Red Clay School Board Candidate Eric Randolph Replies To My Questions

Mr. Randolph is the first of four candidates to reply.  I have received an email from a second candidate promising an answer shortly.  I have no reply from the remaining two candidates.

Eric Randolph’s answers:

1) Why are you running for school board, and what are the top three things you’d like to accomplish during your term?

-I strongly believe that board of education members have one of the most important positions in the community…helping plan the education of our children. School board policies affect the lives of students and their parents, the livelihoods of those the district employs and, to great extent, the economic well-being of the community. Ultimately the board of education sets the policies by which the school district operates. I have identified four (among many) board member responsibilities I believe are the most important aspects of policy setting in Red Clay today. First, we must set high academic excellence standards for ALL students through equitable distribution of resources and programming within each school building, so every Red Clay school is a good “choice” for parents. We can accomplish this by targeting our underperforming schools and installing attractive programs and additional, appropriate resources. Second, we need to ensure that all students are challenged to maximize their intellectual, emotional and social potential in a safe, clean, and positive school environment. We can accomplish this by improving the way capital expenditures are allocated, reforming discipline policies, reducing class size, and, again, providing additional resources/programs to the schools that need it. Third, we need to do a better job hiring and retaining the best teachers and support staff available and then provide them with the resources they need to do their jobs effectively. Lastly, and most importantly to me, we need to tighten the “financial belt” at the top, hold our administrative leadership and board of education more accountable, and we need financial transparency to eliminate waste and ensure that our tax dollars are being spent wisely and equitably.

2) It has been said that Red Clay is comprised of “Have” and “Have Not” Schools.  First, do you believe this statement to be true?  Second, if you do believe the statement is true how would you address the imbalance?

-This statement is absolutely true and is one of the reasons I decided to run for a school board position. The district administration and board of education have focused on and developed a number of outstanding charter schools, magnet programs, and neighborhood schools and I applaud them. But in pursuit of their goals, the district failed to appropriately manage and support ALL of Red Clay’s schools for ALL of its students. If elected to the school board, I will work hard to make sure that every school has our attention, good programs within, appropriate resources to be successful, and a strong marketing plan…so all Red Clay “choices” are good choices for the parents and students we serve.

3) Due you think the Charter School of Wilmington should pay rent?  Why, or why not.

-Yes, Charter School of Wilmington should be paying a fair rent like other charter schools pay for their space (mortgage/rent). I support charter schools in general and appreciate the four strong charter schools we currently have in Red Clay that each serve a unique purpose. The Charter School of Wilmington is a Red Clay charter school with excellent academics, sports, and clubs. It shares a building with Cab Calloway and the two schools have a strong interdependent relationship where Cab Calloway students attend Charter classes and play on Charter sports, and Charter students take part in Cab Calloway performing arts activities. But many Charter School of Wilmington students are from out of district and their sending districts only provide local shares of funding when a student comes to CSW. They do not share in the capital improvement expenses putting a greater financial burden on Red Clay tax payers to support out of district students. A fair amount of rent is appropriate.

4) What is your view on full financial transparency in Red Clay?

-I support full financial transparency in all board of education functions. The negative consequences of the district’s 2007 financial meltdown continue to be felt today. The financial meltdown was the impetus for my forming of the Meadowood Program PTA (which my son attends as a handicapped child) because the district was reducing services to special education students solely based on financial restraints. Not only were our special needs students affected by the gross mismanagement of our tax dollars, but the entire district suffered reductions in direct services to children as well. Many of us still wonder what happened in 2007 and who is responsible, why was no one held accountable (and fired), and how can we avoid the same mistakes as we move forward? The district has made significant financial management improvements since 2007 and have developed an oversight committee (CFRC) and detailed website financial information. But were not quite there yet. We need to continue moving forward with new board members who are pro financial transparency and have no allegiance to district personnel or other board members…my only allegiance is to the students, staff, and Red Clay community.

Eric S. Randolph
Red Clay School Board Candidate
School Psychologist – Howard High School of Technology