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Published: April 07, 2008 05:30 pm
CANDIDATE Q&A Greater Clark Schools - District 6
Editor’s Note: Submissions appear as the candidates submitted them without editing. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order. Except where noted, questionnaires are only being published for contested races.
Robert E. Burgan• AGE: “I am 59 years old and a life longer resident of Clark County.”
• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: I graduated from Indiana University, Kelley School of Business in 1970 with a B.S degree in Business Management.
• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: “I am employed at the L. Thorn Company, Inc. as its Vice-President and I have been there for 36 years. Areas of responsibility have included Head of Information Technology and Finance Director.”
• FAMILY NOTES: “I am married to the former Barbara Amy of Clarksville, for the past 37 years. We have one son, Robert. Also, I am a Christian and a member of Southeast Christian Church.”
1) Why are you running for this position?
“It has concerned me for a long time that the present board and former Superintendent failed in maintaining fiscal responsibility and focusing on the academic direction of the system. GCCS ranks 270th in Indiana for its ISTEP scores, 272nd in Indiana for its Graduation Rate, 1 out of every 3 students do not graduate. Can anyone be proud of these statistics? It's not our children's fault. It's the leadership's.
“This Board had rubber-stamped the former Superintendent's proposed expenditures and is responsible for the depletion of over $19,000,000.00 of the reserve fund. No wonder Dr. Bennett is struggling with a $2,500,000.00 budget deficit. But we shouldn't balance the budget on the backs of the teachers.
“We must restore fiscal responsibility and trust in this Board and lead the children of Greater Clark in a new academic direction. We must restore a high standard of ethics on the Board.
“In addition, if elected, the monetary compensation I will receive will be donated to form student scholarships. I would encourage all members to do the same.”
2) What is the most important issue facing this position and what is your plan to resolve it?
“The financial crisis is the most important issue facing us all. First, we will evaluate the new Property Tax Law and estimate how much loss of income we will incur over the next several years. Next we will develop a short term and a long term fiscal plan for the next 5 years to address these losses. I will work with the Superintendent and the new Board to set us on a new course of fiscal responsibility.”
3) What unique contribution will you make to this board?
“The overseeing and management of an 11,000 student school system has to be treated as a business. My 38 years in business management uniquely qualifies for the challenges ahead. I work with professionals and staff everyday. Respect is the first virtue one must possess. I live my life by the “Golden Rule”.”
4) Have you ever been convicted of a non-traffic court crime in the United States? If so, please explain all relevant instances.
“No, I have always been a law abiding citizen and have the utmost respect for the laws of the United States and the State of Indiana. We must lead by example.”
READER-SUBMITTED QUESTIONS
Gov. Daniels' plan would eliminate property tax by increasing sales tax as a source of revenue for the general fund of schools. Since school corporations would therefore rely predominantly on state support, what effect might this have on school finance and what will be your priorities when forced to make any cuts?
“Most citizens' property tax increased 45 to 50%. The State law passed is to lower the taxes by about 30%. So the net effect is a 20% increase. The State is stepping in and taking over the funding of all schools. The new law also provides that the citizens of the school district must approve new school projects over $20,000,000.00 through a referendum. This places extraordinary pressure on Boards and Administrations to better manage their funds. This makes the case to have even better qualified Board members. I would look for alternative funding through grants and corporate donations.
“It has been projected that Greater Clark would loose between $35,000.00 and $50,000.00 each over next 2 years. We can easily make this up.”
It seems that some local school boards have become increasingly involved in the day-to-day operation of schools. Do you feel that is an appropriate direction for a board to be moving in, or should it function more as an advisory body?
“The #2 principle on the “CODE OF ETHICS” list of the Indiana School Board Associations,…”the basic function of the school board is “policy-making” and not “administrative”. I accept this and promise the citizens of GCC Schools not to “micromanage” the Administration, as some present members are doing. The word micromanage means “to manage or control very closely, as by making decisions about even the smallest details, often so as to be regarded as acting inefficiently or counterproductively”.
What do you plan to do to increase your school corporation's overall high school graduation rate?
“We need to analyze why students are leaving the school system and where they are going. One out of three not graduating is unacceptable. One out of every three families, in GCCS, has a single parent. We must put in place programs to turn the tide. We must start teaching our children the “Power of Positive Thinking” and encourage them to dream about their future.”
‘If you can dream it, you can achieve it.’ If we do not increase the graduation rate to three out of four in the next four years, I will not run for re-election.”
Olivia Hanley• EDUCATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: A native of Louisville, KY and received an Advanced Diploma from Louisville Central High School, earned an Academic Scholarship to Knoxville College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics/Chemistry; Masters of Science degree from Indiana University in Urban Education.
• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Retired Teacher of Mathematics/Science (GCCS), Education Advisory Board-Muhammad Ali Center, Jeffersonville High School Academic Advisor-Athletic Department, Co-Founder of Jeffersonville High Schools Minority Scholars Program, Delegate to Leadership Louisville and Southern Indiana, Director Lincoln Foundation Computer Camp, University of Louisville Minority Teacher Recruitment Project Advisor, Founder E=MC2 (Education is Motivating to Christian Children), ACT Mentor Lincoln Foundation, University Supervisor-Spalding University, Mentor/Teacher JCPS Barbadian Exchange Program, JYBL Board Member, Treasurer JCCYFL, Co-Founder Indiana Focus Foundation, INC
• FAMILY NOTES: Two Sons: Robert (1989 graduate of Jeffersonville High School; “Voice" of Jeffersonville Basketball and Football); Brien (1994 graduate of Jeffersonville High School; married and resides with wife April in Overland Park, Kansas)
1) Why are you running for this position?
“I am running for this position because I have witnessed the ineffective Board leadership that has propelled the school corporation into:
• Declining test scores;
• Lack of annual yearly progress in student achievement;
• Decreasing graduation rates; and
• A widening achievement gap for poor and minority students.
“I feel that my knowledge and skills acquired from my years of teaching experience and my community and civic involvement have given me a fresh perspective and some expertise to share as the Board grapples with finding solutions to these challenges. Additionally, I do not have personal loyalties or alliances that will keep me from acting in the best interest of all children.”
2) What is the most important issue facing this position and what is your plan to resolve it?
“The most important issues facing the Board currently are the lack of academic achievement of our students coupled with the community's lack of confidence in our schools. In an age when the ability to understand and transfer knowledge is the passport for students to be competitive in a world market, our schools graduation rate ranks near the bottom for the state. Our business community is plagued with an ill prepared workforce that minimizes opportunities to compete in a global market. To address these issues and develop a plan, we must:
• Analyze the data to pinpoint disparities by school, subject, classroom, gender, race and socio-economic group.
• Analyze strategies and practices currently in place.
• Work with community representatives, district leaders, school administrators, parents, students and teachers to determine district priorities.
• Allow schools to design specific academic improvement plans reflective of their needs within the priorities.
• Use Board authority to reallocate budget and staff based on priorities and need.
• Authorize the superintendent and school leaders to provide continuous monitoring of schools' academic progress.
• Determine next steps for lack of improvement.”
3) What unique contributions will you make to this board?
“I understand the need to be a team player in order to be a viable factor on this Board. My unique contributions include a Master's Degree in Education and over 25 years of teaching experience in the Greater Clark County Schools. I have lived in the area for the majority of my adult life and my children have successfully matriculated through Greater Clark schools. As a parent, teacher, small business entrepreneur, and civic leader, I also have a willingness to invest my time and attention to the needs of the Board. Additionally, my background as a math teacher has assisted my ability to be analytical, reflective and open minded-unique characteristics needed to make decisions and set policy with limited bias.”
READER-SUBMITTED QUESTIONS
Gov. Daniels' Plan would eliminate property tax by increasing sales tax as a source of revenue for the general fund of schools. Since school corporations would therefore rely predominantly on state support, what effect might this have on school finance and what will be your priorities when forced to make any cuts.
“This could have very drastic effects on our school finances and our ability to maintain all the projects that we now have in place and we would be forced to look for alternative sources of revenue under state guidelines. However, my priorities will be to maintain and strengthen academic programs for local schools. I would ask the Superintendent to research effective instructional practices to determine if there are other methods of school organization that might enhance our meeting our goals and priorities. I would consider reorganizing auxiliary and administrative services as well. I would vote to cut services to students only as a last resort.”
It seems that some local school Boards have become increasingly involved in the day-to-day operation of schools. Do you feel that is an appropriate direction for a board to be moving in, or should it function more as an advisory body?
“Advisory and day to day are two extremes. I feel that the Board's function is to provide guidance, direction, oversight and fiscal management for the school corporation. Boards should work with the Superintendent to achieve the desired results. The Board should not micro-manage or set policies that give it control over day to day operations. The chain-of-command and responsibilities of each level is spelled out by the Indiana School Boards Association of which I would strongly adhere to.”
What do you plan to do to increase the school corporation's high school graduation rate?
“Increasing the HS graduation rate is a difficult endeavor. The first step to any long range plan must be gathering accurate information from reliable sources-students who did not graduate. As Board members we must determine “why.” We must ask hard questions and be receptive and non-judgmental of the answers that we receive as we begin structuring a plan. At the same time, I would ask that we utilize community resources-churches, civic and social organizations, area businesses, etc as we mount a campaign to support high school graduation. I would insist that the community must be educated and involved. A district wide mentoring program would be one suggestion that I would ask the superintendent to consider.”
