So far Eric Randolph and Kim Williams have responded. I am still waiting to hear from Peggy Vavalla and Bill Hall.
Kim Williams’ answers:
1. Why are you running for school board, and what are the top three things you’d like to accomplish during your term?
For the last eight years I have been active as a parent, a volunteer, and a school leader and one of the main things that I have come to realize is a school board, dedicated to the needs of our children, should actually have parents sitting on the school board. I believe it is now time for parents to have a voice, parents who are familiar with the issues of the students, teachers, and parents. Being a life long resident of the area, I have seen the many changes that have taken place in our school system over the course of my lifetime. During my term I would like to accomplish the following: visit all our schools and our students during the day to become familiar with the schools and their individual needs and issues. Secondly, board members need to communicate more information to the principals, teachers, parents, and students about the decisions that are made and why they are being made. I feel that there is limited communication at this time and the residents of Red Clay do not completely understand how the board works and exactly what the board can and cannot do. In order for all of us to work together, the public needs to be aware of how these decisions are made and this includes the Red Clay district opening up communications with the board, principals, teachers, parents, and students. Lastly, make sure the taxpayers get what they pay for, the best quality workers, best quality materials, and the best quality jobs for the maintenance and improvements that the trades perform in our many, many schools and offices. In my twelve years with an electrical contractor, I have seen on many occasions you truly get what you pay for when you try to save money by not hiring the most qualified people to perform projects. Who do you hire to do work at your homes where your children live, the cheapest or the most qualified people? I think our students deserve the same.
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 address the imbalance.
I do believe the above statement is true and I would address this by visiting all schools and talking with staff to see for myself what the inequities are and report back to the board. I feel that until board members visit our schools and speak to the principals, teachers, parents, and students they can never truly, fully understand the issues that affect our schools and our students. I do not understand how our board operates in the best interest of our schools when they don’t step foot inside them. They need to go during the day so they can see for themselves, go and speak to the teachers one-on-one, have lunch with the students and ask them about their school; this is the only way you are going to get to know the schools in Red Clay and truly see the inequities. I have been visiting some schools over the last month and there are inequities in the schools in Red Clay and we need to change this so that all schools have what they need so our children will all succeed.
3. Due you think the Charter School of Wilmington should pay rent? Why, or why not.
Yes, Charter School of Wilmington should pay rent. All of Red Clay Charters have their own buildings and do not depend on Red Clay to house them. There are three great programs with long waiting lists housed in one building, Cab Calloway middle and high school and Wilmington Charter. Forcing all three programs into one building does a disservice to all the students especially to the middle school Cab Calloway students. These students are not guaranteed a spot for high school. How do you tell a child that there is not enough room in high school for them knowing Charter School of Wilmington pays only a $1 per year for rent? I will support Charter School of Wilmington paying fair market value for the space that they use.
4. What is your view on full financial transparency in Red Clay?
With Governor Markell announcing on May 7, 2009, we will be able to go online to see how our money is spent, we are moving in the right direction to full transparency. The online checkbook will be up and running on July 30, 2009 and we will be able to view expenditures made by the state and the school districts. I am for opening the books, taxpayers want to see how their hard earned money is being spent.