MCCSC School Board races will be on November's ballot
Four seats on the MCCSC Board of Trustees are up for election this fall, and there are three contested races. No matter where you live in MCCSC's attendance area, you can vote for each of these seats.
The League of Women Voters held a candidate forum on Thursday, September 29, at the Monroe County Public Library. The complete footage of this event is available here through Community Access Television. Notes from that forum (a rough attempt at a transcript) follow:
MCCSC School Board Candidate Forum, 9/29/2016
District 2: Jim Billingsley and Sue Wanzer
District 4: Cathy Fuentes-Rohwer and Jim Shackelford
District 6: Lois Sabo-Skelton and Marty Spechler
2 minutes for opening statements, 1 minute to respond to questions, 1 in conclusion
Opening statements:
Jim Billingsley, District 2. Have two adult children and 6th grader. BS in Mechanical Engineering. VP of Sewer District. Served on board of Lighthouse Christian.
--need to refocus mission onto student, sound teaching
--need to resist liberal special interest groups and focus on the academic wellbeing of all students
I am gravely concerned about encroachment of federal mandates on schools. NCLB, Common Core and now dangerous voyeurism mandate to allow boys to use girls’ showers. I want to extricate schools from their harmful effects.
Sue Wanzer, District 2. Proud and humbled to run for reelection. Running partly on past record and partly…I believe in public education as atrue equalizer.
Record: access and equity. Wants safe, welcoming environment for all. Proposed partner benefits for staff (LGBT), wanted staff to pay premiums in fairer way, so that lowest paid were not paying highest premiums, and board adopted this.
Will continue to oppose ISTEP testing, oppose using state tax money for….
Wants to explore additional recess additional, redistricting, and mitigating the effects of poverty.
Cathy Fuentes-Rohwer: Mom of four (two current MCCSC students), school library volunteer, involved with first referendum campaign. Am chairperson of the Indiana Coalition for Public Education of Monroe County. Public schools are the heart of our community. We need engagement. We need processes by which we can ensure that all voices are heard: parents, teachers, and kids themselves. State determines school success by using a test, but the test should not be sole focus. We want all children to learn what won’t be tested: creativity, critical thinking, citizenship, compassion.
Jim Shackelford: Entered race because no candidate speaks about socially accepted bad trends. No one is mentioning psychiatric drugs and labels. In every district in the nation, superintendent and board are mum on this subject. I am less articulate and polished than rest. Need to lead. Our society works well with top-down leadership. We need true leadership. Socially accepted wrongs have a way of staying in place. Agree with superintendent when she’s right, disagree when she’s wrong. Deep respect for everyone in Monroe County. I don’t network. I interact in substantive ways.
Sabo-Skelton: Thanks to League of Women Voters. Am member of MCCSC board, running for 4th term. Consistency and continuity of school board results in success. Elementary schools have diverse curriculum. Grandview prototype, Fairview is an arts model that will be model for state and nation. Hoosier Hills Vocational School serves students well. Public schools today are being sold out to privatization—charters and vouchers. You have no say over what that school does. I will continue to fight for real public schools.
Mary Spechler: retired professor of economics. Have 2 adult children who attended Monroe County public schools and IU. Was member of Bloomington City Council, has been precinct chairman for about 20 years. Would like to serve again on MCCSC school board. What have I accomplished? We increased demographic base for Fairview school by establishing new neighborhood. Enjoy dealing with other people, will speak up when I think there is wrong. School board has to work through consensus and agreement.
Questions from panel:
Question 1: There is a consistent difference in measured learning between some of our elementary schools. How do we ensure equity and opportunity for every child?
Jim Billingsly: Let’s take a good hard look at the schools that are doing well and import that knowledge and those techniques. Support that teachers get may be lacking in schools that don’t do well. Federal mandates constrain teachers. If we remove these shackles, we will see improvement and results.
Wanzer: I hear 2 questions. Way our schools are measured is false: ISTEP test was never meant to grade a school. We have schools with low grades who are doing well. We have lowered class sizes at Fairview. We need to look at rural schools with poverty, too.
Fuentes-Rohwer: Agree with Sue about misuse of standardized testing. Highest correlation is economic background. We are stigmatizing children in poverty. It concerns me when the kids under pressure to perform are not getting as much gym, art, recess. Those things make kids happy to go to school.
Shackelford: We have to think what we think about our schools. We know which ones do or don’t have those problems. From my experience, principals make a big difference. I have known principals who turned around low income schools, schools in black neighborhoods, etc., that everyone said were not possible [to turn around].
Sabo Skelton: You look at poverty levels. Grades are lower in poor sections. In MCCSC we have worked very carefully in each one of our elementary schools. Each one is becoming specialized. We are approaching each school and giving it what it needs.
Spechler: Reject the idea that some of our schools are better than other schools. True test is how far schools take kids from where they are to where they could be. We have to help them do their proper job. Problem of American schools is poverty and segregation. Wants to increase financial ability of board to give transportation and assistance.
Question #2. What role do you see for technology in schools?
Wanzer: When our superintendent came 6 years ago, our technology was lacking. She has helped us build it up to a technology for communication. It is another advancement in our tools. Amazing to see the individualized learning that one teacher can provide for classroom of kids.
