1. Why are you the best candidate for this office?

    - Because I have the resources and contacts to get our goals accomplished. With my children attending public schools, I've got a vested interest. I also have the drive and determination to make the schools better not because I want to but because we have to.

 

2. What are your top priorities?

    - End the self evaluations for school board members, this a real thing.

    - Get straight answers about the Un-mandated fund balance.

    - Work to move schools out of Title 1 status.

    - Move to have all meetings on podcast.

    - Work with others on the school board to actually accomplish goals. I'm not talking about a rubber stamp either though.

 

3. How will you ensure that all schools in Hamilton County are funded equitably?

    -Kids in my district go to schools in several different districts, so I have to anyways.

    -Again, I want to start by moving schools away from Title 1 status. That must be priority of obvious and some not so obvious reasons. Your principals are typically rotated out every three years creating a lack of continuity for teachers. Constantly learning a new "system" that the new principal brings makes it a constant battle. It is bad for moral. It's like they're pushing boulders up a hill to start over again every three years.

 

4. What is your knowledge and position regarding:         

a. Charter Schools:

    -I'd like to see all of our schools modeled after charter schools. They're the most successful, there's no question about it. I feel that all students in the county, regardless of race, creed or socio-economic factors deserves that level of education.

 

b. Virtual schools

    -I fell that there is good and bad in Virtual schools. In the past, I've heard of complaints about about technical issues. Virtual schools have a wide range of applications.

 

c. School vouchers

    -No, no, no. This takes away from public school funding.

 

5. What is your knowledge of the Community Schools movement? How could this concept be implemented in schools in your district? How do you think this model would affect student student achievement?

    -My knowledge is currently limited. However, I do like aspects of it. I can see an obvious benefit for inner city youth. This doesn't apply to my schools, as they're typically rural areas. However, I'll be a County School board member, not just District 1. Kids in my district currently attend schools all over the county. Only focusing on District 1 schools doesn't adequately represent all of my constituents. Children unsupervised is a huge problem in communities. It leads to delinquency and other issues. The school is a much better solution than a Rec Center. Students would be more apt to finish any homework or seek assistance with questions at that time. Student achievement would obviously go up.

 

6. What is your position on the increased emphasis on Career and Technical Education (CTE) curriculum in Hamilton County? Do you support or oppose the construction of a centrally located career and technical high school?

     -I see good and bad here. I know I'm our district, Sequoyah High School and Soddy Daisy High school both had CAD classes at one time. Some students are forced into classes like this. There's not a high demand in the Chattanooga area for those skills without a college degree attached, so why the emphasis? Emphasizing on technical classes that can actually be used would be a top priority. I'd also like to see more accountability from these technical programs. Some of them are hangout sessions. I feel like students that want to learn a trade should also be held to the same standards as regular school students. I'd really have to look at the logistical aspects of a centrally located technical high school before rendering an opinion. I would be interested in having one single school as opposed to several.

 

7. What is your position on the Professional Educators Collaborative Conferencing Act (PECCA) of 2011 and its impact on teachers in Hamilton County? Do you support or oppose school board members being included on the Collaborative Conferencing Team?

    - I think it does exactly what it was designed to do. It keeps teachers from organizing effectively. The law is what it is, we can do little as school board members to affect that. What I can say is that the if I am there, teachers be listened to. I understand their frustrations, I'm married to a teacher

 

8. How will you be transparent and accountable in your position as a member of the Board of Education?

    - The public absolutely needs video recordings. Podcasts are a wonderful idea. I will visit schools regularly, not just the ones I oversee. I will return phone calls in a timely manner.

 

9. How will you work with HCEA in your role as a member of the Board of Education?

    - I'll work hand in hand with HCEA. The voice of our teacher's are not being heard currently; I plan to fix that.

 

10. If HCEA-FCPE makes a recommendation to support your candidacy. What support might you request from us?

     - Financial support along with a public endorsement. A little bit of money will go a long way with helping pass along our message. We have to work as a team to get me elected to the board. You'll always know where I stand, there won't be any grey area.