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Robert B. Sklaroff, M.D.
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This is a summary of my views regarding the Abington School System:
Robert B. Sklaroff, M.D., F.A.C.P. Medical Oncology/Hematology Telephone: (215) 663-8200 Facsimile: (215) 663-8388 Medical Arts Building - Suite # E-Fax: (215) 689-2461 50 East Township Line Road rsklaroff@comcast.net Elkins Park, PA 19027-2253 http://www.doctor-bob.biz/rsklaroff
re: Abington School Board
Dear Primary Voter:
I am a candidate for membership on the Abington School Board (and have “cross-filed,” so that I will appear both as a Republican and as a Democrat) because independent thinking is needed. Through my medical-political career, I have “Learned by Doing”; as a result, for example, litigation I filed more than a decade ago to break-up the Blue Cross health insurance monopoly (to make the Blues compete) currently pends before Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court.
These efforts were chronicled in The Philadelphia Inquirer on September 1, 1999 (focused on the nationwide tobacco litigation settlement) and on April 16, 2007 (focused on the Blues, both Highmark and Independence) [http://www.doctor-bob.biz/AA-Blues/InqyBios/InqyBios.htm].
My educational mantra expands this outcome-driven view: The best student is the best teacher. American youth must discover how to instruct themselves how to pursue lifelong study. They must integrate memorization and analysis, test-preparation and problem-solving.
Abington can absorb state-level cutbacks and unfunded-mandates because infrastructure needs are minimal; most of the physical-plants have been constructed (elementary and middle schools) or reconstructed (junior and senior high schools). In addition, businesses should be enticed to “Adopt-a-School” as a reflection of their self-images within the local community, just as they traditionally have sponsored Little League teams. The win-win result would include recognition by Abington’s children of the need to ponder how to contribute their talents to help society. This will help them develop sufficient self-confidence to apply knowledge in a practical way, preparing them for the Information Age, and for a job market impacted by global competition.
Measures of success must be both objective (“No-Child-Left-Behind” standardized criteria) and subjective (evidencing respect for and personal senses of patriotism/morality, justice/charity, community/liberty, individualism/self-respect). Just as drivers need street signs and maps, reliable, accessible, validated, reproducible tests of learning performance must be used to ensure that programs accomplish the intended results. As a physician-scientist, I routinely evaluate the consequences of interventions in the real-world. If spending increases—adjusted for inflation—outpace growth in the student population, there must be evidence that they effect their education. I’ll vigorously support programs that advance these goals, always refocusing on core-curriculum. Abington has achieved success [http://www.rockledgeborough.org/abington_sd_update.pdf], but the School District must reinvent itself, also, to develop its Adult School in this new millennium.
The School Board must ensure that its contribution to Channel 43 programming includes both the “educational” (gleaned from teachers and web-sources) and the “avocational” (sports events). Also, all School Board meetings should be aired (including those of its working-committees).
Regarding current legislative controversies, I feel that binding arbitration is unconstitutional [http://www.stopteacherstrikes.org/index.php?pr=Binding_Arbitration] and that we need true property-tax relief [http://www.psba.org/issues-research/propertytaxrelief-OPED101405.asp].
While deeply enmeshed in the anti-tobacco movement since 1970s, I have experienced the interaction of public health and bare-knuckle politics. While President of Pennsylvania Society of Internal Medicine in the 1990s, I learned the difference between simply adopting policies and implementing interventions that might truly make a difference for both patients and physicians.
My web-site [http://www.doctor-bob.biz] shows I am principled, realistic, and hard-working. Many complain, but I act. And I follow-through, even if others find “a kitchen growing too hot.”
Thanks for considering my candidacy.
Sincerely,
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To contact me--Robert B. Sklaroff, M.D.--just send an e-mail (rsklaroff@comcast.net).
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