Fuentes-Rohwer: It’s not simple one way or another. When we introduced the tehnology, we need to know the purpose, how we were going to evaluate the program. I want to know how much screen time my kids are getting. My child gets to use technology to go deep, while others might have a online worksheet, so we need to look at essence of how it’s being used.
Shackelford: I have no idea how to answer that question quickly. Have seen it from lots of different angles. Noticed that lots of math professors fervently favored chalk. I’m not convinced that there is a best way to teach, or that an instructor needs to mix technologies. I’m an outdoor person.
Sabo-Skelton: 4 years ago, we realized we were way behind. We went to work because our kids will need it in the future. Ivy Tech, business community have helped us because they realize our kids will need it in future. We’re trying to combine. Technology is part of our life whether we like it or not.
Spechler: I’ve taught many studetns. They already master the technology. What they don’t master is ability to think critically or write an essay. Technology might assist, but is not as effective as other methods. I would want us to provide the technology a teacher wants.
Billingsley: Not a fan of tablets and personal computers for elementary school heads. Knows they are needed for older students to access information. Another expensive and fatal fad. Runs risk of replacing face time with good teachers. Review of 40 independent studies: slightly lower levels of academic achievement.
Question 3. What particular school initiatives should be instituted, what issue do you think is most important for MCCSC that people may not be aware of.
Fuentes-Rowher: Without referendum funding, that would be disastrous for our school. The issue of the referendum is most important. I would like to see us have an evaluation process in place when we start a new initiative.
Shackelford: The not be aware of part—most important issue is the referendum. People need to vote for the referendum. Don’t have a good answer to second part. Like to see us examine emphasis on interscholastic sports.
Sabo Skelton: Nothing more important than referendum. We need to stay committed to preventionist and interventionist program. Has made a tremendous amount of difference. It is working.
Spechler: Agree that interventionist, preventionist programs must be supported because some of the families in our district are broken or having financial trouble. The harm that charters are having on our public schools is not fully understood by public. Public schools must admit all students.
Billingsley: 1) Flip the teacher administrator ratio back to where it used to be. 2) Introduction of Latin, proven to greatly advance reading levels. 3) Recruitment. I am a huge fan of Hillsdale, doesn’t certify teachers with ed degrees, 4) High cost and harmful effects of federal mandates.
Wanzer: Yes, wants to measure effectiveness. Wants to see us examine neighborhood school boundaries. Issue: Our teacher shortage. Too many people not going into teaching. State removed licensure.
Question 4: How would you support students in marginalized groups, for instance, LGBT, Muslim, Hispanic and black?
Shackelford: We missed one in our questions: Over 8 million kids are on psychiatric drugs. I don’t have a specific thing I can throw out to you that we need to do better.
Sabo-Skelton: We admit everyone, we take your child. We have incorporated time periods and __ where we talk about respecting each other. We promote the idea of democracy that we all are equal and should get equal respect.
Spechler: All children are equally worthy of respect. I reject idea that individual groups be identified in classroom. All these are individual matters that can be dealt with privately. All are students. You’re going to go to school with people who are going to be different than you.
Billingsley: I don’t think that identity group recognition is a healthy mindset, think it yields a victim mentality. Would like to see school take up mentality we’re all students. Kids have a way of rising to the level of our expectations.
Wanzer: With all respect to my opponent, I am a white gay woman and it is important to me as a part of my identity. We’ve had wonderful staff development programs. When a principal said her teachers wanted to work well with gay students but were afraid they would say the wrong things, was on a panel. Religious, cultural diversity.
Fuentes-Rohwer. It matters to be a girl in a male dominated society. It matters to be a child of color in a white-dominated society. Happy to see PRISM. There are schools that have student councils. Kids need to have a voice. How can they tell us when something is happening? They need to have a way.
Question #5. What are your views on charter schools, what would you do to keep money in MCCSC?
Sabo Skelton: Getting rid of charter schools would help. They have different rules and regulations. Charter school movement is privatization. Use your vote for people who want real public schools.
Spechler: Charters and private in our state are right of parents to choose. Research indicates that in some areas charters have had a successful function. Here in Monroe County not clear they have. I would compete with charter and public school by pointing out advantage of a public education. Your child will get to know people who are not like her or him.
Billingsley: We shouldn’t confuse public education with educated public. Homeschools, private schools, Christian schools. Why should just one of those have monopoly status? Lighthouse Christian schools pay taxes too. Competition is healthy. I don’t have a problem at all with charter schools and I kind of resent the way MCCSC attacks charters.
Wanzer: Charters are not doing what they are intended to do. Anyone can choose. I’ve never had a child, I pay taxes gladly because we have an educated populace which makes us more democratic and more civilized.
Fuentes-Rohwer: Charter schools are dividing us as a community. A public school is public because it has an elected board and is accountable to public. I don’t think we have the funding to support three systems of education. We shouldn’t go back to trying to have separate but equal schools. Competition doesn’t make sense for schools. No child should be on losing end of equal educational opportunity.
Shackelford: We shouldn’t add additional charter schools. Not clear what we should do with existing ones. Doesn’t think we should add magnet schools…This is coming pragmatically from what I’ve seen in my lifetime. I’ve always encouraged my friends to have kids in public schools. Mix everyone together and make every school good.