Robbie Valentine• AGE: 44
• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: “I am originally from Radcliff, Kentucky and a 1982 graduate of North Hardin High School. I attended the University of Louisville on a scholarship and was a member of the 1986 NCAA Basketball Championship team, after graduating with a Bachelors of Arts degree in education I was a student assistant basketball coach under Denny Crum for two years. In 2000, I was inducted into the University of Louisville Athletic Hall of Fame.”
• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Founder of STARS Education Program, a national after-school program; Southern Indiana Entrepreneur for over 20 years; Television and Radio Personality; Organizer of community charity events; Active role model in schools and community; Leadership Louisville, 2000; Sponsored Basketball Camps for over 24 years; PTO/PTA President for 3 years at North Haven Elementary; Northaven Elementary School Volunteer Coach (6 years) — Boys & Girls Track Teams, Boys & Girls Cross Country Teams, and Boys and Girls Basketball Teams; River Valley Middle School Volunteer Coach - 6th Grade Boys Basketball (3 years) 8th Grade Girls Basketball (1 year)
• FAMILY NOTES: Currently, I reside with my three children - Aaron, Eric, and Brooke in Jeffersonville, Indiana where my children attend Jeffersonville High School.
1) Why are you running for this position?
“I feel that I am perfectly fitted to work with the school board. My focus has always been the children of this community. I will never lose focus on what is the most important piece of education, our children. I will work well with all board members. I can make a difference in all of our students lives, but it is important that we put extremely high focus on our African American minority students/African American Boys. As an African American, I believe I can make that difference in the lives of minority students as a positive role model who will help to direct focus to the declining test scores of minorities and African American boys. I am also very involved with the community. Presently, I am a member of numerous boards in Kentuckiana which include: Board of Advisors Indiana University Southeast; Past-President and current Vice-President of the School Board of Trustees Greater Clark County Schools; Dare to Care; Boys and Girls Clubs; University of Louisville Alumni Association; Juvenile Justice Crime Commission; Jeffersonville Human Relations Commission; Champions Against Drugs; DARE; Southern Indiana Chamber of Commerce; Kentuckiana Junior Achievement Board; and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. I have organized many charity events and raised over $300,000 for local charities. I average 450 speaking engagements a year at schools, community banquets, churches, etc. I have over 24 years experience working with kids. If you need more information you can visit my website at www.robbievalentine.com.”
2) What is the most important issue facing this position and what is your plan to resolve it?
“Improving our test scores needs to be our focus. As a board member I have led the charge to have exit outcomes for our middle schools, ensured all children are reading at grade level by third grade. The reading skills must be stressed at all levels to increase student test scores. I also fought to have Dr. Roger Cleveland brought to our schools to help align our curriculum with the state standards. I would work to stress improvement of scores for minority students and to close the achievement gap. It is imperative for us to get a better grip on discipline practices throughout the district. I would encourage the implementation of a mentoring program and a remediation program for English as a Second Language (ESL) students across the district. I would push for establishing a stronger alternative school program and vocational programs. Also, we need to continue strong support of teachers, staff and administration and establish better communication between the schools and the community.”
3) What unique contribution will you make to this board?
“Leadership is what I will provide for this board and community. I have served as president during the search committee for the new superintendent. I currently serve as vice-president of the board. I am a team player that works well with our diverse community and this is an asset to our board.”
4) Have you ever been convicted of a non-traffic court crime in the United States? If so, please explain all relevant instances.
“No.”
READER-SUBMITTED QUESTIONS
Gov. Daniels' plan would eliminate property tax by increasing sales tax as a source of revenue for the general fund of schools. Since school corporations would therefore rely predominantly on state support, what effect might this have on school finance and what will be your priorities when forced to make any cuts?
“The issue of the impact of property tax reform is very complicated. As a school board member, one must be aware that the new property tax reform law that places the burden of the school corporation's general fund totally into the responsibility of the State of Indianan may reduce general fund school funding in the future. As a school board member who is keenly focused on student achievement, it will be imperative for school boards to work closely with their administrative teams to do as much as possible to keep away from areas that impact student achievement. The school board will have to evaluate exactly which general fund expenditures are the most important closely correlated to student achievement, and direct future general fund dollars to those areas. This type of spending will require improved data-driven decision-making on the part of school administration and the school board.”It seems that some local school boards have become increasingly involved in the day-to-day operation of schools. Do you feel that is an appropriate direction for a board to be moving in, or should it function more as an advisory body?
“School boards are neither “advisory” (as is worded in the given question), nor are they micro-managers (as is also implied). School boards and school board members function best when they act as policy-makers as is outlined in the Indiana School Board Association Code of Ethics. The school board should have a close working relationship with their CEO(superintendent) and should act upon the recommendations of the superintendent and his/her staff. School board members should act upon those recommendations based upon what the board member believes is in the best interests of the students in the school corporation and for the community as a whole.”
