Date: Sun, 27 Jul 2008 21:58:06 -0400
From: Gene Galin
Subject: First of the BOE Candidate questionnaires
The first of the Board of Education questionnaires came out a couple of weeks ago. This one is from the Chatham Coalition. Candidate responses are due back on Monday, July 28. I will be posting my responses on my campaign web site galinforschoolboard.com later this week.
Gene
2008 School Board Candidate Questionnaire
1. What do you see as the most pressing needs for the Chatham County Schools and what steps would you recommend to address these needs?
2. What mechanisms for incorporating parents’ and teachers’ input into school decision-making would you support? Please be specific.
3. Chatham is faced with aging schools that need to be updated and renovated. Additionally, new schools must be built to accommodate unprecedented growth in eastern Chatham. How will you determine funding priorities, given that the Board of Commissioners has limited available funding?
4. Teacher retention continues to be a problem for the Chatham County Schools. Not only does turnover hurt our children, but also it increases costs through the need to hire and train new teachers. If elected to the BOE, what steps will you take to attract and retain talented teachers?
5. What steps will you take to continue to improve diversity in administrative and instructional positions?
6. In recent years there has been much turmoil and turnover in the Superintendent’s Office. What would you do to reduce the turmoil?
7. Chatham has experienced dramatic population growth with most growth in the North East of the County. The latest census data shows that Chatham population has grown from 49,000 in 2000 to 61,000 in the 2008 Census Department estimate. What challenges does this bring to the county regarding the school board and school districts? What criteria would you use to address these challenges?
8. Do you favor the Board of Education electing board members by the present system of at large voting or would you like to move to a district only voting system? Please explain why you support or do not support this proposal.
9. What are new technologies and new ways that technology can be used to improve education in the schools?
10. Chatham County has been criticized for not providing the resources necessary for the at-risk students or students with special needs. How would you ensure that Chatham implements the state mandate to develop Personal Education Plans for at-risk students? What will you do to ensure that these students receive the education, resources, and attention necessary for their success?
11. While we are faced with some schools that are overcrowded, other schools have not reached capacity. Do you support re-drawing the school district lines so that school facilities are better utilized? What should the BOE consider in redrawing the school boundaries? How does the high cost of fuel enter into your decision-making?
12. Describe the process that you would use for designing and locating (e.g. land banking) new county schools?
13. Do you think the public schools should teach intelligent design?
14. Should sex education in the schools go beyond abstinence only?
15. Do you support tax-funded vouchers to pay tuition of Chatham students in private schools of their choice?
16. Should the School Board and County Recreation Department work together to design school facilities so that they get dual use as part of a county park system?
17. If the Chatham Coalition endorses you and citizens challenge you about this endorsement, how will you publicly respond to this challenge?
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