Question 6. How would you increase parental dialogue and engagement within MCCSC?
Marty Spechler: Not aware that there is a deficit of parental engagement in our schools. Of course we’ve got to have open meetings, which we’ve had recently. Invitations to parent conferences and PTA meetings. Have to be timed and made attractive to teachers. If parents want it, they will find the way.
Billingsley: Effort should be made to remind parents that education of their child is their responsibility. They need to be in contact with teachers so both are working in same direction. Increase communication and remind parents that it’s first and foremost their responsibility.
Wanzer: I try to talk to faculty because they are the ones who have insight. In some of our schools, parents can’t be involved way other parents can. Maybe what we need to do is try to go to them, accommodate them better. Sure, it’s parents’ responsibility, but it’s also community’s responsibility.
Fuentes-Rohwer. I think we can do a better job of going to parents to hear back from them. Among those community conversations, there was one open-ended conversation, and that was very valuable. We need a dialog so we can hear how things are working for them. Different school districts have parent councils. People need a voice, need to feel connected.
Shackelford: There’s a tendency to go at things programmatically. I have never seen a great leader not have communication with parents. Great leaders do a magnificent job at making sure everyone knows they can give input, and at handling the input. It’s more a question to get everyone in district to be a great leader.
Sabo-Skelton. We have had these community conversations off and on, maybe we need to go into workplaces and have those conversations more in environment.
Question 7: How do you think the board should support growing number of students who have individualized education plans, in terms of both students and instruction?
Billingsley: These plans are sometimes quite different than way the ordinary course is structured. I wasn’t aware that this was a growing number. We have to keep lines of communication open with parents of kids, there might be medical professionals involved. We need to get teachers the resources they need in the classroom.
Wanzer: First thing: consult with teachers and with special ed teachers to find out how we can get. It’s the federal government that provides us with funding for students with special needs and disabilities. Don’t want to lose those funds or those that help with kids in poverty. Maybe we need some discussion with our folks and experts.
Fuentes-Rohwer: We need a community conversation with experts, parents of special needs, and teachers. In the high-stakes testing environment, kids with special needs are getting the short end of the stick. We need to find out how we can get better resources to our teachers.
Shackelford: On this one, I want to know what superintendent and teachers think.
Sabo-Skelton: We have to continue to go after funding for kids with special needs. Need to work with kids and parents on continual basis.
Spechler: Every child has individual needs. They are all different. I would ask teachers to distribute to all parents confidential questionnaire, so parents can indicate anything going on. Every child should have benefits of being regarded as special. Teachers should get together with parents. Important thing is universal fact of each child’s difference from others.
Question 8: What are the primary purpose and the duties of the school board?
Wanzer: We hire the superintendent. Also approve all the policies of the school corporation. We also approve our budgets. I think my duty as school board member is to be engaged and responsive. I need to hear what people’s reactions are to what’s happening in school corporation.
Fuentes-Rohwer: we are charged with creating and shaping the vision for administration to carry out. We need to have transparency and ways of communication and ways of hearing back from the community.
Shackelford: Same answer. You should vote based on your answer to the question, who do I want to help select next superintendent? I’m going to dodge this question a bit. Sometimes really good principals…Those kinds of people never get to superintendent.
Sabo-Skelton: You hire or fire superintendent, you work on the policy, you approve the budget. Those are the three basic jobs.
Spechler: The two unavoidable responsibilities will be to hire a new superintendent (though happy with this one). We will continue to have financial problems if our students are drained off. I’m rather happy with the policies now. I don’t think it’s board’s job to micromanage teachers in classroom.
Billingsley: Primary purpose is partnering with parents and partnering with teachers. To ensure that students get an academically excellent education. Duties: We turn to dollars here. This entity receives more money than any other entity in county by far. I think there’s a lot of stuff that’s been made deliberately unclear.
Question 9: At least one MCCSC elementary school has experienced a faculty turnover rate of about 70%.
Fuentes-Rohwer: I would like us to be transparent about these numbers. We know it’s hard for teachers to stay in schools that are high poverty. In this era, teachers are frightened, not going into teaching. We need to put into place a system for teachers to give us safe feedback on what they need, what’s working.
Shackelford: Thing I’m recommending is increasing teachers’ pay scale to 44,000 to 80,000. That requires tax dollars. Our salaries are too low for single parent beginning at bottom. I’d like to see someone crunch numbers.
Sabo-Skelton: Certainly teacher pay is nowhere where it should be. MCCSC realizes that and are working on it as best we can. Also environment is very important, and we are working on that. We’ve got wonderful programs in each elementary school.
Spechler: 70% turnover is outrageous. This is outrageous. This is the first time the public has been told about that fact. Why doesn’t the superintendent and board tell us about this problem and be transparent about it? We need more public confidence and public knowledge.
Billingsley: There’s definitely a problem. We’ve got to let teachers know that we’ve got their back. No compromise, discipline will be maintained, remove distractions, we will have a safe environment.
Wanzer: No secret that we’ve had high turnover at one of our schools. Part of it is teacher pay. Teachers get low respect, little regard, so much pressure to raise scores. We need to consult with unions. Because we are a public school, we can’t just remove distractions in our classrooms; we are responsible to educate all students.
