School board at large candidates respond

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July 11, 2010

Dalton Daily Citizen

DALTON — What changes or improvements do you want to see in Murray County Schools? How will you implement those changes?

Kevin Henry: Our school system needs strict accountability for addressing students with disciplinary issues. Each year we read in the newspaper or hear about local problems in the school system. Fighting, bullying or harassing should be stopped at the lowest level possible before it escalates into physical violence. Correctly documenting the issue and explaining this to the offending student can correct most problems at the lowest level, and provide a paper trail of repeat offenders.

Jackie Rogers: After speaking to many citizens of Murray County, I continue to hear that the greatest concern is a lack of communication. Parents and teachers would like to be made aware of the agenda for each board meeting well in advance. I feel this would provide opportunities for parents and teachers to be scheduled in a timely manner on the agenda at upcoming meetings. It is important that we remember the bottom line here is our children. In order to offer the best education for our students and make the best decisions possible in their behalf, parents, teachers, board members and school system administrators must work together. Parents are entrusting the Murray County school system with their most cherished assets — their children. The school board needs to be able to get input from all those with a vested interest in decisions made for our students.

The school board meeting should be posted well in advance on the county website. This gives parents and teachers ample opportunity to be placed on the agenda. It is important that parents be encouraged to come to board meetings, however, with many parents working second- and third-shift jobs, this is not always possible. I would like to suggest that the district website add a site for parents and teachers to contact board members with questions, suggestions and concerns. I would also like to see each school website to add a site for administrators to inform parents of open houses, school events and emergency situations. Parents are kept more informed and administrators get immediate feedback. This site could also be used for principals to announce to parents when they need school volunteers. This site would be used for one-way announcements that would include school calendar reminders and announce school closings due to inclement weather.

Anthony Tankersley: I want to make sure that the money that the school system has is used efficiently. Cut back on any wasted resources, go after more state-funded grants, and closely oversee all school systems spending.

What sets you apart from your opponents?

Henry: I graduated from Murray County High School in 1985. I have a four-year degree from Chapman University in business administration, along with several courses in management, personnel and budgeting. After 22 years of service, I retired in December 2007 as an officer in the United States Navy. While on active duty, I spent my last six years managing the command budget including all material assets and civilian payroll, while dealing with budget cuts and a reduced work force.

Rogers: First and foremost, I have two grandchildren in the Murray County school system. Their education and well-being is of the utmost importance to me. I want to be assured that they are offered the best education possible.

Second, my wife and both of my daughters are teachers within the system. I have personal knowledge that teachers in this system care about their students and want to see them succeed. The teachers in our schools have worked hard under difficult circumstances with the present cutbacks that have been passed from the state level down to the local level. Yet, our teachers have continued to do an excellent job as demonstrated by the recent results from the state CRCT scores where the Murray County school system scored above the stave average even after cutting the school year to 160 days.

The third thing I have to offer is that I am a certified public accountant with my own firm in Murray County. I feel that the present financial crisis in our school system requires someone with knowledge and expertise in the area of budgeting. Making financial decisions with the cutbacks that the school system is presently facing is not an easy task. I feel my years of experience as a CPA will be beneficial in this capacity.

Tankersley: I have no set agenda, I want what’s best for the students and teachers of Murray County.

The school district cut $4 million from its budget for the upcoming school year and eliminated dozens of jobs. Also, school districts across the state continue to see state funding cuts year after year. What will you do to ensure taxpayer money is used as efficiently as possible?

Henry: In order to deal with the upcoming financial plan, we must analyze and evaluate the current “job descriptions” for each position, and determine any redundancies, shortcomings or obsolete duties in them. We must ensure that everyone in the school system understands their current job description, and that they are fully implementing it. We can evaluate the use of current technology and how it can be utilized for each job description. We can then prioritize and implement the changes needed to cut waste and improve efficiency while maintaining the high standards we have set for our students.

Rogers: The top priority has to be our children. Losing teaching positions affects the education our students receive. A deep cut like the one we are experiencing requires us to learn to do more with less, but we can’t afford to lose any more teachers. Solutions to the present budget crisis will not come quickly or easily. This will take time. It is important that the entire community work together toward this goal. Taxpayers need to feel they have a voice in decisions made at the local school board level.

I think we need to look at our school budget and make sure each teacher has the tools they need to teach the curriculum. As a business person, I can’t do my best work if I don’t have the tools to do that work. The latest budget cuts leave teachers concerned about the availability of funds for classroom supplies needed for instruction. The main focus of the teachers in our system needs to be the education of the students. They do not need to also be worried about whether they will have the supplies they need to do the job.

Tankersley: We will closely oversee all spending, and use our local resources to the fullest extent.

Under what conditions would you consider raising property taxes?

Henry: No one wants to sacrifice our students’ education over budgeting cuts. This is why I believe that with the help and support of our community we can work together to reutilize available assets, and redistribute existing resources in order to meet the current budget. I know that no one wants to pay higher property taxes, and I believe that we must first explore all other viable options, and then only as a last resort, should we even consider it.

Rogers: I would like to say none. However, this economy is affecting everyone. It would be hard to raise property taxes on folks that have already been affected by the elimination of homestead exemption. Couple that with either a total loss of jobs, reduction in pay or time available to work (i.e. overtime), and property taxes become un-payable and or uncollectible. But the board at some point cannot make cuts to the point that the students’ education suffers. So, I cannot imagine voting to raise property taxes but never say never.

Tankersley: Only to save additional school system jobs, we are down to minimum resources now. The local board of education could ask the voters to approve issuance of general obligation bonds to be repaid from property tax revenues.

Voters in 2006 supported issuing more bonds and paying for more projects than the current five-year education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) will collect. How will you address this situation?

Henry: A lot has changed in our local economy since 2006. There are fewer jobs and higher unemployment. Unfortunately, we still need revenue to fund the operation and general upkeep of our schools. I believe that the issue of SPLOST and bonds should be revisited to see which one or both would better serve our community. Before doing so, we must thoroughly re-examine our budget and try to prevent this from happening in the first place.

Rogers: Most, if not all, projects will have contracts requiring the work be performed and paid for. We first would look to see if there are amenities that could be cut or reduced. There may not be that option to make changes but any fluff should be cut first before any other avenues are to be considered. I guess what I’m saying is we don’t have to have a Lexus when the Toyota will suffice very well. Secondly, the voters would have to decide to renew or extend the SPLOST time frame. If the economy picks up, then of course more SPLOST money will come in, but obviously this cannot be counted upon. Lastly, more cuts from other expenditures.

Tankersley: We will have to cut back on any spending that is deemed unnecessary. We could vote for a SPLOST of 1 percent which could be used to increase the homestead exemption for property taxes. The SPLOST could be used to pay off or construct capital projects, thereby saving property owners the tax burden. We also have the option to use ad valorem tax revenues levied for the maintenance and operation of schools to fund capital improvement projects.