AJC.com > Talk of the town > Archives > 2008 > June > 16 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWhat would you ask Clayton County school board candidates?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
On Sunday, June 22, the AJC and WSB-TV Channel 2 Action News will sponsor a community forum for Clayton County school board candidates, moderated by AJC Editorial Page Editor Cynthia Tucker. Forum information
The event will be held from 5-7 p.m. at the Clayton State University Center for Continuing Education.
If you have a question that you’d like to ask the candidates, submit it here and we’ll consider it for the forum. Your question may also be posted on this blog.
Permalink | Comments (45) | Categories: claytonforum
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Shirley A. White
June 16, 2008 8:01 AM | Link to this
this text will be bolded = this text will be bolded
Why do you want to serve on the Clayton County School Board and how do you think you can improve the school system?
By Tell the Truth
June 16, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this
Are you affilated with or being endorsed by any special interest groups or lobbying organizations?
By Atlanta Pearl Girl
June 16, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this
Are you ‘QUALIFIED????’
What is the outcome of this board?
What will ‘you’ personally DO to resolve these issues????/
By Greg
June 16, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this
What are the qualities it takes to be a effective school board member and what in your past has enabled you to utiliize these qualities to the fullest.
By say what?
June 16, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
Outside of PTA meetings and events, and parent teacher conferences, name other ways for Clayton County Schools to increase parental involvement?
By Concerned Parent and Homeowner
June 16, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
Do you have any school aged children? If so, are they enrolled in Clayton County Public Schools?
By Mary
June 16, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
Too many decisions about everyday practices and curriculum guidelines are made soley by people out of touch with teaching. How would you, as a school board member, ensure that school-based educators’ voices are heard in decisions that affect how they work with Clayton County students?
By Concerned Citizen and Teacher
June 16, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
Name three things that you plan to do to help save accreditation and create a more positive image of the school system and the community. Please be specific.
By Randy
June 16, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
Are you currently, or have you ever been a member of a teacher’s union?
By Prayer Changes Things
June 16, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this
Are you willing and able to put your personal agendas aside to serve for the greater good of the students and the community? Would you be willing to sign an ethics agreement that will immediately remove you from the board if you are found guilty of any misconduct?
By Gerald
June 16, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
Will you open Clayton County up for charter schools?
By Old School Al
June 16, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
In light of the situation with the current board, are you willing to serve on a board that acts in accordance with SACS standards? In other words, are you willing to work with other board members to select and empower a qualified superintendent and then STAY OUT of the day to day activities of the system?
What ideas do you have (other than raising property taxes) that will effectively increase the operating budget for the system that will allow additional funding for technology, staff development, capital improvements, and curriculum reinforcement?
By Jack ATL
June 16, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
What CRCT goals do you have for each year you are in office? We know that the drop out rate is totally unacceptable. What is your plan — per year — to increase the rate, and what is your graduation rate goal per year for the period you are in office?
By Murph
June 16, 2008 12:41 PM | Link to this
Are you committed to using email/blogs/e-newsletter, your own district website etc. to engage the constituents that do not come to board meetings for whatever reasons? Would you actively pursue email addresses from constituents for this purpose?
By formerclaytonemployee
June 16, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge for CCPS, after the accreditation has been regained? What will be the salvation for CCPS students and teachers?
By lil
June 16, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
What system will you implement to be sure there are steps of discipline in place to address ethical misconduct by school board members? What committee will preform periodical checks to be sure this plan is effective.?
By Vivian
June 16, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
Why should I vote for you?
Have you ever served on a school board?
Will you listen to community when it comes to voting on issues that effects the entire school district? ie hiring the next superintdent
By D
June 16, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
What specific plan(s) have you developed to:
First address the issue of accredidation.
Second address the discrepancy between clasroom grades and standardized test grades ie. CRCT, SAT and Graduation Tests. How do you have honor roll students that can’t pass these tests?
Third How will you develop and maintain a working relationship with fellow school board members, teachers,students parents and the community.
Fourth What benchmarks to you have in place to determine when you have met your goals?
Fifth What is your communication plan? How will information be disseminated? What skills do you have in negotiation and conflict resolution?
By claytonmom
June 16, 2008 2:33 PM | Link to this
What do you believe is the proper procedure for the citizens to communicate with the BOE? Under what circumstances should the BOE meet behind closed doors?
By WTF?
June 16, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
How long have you lived in Clayton County?
Do you own property in Clayton County, or are you renting?
By Tracey
June 16, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
Besides working for CCPS, What Have you done in the Clayton County schools?
By The Bell Tolls
June 16, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
I hope whoever is doing the screening uses the questions presented here - good ones. I have a few more: 1) Have you ever been convicted of a crime? 2) What makes you think you are a qualified candidate?
3)If you see behavior in other board members that has a negative impact on CCPS, what would be your plan of action?