Question 10: Do you support parents opting their kids out of state assessments or for that matter, books, lessons, activities that may be going on in classroom?
Shackelford: As potential board member, doesn’t feel quite like a board question. I’m interested in the superintendents’ and principals’ reactions. That’s all I can give you.
Sabo-Skelton: Do I approve of parents opting out? I’d love for all parents to opt out of state test. But reality is we get our funding from the state. If we don’t comply, we don’t get funding. Until we can change the political people, we have to hold.
Spechler: State of Indiana is sovereign here and in charge of school. This is a matter for state to decide and not for MCCSC. Divisive for parents to be able to remove their kids from any activity. This should be firmly discouraged.
Billingsley: I actually tried unsuccessfully to remove my kids from state assessments. As far as books and activities, definitely yes. I’ve heard about lots of books and activities that would be quite offensive to me and others. As parent, I’m boss and I want my prerogative. There was a sex survey a couple years ago.
Wanzer: The whole opting out is difficult for me. As far as I know, we do have opting out for parents . Taking the one child out might help child, but doesn’t help school corporation or state. Lost teaching time, billions spent because of state tests?
Fuentes-Rohwer. The testing environment has changed dramatically in last five years. Children are afraid that a test will determine whether they can go on. There have been computer glitches where a computer says “failure” and a child thinks it refers to them. The decision if a child should be opted out should be a parent’s.
Question 11: What metrics would you use to evaluate school’s success?
S-S: A statistician would have to answer. I am still confused with what is being used to assess what we are doing. The state says we are an “A” system. No one can explain numbers that come from state.
Spechler: I don’t believe we know a metric that will evaluate schools. Proper way is student by student, how much has that student improved from one year to next. No way to generalize that. Every attempt that state has made is wrong-headed and harmful to parents doing their best.
Billingsley: Difficulty to come up with metrics. Success is not immediately observable. Teachers can see, should be able to take action immediately.
Wanzer: We have experts in this community who can help us do that. A school that allows creativity, uses developmentally appropriate programs, enough recess, where learning is fun…those would indicate that a school is doing well. We have to measure kids and since every kid is different is hard. I have trouble using ISTEP to award a grade.
Fuentes-Rohwer: Our legislators say that parents like me want these letter grades. I’m not interested in this bogus system. If we validate it by celebrating an “A”, we validate an F. Art, music, gym, certified librarians in library. That’s a way of showing success.
Shackelford: Another hour long question in 60 seconds. I have watched a good principal integrate kids into a classroom and those kids tested well. Great teachers.
Question 12: Historically, with cuts, the arts are the first to be affected. What is your position on the value of these (music, art, library)?
Spechler: Librarians make appropriate books available to students. That’s very important. Art and music are part of basic Western cultural heritage. Lack of interest in art, music, opera and dramatics show that we have not successfully promoted those elements.
Billingsley: I don’t believe those should be the first to go. They are a big part of a wholesome education. It’s not going to be in those areas. We’ve got expensive facilities. We’ve got to cut administrative bloat.
Wanzer: It’s not true that we have lots of administrators. We have lots of staff who aren’t teachers. We have nurses, bus drivers, food servers. A small minority are administrators. P.E. and librarians and extracurriculars are part of a deep and broad education.
Fuentes-Rohwer: It’s important that we care about state policy. We need a lot of funding to support programs and professionals. It’s important that we’re not allowing kids who are not scoring well to get pulled out of the arts curriculum for test prep.
Shackelford: The arts are indispensable in education. When we’re leading well, there are certain places we want to go. You have to take the attitude that these are not on the cutting block and that we will find a way to keep them in.
Sabo-Skelton: MCCSC treasures art, orchestra, choirs, and athletics. This is an integral part of our curriculum. We are asking for your “yes” vote on the referendum.
Closing statements:
Spechler: I am running to relieve the incumbent who has been there for over a decade. I have searched on many search and screening committees for the university and the city. I can identify weak parts of the budget. You should vote for me for my budgetary and hiring experience.
Sabo-Skelton: Yes, I’ve served three terms and I’m just warming up. You do it with continuity of people. Every child deserves the best education. We strive to provide this for every child. Vote “yes” for the referendum.
Shackelford: I’ve talked about the places you always go…you stay connected with people. I’ve come down firmly on the position that you can’t hurt other people and stay connected. Two points: 1) Just fantastic answers [tonight], 2) we’ve got a good school system.
Fuentes-Rohwer: The board should reflect the community’s vision and create policy. I want to help insure that we support a school system where teachers, students, and parents know that they are heard.
Wanzer: Good decisions are made when the board communicates and listens. People who know me know I will listen and discuss with anyone. I respond to e-mails and phone calls. I value public input. All should have a voice. I’m Sue—engaged, responsive, and inclusive.
Billingsley: Many of you share my frustration that we have tripled our investment in education but that our academic performance as a nation is low. We are witnessing the degradation of our culture as well due to progressives and political correctness. This is why parents leave for homeschool, charters and vouchers.
