Mark Fredrick: What sets me apart [from other STRS Board candidates]; Vitae

STRS

2006 Board Candidate

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Mark Fredrick

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WHAT SETS ME APART

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As a Candidate for the STRS Board active member seat

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Is that I have worked in the largest public school system in the state of Ohio. I have also taught in a small private parochial school for two years. I have seen education from a diverse perspective throughout my career. The last twenty-five years teaching in Cleveland has taught me plenty.

I have continued to provide leadership for my students and colleagues. It is not something that just occurred to me recently. It has been a continued working, growing, and learning throughout my career. New problems arise and are resolved in on-going succession. In looking over the bigger picture and issues that affect our state’s teachers and education, we can see the results of the NCLB Act, charter schools drain on public schools, legal battles concerning statewide school funding, and changes in our teachers retirement system. As I approach the retirement era, it becomes far more meaningful that it be fully funded and provide quality, affordable health care. The health care should become a dedicated revenue stream co-paid by the teacher at 2-1/2% and the same from employers.

Guaranteed, secured pension funds and affordable health care are the two main issues of my candidacy. Yet we must never forget the past practices and use of our funds, or allow repetition.

I have witness bloated bureaucracy, assistants to assistant, wanton waste, and now severe cuts, lay-offs, RIFS, and transfers as well as school building closings.

I entered into the teaching profession knowing that wages would be somewhat less than the earnings in other professions or endeavors. Yet I also felt teaching was a secure career that would not move to the Sun Belt, or be outsourced overseas. The school calendar and retirement system offset the wages. Never let those golden years become tarnished by an inadequate retirement system. We’re counting on our STRS pension and affordable health care to be there when we retire.

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Vitae:

Mark Fredrick

6112 West Smith Road

Medina, OH 44256-8949

330.722.6484

gafarm2@msn.com

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Undergraduate: (1971-1975) John Carroll University

B.A. University Heights, OH 44118

Major: English, Minor: German

Prelaw Program Track w/background in Economics and

Accounting

Graduate: (1975-1980) John Carroll University

M.Ed. University Heights, OH 44118

Professional Experience: Cleveland Municipal School District

1989 - Present Max S. Hayes Vocational High

English Grades 9-12

1986-1989 East High School

English Grades 9-12

1985-1986 Patrick Henry Junior High

1983-1985 Audubon Junior High

1980-1983 Collinwood High School

Lakewood, Ohio

1977- 1980 Saint Augustine Academy

Professional Duties: English Department Head, Max S. Hayes

Chapter Chair, Cleveland Teachers Union

Union Conference Committee

Elected Member of CTU Nominations & Elections Comm.

Community Service and Other Interests: Ohio Department of Agriculture Licensed Poultry Blood Tester

4-H Advisor and Judge: Judge Poultry, Rabbits,

Cats, Hogs

American Bantam Assoc. Dist. Representative For

Ohio and Kentucky

Saint Francis Xavier Church: Adopt-A-Plot Coordinator, Sunday Collection Counter

Medina County The Ohio State University Master

Gardener (past)

Owner/Operator of Beef & Exhibition Poultry Farm