Voters' Guide for 2008 Elections

Without a doubt, the greatest challenge is recruiting and retaining quality teachers for the classroom. The key to education is the relationship between the teacher and the students in the teacher’s classroom. Over the last twenty years, we have brought technology to the classroom, which is extremely valuable; however, I believe a small amount of that technology comes through if we do not have an engaged teacher. I also see funding for renovations and new construction as a challenge for the members elected in November 2008. This will continue to be a challenge with the current economic downturn.

To tie in with question one, competitive salaries for all employees are important. I believe dollars should continue to be allocated to the Barbara Ingram School for Performing Arts on South Potomac Street. I believe, at this point in time, the Board of Education has a very frugal budget. One area that has been traditionally cut in lean times is school building maintenance; and when it has been cut, it has always come back to haunt us in later years.

I was a member of a redistricting committee twenty years ago in 1987-1988 and learned firsthand there are no easy answers. Citizens traditionally do not like change. I believe that the first students who should attend a new school are those who reside geographically closest to the school. Also, any redistricting committee is not fulfilling its duties if it does not examine the level of overcrowding in other schools.

In my opinion magnet schools should be for high-achieving students; if they are not the home of high-achieving students, they become just another classroom. The policy in Washington County, as I understand it, is to test students to determine if they qualify for a specific magnet program. Only those who score the baseline score should be admitted to a magnet. Information I have tells me this policy is not strictly adhered to in Washington County.

Continue to have only one entrance to the school building open during school hours. I do not believe this policy is being practiced at all schools. Also, train teachers and other school employees in order that they are prepared for contingences that could arise. Our school system is very similar to many of the school systems where serious incidents have occurred. We cannot ask employees and students to operate in a climate of fear; however, all must be vigilant.

I believe the Pre-K curriculum is here to stay, and I also believe the public schools should be responsible for developing the programming for students of that age. At the same time, I feel we need to be careful and try not to present those in Pre-K a first-grade curriculum unless the student is gifted. Child experts will state that there is a real need for the brain to develop at its own speed, therefore allowing children time to be children.