--Jenny Robinson
Disclaimer: I typed as fast as I could, but can't promise complete accuracy here (and certainly there was plenty I missed). For the full recording, please view the event on CATStv.net.
The League of Women Voters held a candidate forum on Thursday, September 29, at the Monroe County Public Library. The complete footage of this event is available here through Community Access Television. Notes from that forum (a rough attempt at a transcript) follow:
MCCSC School Board Candidate Forum, 9/29/2016
District 2: Jim Billingsley and Sue Wanzer
District 4: Cathy Fuentes-Rohwer and Jim Shackelford
District 6: Lois Sabo-Skelton and Marty Spechler
2 minutes for opening statements, 1 minute to respond to questions, 1 in conclusion
Opening statements:
Jim Billingsley, District 2. Have two adult children and 6th grader. BS in Mechanical Engineering. VP of Sewer District. Served on board of Lighthouse Christian.
--need to refocus mission onto student, sound teaching
--need to resist liberal special interest groups and focus on the academic wellbeing of all students
I am gravely concerned about encroachment of federal mandates on schools. NCLB, Common Core and now dangerous voyeurism mandate to allow boys to use girls’ showers. I want to extricate schools from their harmful effects.
Sue Wanzer, District 2. Proud and humbled to run for reelection. Running partly on past record and partly…I believe in public education as atrue equalizer.
Record: access and equity. Wants safe, welcoming environment for all. Proposed partner benefits for staff (LGBT), wanted staff to pay premiums in fairer way, so that lowest paid were not paying highest premiums, and board adopted this.
Will continue to oppose ISTEP testing, oppose using state tax money for….
Wants to explore additional recess additional, redistricting, and mitigating the effects of poverty.
Cathy Fuentes-Rohwer: Mom of four (two current MCCSC students), school library volunteer, involved with first referendum campaign. Am chairperson of the Indiana Coalition for Public Education of Monroe County. Public schools are the heart of our community. We need engagement. We need processes by which we can ensure that all voices are heard: parents, teachers, and kids themselves. State determines school success by using a test, but the test should not be sole focus. We want all children to learn what won’t be tested: creativity, critical thinking, citizenship, compassion.
Jim Shackelford: Entered race because no candidate speaks about socially accepted bad trends. No one is mentioning psychiatric drugs and labels. In every district in the nation, superintendent and board are mum on this subject. I am less articulate and polished than rest. Need to lead. Our society works well with top-down leadership. We need true leadership. Socially accepted wrongs have a way of staying in place. Agree with superintendent when she’s right, disagree when she’s wrong. Deep respect for everyone in Monroe County. I don’t network. I interact in substantive ways.
Sabo-Skelton: Thanks to League of Women Voters. Am member of MCCSC board, running for 4th term. Consistency and continuity of school board results in success. Elementary schools have diverse curriculum. Grandview prototype, Fairview is an arts model that will be model for state and nation. Hoosier Hills Vocational School serves students well. Public schools today are being sold out to privatization—charters and vouchers. You have no say over what that school does. I will continue to fight for real public schools.
Mary Spechler: retired professor of economics. Have 2 adult children who attended Monroe County public schools and IU. Was member of Bloomington City Council, has been precinct chairman for about 20 years. Would like to serve again on MCCSC school board. What have I accomplished? We increased demographic base for Fairview school by establishing new neighborhood. Enjoy dealing with other people, will speak up when I think there is wrong. School board has to work through consensus and agreement.
Questions from panel:
Question 1: There is a consistent difference in measured learning between some of our elementary schools. How do we ensure equity and opportunity for every child?
Jim Billingsly: Let’s take a good hard look at the schools that are doing well and import that knowledge and those techniques. Support that teachers get may be lacking in schools that don’t do well. Federal mandates constrain teachers. If we remove these shackles, we will see improvement and results.
Wanzer: I hear 2 questions. Way our schools are measured is false: ISTEP test was never meant to grade a school. We have schools with low grades who are doing well. We have lowered class sizes at Fairview. We need to look at rural schools with poverty, too.
Fuentes-Rohwer: Agree with Sue about misuse of standardized testing. Highest correlation is economic background. We are stigmatizing children in poverty. It concerns me when the kids under pressure to perform are not getting as much gym, art, recess. Those things make kids happy to go to school.
Shackelford: We have to think what we think about our schools. We know which ones do or don’t have those problems. From my experience, principals make a big difference. I have known principals who turned around low income schools, schools in black neighborhoods, etc., that everyone said were not possible [to turn around].
Sabo Skelton: You look at poverty levels. Grades are lower in poor sections. In MCCSC we have worked very carefully in each one of our elementary schools. Each one is becoming specialized. We are approaching each school and giving it what it needs.
Spechler: Reject the idea that some of our schools are better than other schools. True test is how far schools take kids from where they are to where they could be. We have to help them do their proper job. Problem of American schools is poverty and segregation. Wants to increase financial ability of board to give transportation and assistance.
Question #2. What role do you see for technology in schools?
Wanzer: When our superintendent came 6 years ago, our technology was lacking. She has helped us build it up to a technology for communication. It is another advancement in our tools. Amazing to see the individualized learning that one teacher can provide for classroom of kids.
