Experience: Walking the Talk
Education
Education is the key to our children's future as well as all citizens of District 7. Investment in quality education at all levels including higher education is critical.
In order for schools to do a good job of preparing young people and non- traditional students to succeed as citizens and as worker, we need to invest in them. Schools need to continually identify new curricula and teaching methods, help administrators and teachers improve knowledge and skills, keep facilities in good shape, and keep pace with technological innovations.
Carol's experience as a parent, a school board member with specific work in strategic planning and budgeting, and as a legislator has provided positive opportunities in working through many education issues. As schools have been forced to do more with less, it becomes an even more critical issue for citizens to face with both their time and tax dollars.
Health Care
Health care areas of affordability, accessibility, and preventative care are critically important. Prevention or early detection and identification of health problems is a special concern and both can lead to better quality of life and dollar savings in the long run.
It is important for all age groups to have adequate care. In her first legislative term Carol served on the South Dakota Health and Human Services committee and worked with legislation affecting current and future health issues. She has also served as the Director of Healthcare, Nutrition and Food Safety for CBM Food Service and as the SDSU Cooperative Extension Service state-wide Specialist for Nutrition, Health and Food Safety. Carol's experiences have provided opportunities to work directly with individual South Dakotans as well as health care professionals and public policy makers on healthcare issues.
Agriculture
Agriculture as our #1 base industry faces struggles with weather, prices, family farm issues, and value added product development. Carol grew up on the family farm and has a deep personal and professional appreciation for agriculture.
The continued development of value added promotion and research is crucial to assisting the agriculture industry in moving ahead in South Dakota. Value-added research is important to developing future agricultural practices and products to enhance our South Dakota economy. Carol worked with the Distiller's Dried Grain project while at SDSU and also received the Friend of Ethanol Award during her term in the Legislature.
Carol served on the Agriculture and Natural Resources committee during her first term in the Legislature. She co-sponsored House and Senate bills affecting both agriculture and natural resources as well as sponsoring a bill affecting the SD locally grown wine industry. Direct agricultural experience will be important as the industry moves into the future.
Do you have an issue that you would like to see discussed in this forum? Contact Carol Pitts at carol@carolpitts2006.com