being spent! We must assist our student with college planning resources. This includes helping students choose which college is the best “fit” for them, how the college admission process works, how to “market’ yourself in the admission process, and most importantly, how to plan to pay for college without relying on student loans. This includes offering college courses at the high school for students to earn college credit before graduating from high school. There must be restoration of extracurricular activities and development of new programs to give students experience in leadership opportunities.
What would you like to accomplish if elected?
I would like to assess all resources available to the Avon schools and make sure we get the most out of all resources for the students. I would like to implement the new state curriculum standards as quickly as possible. I would like to have students eligible to take advantage of the postsecondary option to earn college credits by bringing a college or university to teach classes at the high school. I would like to assess Avon graduates to see how they fare in college, especially English and Mathematics. I would like to have our students have many leadership, career and extra-curricular opportunities as possible.
How do you think Internet technology will impact government services?
Concerning technology and education, most textbooks know have an online component accessible from the publisher. This is pretty standard now in higher education, and we need to introduce students to "distance learning" methods before they graduate.
What one bit of information do people not normally know about you?
I have lost 75 pounds and ran the 2005 Cleveland Half Marathon.