Fuentes-Rohwer: It’s not simple one way or another. When we introduced the tehnology, we need to know the purpose, how we were going to evaluate the program. I want to know how much screen time my kids are getting. My child gets to use technology to go deep, while others might have a online worksheet, so we need to look at essence of how it’s being used.
Shackelford: I have no idea how to answer that question quickly. Have seen it from lots of different angles. Noticed that lots of math professors fervently favored chalk. I’m not convinced that there is a best way to teach, or that an instructor needs to mix technologies. I’m an outdoor person.
Sabo-Skelton: 4 years ago, we realized we were way behind. We went to work because our kids will need it in the future. Ivy Tech, business community have helped us because they realize our kids will need it in future. We’re trying to combine. Technology is part of our life whether we like it or not.
Spechler: I’ve taught many studetns. They already master the technology. What they don’t master is ability to think critically or write an essay. Technology might assist, but is not as effective as other methods. I would want us to provide the technology a teacher wants.
Billingsley: Not a fan of tablets and personal computers for elementary school heads. Knows they are needed for older students to access information. Another expensive and fatal fad. Runs risk of replacing face time with good teachers. Review of 40 independent studies: slightly lower levels of academic achievement.
Question 3. What particular school initiatives should be instituted, what issue do you think is most important for MCCSC that people may not be aware of.
Fuentes-Rowher: Without referendum funding, that would be disastrous for our school. The issue of the referendum is most important. I would like to see us have an evaluation process in place when we start a new initiative.
Shackelford: The not be aware of part—most important issue is the referendum. People need to vote for the referendum. Don’t have a good answer to second part. Like to see us examine emphasis on interscholastic sports.
Sabo Skelton: Nothing more important than referendum. We need to stay committed to preventionist and interventionist program. Has made a tremendous amount of difference. It is working.
Spechler: Agree that interventionist, preventionist programs must be supported because some of the families in our district are broken or having financial trouble. The harm that charters are having on our public schools is not fully understood by public. Public schools must admit all students.
Billingsley: 1) Flip the teacher administrator ratio back to where it used to be. 2) Introduction of Latin, proven to greatly advance reading levels. 3) Recruitment. I am a huge fan of Hillsdale, doesn’t certify teachers with ed degrees, 4) High cost and harmful effects of federal mandates.
Wanzer: Yes, wants to measure effectiveness. Wants to see us examine neighborhood school boundaries. Issue: Our teacher shortage. Too many people not going into teaching. State removed licensure.
Question 4: How would you support students in marginalized groups, for instance, LGBT, Muslim, Hispanic and black?
Shackelford: We missed one in our questions: Over 8 million kids are on psychiatric drugs. I don’t have a specific thing I can throw out to you that we need to do better.
Sabo-Skelton: We admit everyone, we take your child. We have incorporated time periods and __ where we talk about respecting each other. We promote the idea of democracy that we all are equal and should get equal respect.
Spechler: All children are equally worthy of respect. I reject idea that individual groups be identified in classroom. All these are individual matters that can be dealt with privately. All are students. You’re going to go to school with people who are going to be different than you.
Billingsley: I don’t think that identity group recognition is a healthy mindset, think it yields a victim mentality. Would like to see school take up mentality we’re all students. Kids have a way of rising to the level of our expectations.
Wanzer: With all respect to my opponent, I am a white gay woman and it is important to me as a part of my identity. We’ve had wonderful staff development programs. When a principal said her teachers wanted to work well with gay students but were afraid they would say the wrong things, was on a panel. Religious, cultural diversity.
Fuentes-Rohwer. It matters to be a girl in a male dominated society. It matters to be a child of color in a white-dominated society. Happy to see PRISM. There are schools that have student councils. Kids need to have a voice. How can they tell us when something is happening? They need to have a way.
Question #5. What are your views on charter schools, what would you do to keep money in MCCSC?
Sabo Skelton: Getting rid of charter schools would help. They have different rules and regulations. Charter school movement is privatization. Use your vote for people who want real public schools.
Spechler: Charters and private in our state are right of parents to choose. Research indicates that in some areas charters have had a successful function. Here in Monroe County not clear they have. I would compete with charter and public school by pointing out advantage of a public education. Your child will get to know people who are not like her or him.
Billingsley: We shouldn’t confuse public education with educated public. Homeschools, private schools, Christian schools. Why should just one of those have monopoly status? Lighthouse Christian schools pay taxes too. Competition is healthy. I don’t have a problem at all with charter schools and I kind of resent the way MCCSC attacks charters.
Wanzer: Charters are not doing what they are intended to do. Anyone can choose. I’ve never had a child, I pay taxes gladly because we have an educated populace which makes us more democratic and more civilized.
Fuentes-Rohwer: Charter schools are dividing us as a community. A public school is public because it has an elected board and is accountable to public. I don’t think we have the funding to support three systems of education. We shouldn’t go back to trying to have separate but equal schools. Competition doesn’t make sense for schools. No child should be on losing end of equal educational opportunity.
Shackelford: We shouldn’t add additional charter schools. Not clear what we should do with existing ones. Doesn’t think we should add magnet schools…This is coming pragmatically from what I’ve seen in my lifetime. I’ve always encouraged my friends to have kids in public schools. Mix everyone together and make every school good.