By Carl
June 16, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this
What experience have you had in dealing specifically with a situation of this magnitude. Compare that to Clayton County’s situation. How can you translate that experience into your position with the school board?
By Craig
June 16, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this
Do you have a degree, if not, how can you govern a body of educators without an education yourself?
By Attn: Clayton Parents
June 16, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
With 3,000+ documented fights and the system’s own surveys mentioning lack of administrative support for discipline a key reason for leaving, what specific steps will you take to maintain the integrity of the learning environment through increasing administrative support for teachers in matters of discipline?
PS To those who will “approve” the questions, both the stats on the documented fights and the info on the system’s own surveys come from YOUR newspaper.
By Rev.IKE
June 16, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
What do you think the qualifications for this position should be? How do you feel about debating your opponents in a public forum? Will you provide the voters & newspapers with a resume?
By Leslie
June 16, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
The school board has to manage a sizeable budget, somewhere in the neighbrhood of 500 million dollars according to some reports. What is your experience with balancing a budget of this size? What specific experience do you have in your professional background that makes you qualified to make financial decisions of this magnitude? And, what innovative ideas will you bring to the table that will shine a light on our wonderful students?
By Question
June 16, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this
Where did the current Board fail, and what should you and a “new” board do different?
By CCPS Teacher
June 16, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this
Are you a member of MACE or a supporter of John Trotter? I noticed that several groups have endorsed MACE/Trotter candidates.
What will you do to encourage the current BOE members to resign? That is something SACS said was necessary but it has not happened yet.
By Attn: Clayton Parents
June 16, 2008 6:48 PM | Link to this
Are you a member of CCEA, or a supporter of CCEA President Sid Chapman? Since CCEA has endorsed several candidates, will you be able to distance yourself from their influence, if you philosophically disagree with them on an education issue?
By VJM
June 16, 2008 8:22 PM | Link to this
After successful completion of designated training will you apply it while serving on the board?
How will you handle disagreements with fellow board members?
Will you always put the best interests of the children of Clayton County above your own?
By Stacy
June 16, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this
Are you now, or have you been in the last year, affiliated with any teacher’s union or education organization?
By liberalextremist
June 17, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this
Will you put our children first regarding the decisions that you make?
By Leslie Chavous
June 17, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this
The new superintendent has come under fire in terms of how he ws brought in. SACS says that he is not the man for the job and agree or disagree right now SACS has the power. What is your position on him being our superintendent and possibly replacing him with someone that SACS does approve of? Even if is means buying him out of his contract and selecting someone else. It seems also an issue to me that you have someone that doesn’t live in the county that they are over. Also what will you do about even restructuring his contract because as of right now he can really do anything he wants without school board approval? This current school board has given him all power.
Also what kind of incentives will you propose for teacher retention because there is no doubt that teachers, good teachers are leaving Clayton County.?
By Change is crucial
June 17, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
By Well...?
June 17, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
Will you listen to the citizens when they ask you questions at board meetings? Will you respond to their questions?
By Alphaman
June 17, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this
The strength and viablity of the local school system has a major impact on a businesses’ decision to locate in or move from a community. What are your thoughts on how the Clayton County Schools can regain the confidence of the business community so that we can attract new jobs and not loose jobs that we now have?
By Elaine Green
June 17, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
One of the major criticisms of the Clayton County School Board made by SACS is that of micromanagement. Give me an example of what you consider to be micromanagement.
By Concerned Citizen of Clayton County
June 17, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
In light of all the drama surrounding and that has evolved as a result of the malfeasance and dysfunctionality of the previous Clayton County Board, what will you do to personally and professionally ensure that history will not repeat itself, as in the county potentially being faced with losing accreditation again?
Are you willing to sign off on stricter policies of governance and ethics while residing on this board?
What type of background, experience, education, and credentials do you have to offer the citizens of this scarred county to instill in us that you should be one of the chosen ones for this board?
By do you swear to tell the truth...
June 17, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this
Were you inspired to run more by the $1000 a month stipend or by a sincere desire to truly help the children of Clayton County?
By Thomas
June 18, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
What are the educational qualifications of the candidates. What degrees have they obtained, in what field was the degree obtained in and what colleges did they attended. Also, has any of the candidates done any continuing education recently for professional development.
By Janice
June 18, 2008 7:31 PM | Link to this
Name 3 ways to cut existing expenses and to what specific initiatives you would redirect those funds in order to improve the school system.
By Jean Wallin
June 18, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this
Name any experience you have had working within a group where the majority rules and the group must speak with one voice. Did that experience include knowing Roberts Rules of Order or other manuales for running meetings?
By Sport
June 19, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
What education level have you completed?
By Concerned Parent
June 19, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this
As a member of the board, will you make sure there are enough school books for each child? Will you take blame for any wrong doing? Are you doing this for the GOOD of the Children or for yourself? Remember, these young people are our future!