Question 6. How would you increase parental dialogue and engagement within MCCSC?
Marty Spechler: Not aware that there is a deficit of parental engagement in our schools. Of course we’ve got to have open meetings, which we’ve had recently. Invitations to parent conferences and PTA meetings. Have to be timed and made attractive to teachers. If parents want it, they will find the way.
Billingsley: Effort should be made to remind parents that education of their child is their responsibility. They need to be in contact with teachers so both are working in same direction. Increase communication and remind parents that it’s first and foremost their responsibility.
Wanzer: I try to talk to faculty because they are the ones who have insight. In some of our schools, parents can’t be involved way other parents can. Maybe what we need to do is try to go to them, accommodate them better. Sure, it’s parents’ responsibility, but it’s also community’s responsibility.
Fuentes-Rohwer. I think we can do a better job of going to parents to hear back from them. Among those community conversations, there was one open-ended conversation, and that was very valuable. We need a dialog so we can hear how things are working for them. Different school districts have parent councils. People need a voice, need to feel connected.
Shackelford: There’s a tendency to go at things programmatically. I have never seen a great leader not have communication with parents. Great leaders do a magnificent job at making sure everyone knows they can give input, and at handling the input. It’s more a question to get everyone in district to be a great leader.
Sabo-Skelton. We have had these community conversations off and on, maybe we need to go into workplaces and have those conversations more in environment.
Question 7: How do you think the board should support growing number of students who have individualized education plans, in terms of both students and instruction?
Billingsley: These plans are sometimes quite different than way the ordinary course is structured. I wasn’t aware that this was a growing number. We have to keep lines of communication open with parents of kids, there might be medical professionals involved. We need to get teachers the resources they need in the classroom.
Wanzer: First thing: consult with teachers and with special ed teachers to find out how we can get. It’s the federal government that provides us with funding for students with special needs and disabilities. Don’t want to lose those funds or those that help with kids in poverty. Maybe we need some discussion with our folks and experts.
Fuentes-Rohwer: We need a community conversation with experts, parents of special needs, and teachers. In the high-stakes testing environment, kids with special needs are getting the short end of the stick. We need to find out how we can get better resources to our teachers.
Shackelford: On this one, I want to know what superintendent and teachers think.
Sabo-Skelton: We have to continue to go after funding for kids with special needs. Need to work with kids and parents on continual basis.
Spechler: Every child has individual needs. They are all different. I would ask teachers to distribute to all parents confidential questionnaire, so parents can indicate anything going on. Every child should have benefits of being regarded as special. Teachers should get together with parents. Important thing is universal fact of each child’s difference from others.
Question 8: What are the primary purpose and the duties of the school board?
Wanzer: We hire the superintendent. Also approve all the policies of the school corporation. We also approve our budgets. I think my duty as school board member is to be engaged and responsive. I need to hear what people’s reactions are to what’s happening in school corporation.
Fuentes-Rohwer: we are charged with creating and shaping the vision for administration to carry out. We need to have transparency and ways of communication and ways of hearing back from the community.
Shackelford: Same answer. You should vote based on your answer to the question, who do I want to help select next superintendent? I’m going to dodge this question a bit. Sometimes really good principals…Those kinds of people never get to superintendent.
Sabo-Skelton: You hire or fire superintendent, you work on the policy, you approve the budget. Those are the three basic jobs.
Spechler: The two unavoidable responsibilities will be to hire a new superintendent (though happy with this one). We will continue to have financial problems if our students are drained off. I’m rather happy with the policies now. I don’t think it’s board’s job to micromanage teachers in classroom.
Billingsley: Primary purpose is partnering with parents and partnering with teachers. To ensure that students get an academically excellent education. Duties: We turn to dollars here. This entity receives more money than any other entity in county by far. I think there’s a lot of stuff that’s been made deliberately unclear.
Question 9: At least one MCCSC elementary school has experienced a faculty turnover rate of about 70%.
Fuentes-Rohwer: I would like us to be transparent about these numbers. We know it’s hard for teachers to stay in schools that are high poverty. In this era, teachers are frightened, not going into teaching. We need to put into place a system for teachers to give us safe feedback on what they need, what’s working.
Shackelford: Thing I’m recommending is increasing teachers’ pay scale to 44,000 to 80,000. That requires tax dollars. Our salaries are too low for single parent beginning at bottom. I’d like to see someone crunch numbers.
Sabo-Skelton: Certainly teacher pay is nowhere where it should be. MCCSC realizes that and are working on it as best we can. Also environment is very important, and we are working on that. We’ve got wonderful programs in each elementary school.
Spechler: 70% turnover is outrageous. This is outrageous. This is the first time the public has been told about that fact. Why doesn’t the superintendent and board tell us about this problem and be transparent about it? We need more public confidence and public knowledge.
Billingsley: There’s definitely a problem. We’ve got to let teachers know that we’ve got their back. No compromise, discipline will be maintained, remove distractions, we will have a safe environment.
Wanzer: No secret that we’ve had high turnover at one of our schools. Part of it is teacher pay. Teachers get low respect, little regard, so much pressure to raise scores. We need to consult with unions. Because we are a public school, we can’t just remove distractions in our classrooms; we are responsible to educate all students.
Question 10: Do you support parents opting their kids out of state assessments or for that matter, books, lessons, activities that may be going on in classroom?
Shackelford: As potential board member, doesn’t feel quite like a board question. I’m interested in the superintendents’ and principals’ reactions. That’s all I can give you.
Sabo-Skelton: Do I approve of parents opting out? I’d love for all parents to opt out of state test. But reality is we get our funding from the state. If we don’t comply, we don’t get funding. Until we can change the political people, we have to hold.
Spechler: State of Indiana is sovereign here and in charge of school. This is a matter for state to decide and not for MCCSC. Divisive for parents to be able to remove their kids from any activity. This should be firmly discouraged.
Billingsley: I actually tried unsuccessfully to remove my kids from state assessments. As far as books and activities, definitely yes. I’ve heard about lots of books and activities that would be quite offensive to me and others. As parent, I’m boss and I want my prerogative. There was a sex survey a couple years ago.
Wanzer: The whole opting out is difficult for me. As far as I know, we do have opting out for parents . Taking the one child out might help child, but doesn’t help school corporation or state. Lost teaching time, billions spent because of state tests?
Fuentes-Rohwer. The testing environment has changed dramatically in last five years. Children are afraid that a test will determine whether they can go on. There have been computer glitches where a computer says “failure” and a child thinks it refers to them. The decision if a child should be opted out should be a parent’s.
Question 11: What metrics would you use to evaluate school’s success?
S-S: A statistician would have to answer. I am still confused with what is being used to assess what we are doing. The state says we are an “A” system. No one can explain numbers that come from state.
Spechler: I don’t believe we know a metric that will evaluate schools. Proper way is student by student, how much has that student improved from one year to next. No way to generalize that. Every attempt that state has made is wrong-headed and harmful to parents doing their best.
Billingsley: Difficulty to come up with metrics. Success is not immediately observable. Teachers can see, should be able to take action immediately.
Wanzer: We have experts in this community who can help us do that. A school that allows creativity, uses developmentally appropriate programs, enough recess, where learning is fun…those would indicate that a school is doing well. We have to measure kids and since every kid is different is hard. I have trouble using ISTEP to award a grade.
Fuentes-Rohwer: Our legislators say that parents like me want these letter grades. I’m not interested in this bogus system. If we validate it by celebrating an “A”, we validate an F. Art, music, gym, certified librarians in library. That’s a way of showing success.
Shackelford: Another hour long question in 60 seconds. I have watched a good principal integrate kids into a classroom and those kids tested well. Great teachers.
Question 12: Historically, with cuts, the arts are the first to be affected. What is your position on the value of these (music, art, library)?
Spechler: Librarians make appropriate books available to students. That’s very important. Art and music are part of basic Western cultural heritage. Lack of interest in art, music, opera and dramatics show that we have not successfully promoted those elements.
Billingsley: I don’t believe those should be the first to go. They are a big part of a wholesome education. It’s not going to be in those areas. We’ve got expensive facilities. We’ve got to cut administrative bloat.
Wanzer: It’s not true that we have lots of administrators. We have lots of staff who aren’t teachers. We have nurses, bus drivers, food servers. A small minority are administrators. P.E. and librarians and extracurriculars are part of a deep and broad education.
Fuentes-Rohwer: It’s important that we care about state policy. We need a lot of funding to support programs and professionals. It’s important that we’re not allowing kids who are not scoring well to get pulled out of the arts curriculum for test prep.
Shackelford: The arts are indispensable in education. When we’re leading well, there are certain places we want to go. You have to take the attitude that these are not on the cutting block and that we will find a way to keep them in.
Sabo-Skelton: MCCSC treasures art, orchestra, choirs, and athletics. This is an integral part of our curriculum. We are asking for your “yes” vote on the referendum.
Closing statements:
Spechler: I am running to relieve the incumbent who has been there for over a decade. I have searched on many search and screening committees for the university and the city. I can identify weak parts of the budget. You should vote for me for my budgetary and hiring experience.
Sabo-Skelton: Yes, I’ve served three terms and I’m just warming up. You do it with continuity of people. Every child deserves the best education. We strive to provide this for every child. Vote “yes” for the referendum.
Shackelford: I’ve talked about the places you always go…you stay connected with people. I’ve come down firmly on the position that you can’t hurt other people and stay connected. Two points: 1) Just fantastic answers [tonight], 2) we’ve got a good school system.
Fuentes-Rohwer: The board should reflect the community’s vision and create policy. I want to help insure that we support a school system where teachers, students, and parents know that they are heard.
Wanzer: Good decisions are made when the board communicates and listens. People who know me know I will listen and discuss with anyone. I respond to e-mails and phone calls. I value public input. All should have a voice. I’m Sue—engaged, responsive, and inclusive.
Billingsley: Many of you share my frustration that we have tripled our investment in education but that our academic performance as a nation is low. We are witnessing the degradation of our culture as well due to progressives and political correctness. This is why parents leave for homeschool, charters and vouchers.
--Jenny Robinson
Disclaimer: I typed as fast as I could, but can't promise complete accuracy here (and certainly there was plenty I missed). For the full recording, please view the event on CATStv.net.