What do you plan to do to increase your school corporation's overall high school graduation rate?
“I am proud to say that the Greater Clark County (GCS) school board and the superintendent have already taken a proactive position to the issue of improving student achievement and graduation rates for all students in Greater Clark Schools. As a current member of the GCS board, I am proud of the decision to use grant money to fund the curriculum study recently performed by Dr. Roger Cleveland and Millennium Learning Concepts. The administration and board are committed to using that study, as well as all other information the school corporation has at its disposal to develop an action plan that will enable GCS to become one of the highest performing school corporations in the State of Indiana. I was appointed to chair the Leadership Equity Committee. The president of the school board, Bob McEwen and Superintendent, Tony Bennet appointed me to represent the school district on that committee. I accepted because of its importance. We most definitely need a stronger African American minority students academic presence within the school district.”
Jerry D. White• AGE: 52
• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: Graduate of Jeffersonville High School (‘73)
• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: “I am the owner of A. C. Upholstery Company previously owned by my parents, Russ and Miriam White. I also own and manage a number of rental properties. My wife and I owned and operated Fischer’s School Supplies from 1991 until we sold the business to Harcourt Outlines, Inc. in 2003. I have served on the Center for Lay Ministries Board of Directors for over 15 years serving as chairman of the board for 5 of those years. During my tenure on the C.L.M. board we have expanded our programs to include the Bliss House, a residential program for women recovering from alcohol and drug addictions. In addition we built a new half a million dollar building to house our food pantry program, food home delivery program and Kid’s Café program. I also served as president of the Jeffersonville High School Band Boosters from 2002 thru 2006. During those years the Band Boosters became one of the largest and most active booster groups at Jeffersonville High School hosting a regional band competition with approximately 8,000 participants and spectators. I have served as the treasurer of the Clark County Chapter of the American Cancer Society. I have been a member of Park Place United Methodist United Church for over 30 years serving as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for several years and Chairman of the Administrative Council for 2 years. I was also Chairman of the Building Committee at Park Place in 1997 when we built a multi-use building with a full size gymnasium, multiple classrooms and commercial kitchen facilities.”
• FAMILY NOTES: “I am married to Nancy (Fischer, JHS ‘74). I have 5 children, Melissa, Tabitha, Shelly, Ashley and Jeremy. I have 5 grandchildren. My parents are Russ and Miriam White. My in-laws are Russ and Coleen Fischer.”
1) Why are you running for this position?
“After attending almost every School Board meeting for the last five years, it has become apparent to me that the board has become disconnected from the community that elected them to serve. I will bring a willingness to listen to the student’s, employees’ and community’s needs and desires. I will mediate fair, intelligent and honest answers to their concerns regarding the decisions being made by the board for the future of our children. Our community’s future lies in how we raise and educate our children today for they are the leaders of tomorrow. Our actions or inactions will impact their future and I am willing to commit myself to a better tomorrow for our children and our community.”
2) What is the most important issue facing this position and what is your plan to resolve it?
“The next few years are going to be challenging ones for G.C.C.S. We are in the early stages of major building and renovation projects, on a very tight budget and in tough economic times. Eleven of our eighteen schools did not make adequate yearly progress and we face a very strong possibility that we will be searching for a new superintendent soon.
“I will work with those involved to ensure that we get the most possible out of our building project dollars, without compromising a safe environment conducive to learning for our children. We have to make smart financial decisions focusing on the function and durability of our buildings forgoing costly architecturally pleasing aesthetics.
“We must evaluate what is working in the schools that improve their test scores and apply as many of those processes as possible to our schools that are not meeting the goals. I am sure we have the talent in our teachers to meet the challenge if we work as a cohesive group toward the common goal of excellence in education for our children. I will work to make sure the support is there for our employees and expect results from them.
3) What unique contribution will you make to this board?
“I have the experience and ability to unify people and offer leadership by putting others before myself and act in the best interest the children, employees and taxpayers of Greater Clark County Schools, without regard for my personal interest.
4) Have you ever been convicted of a non-traffic court crime in the United States? If so, please explain all relevant instances.
“No.”
READER-SUBMITTED QUESTIONS
Gov. Daniels' plan would eliminate property tax by increasing sales tax as a source of revenue for the general fund of schools. Since school corporations would therefore rely predominantly on state support, what effect might this have on school finance and what will be your priorities when forced to make any cuts?
“Control is lost whenever funding is taken from local government and given to the state or federal government. The Superintendent and CFO would be required to monitor the effects this change would have on our corporation and advise the board of the impact so that appropriate decisions can be made.
“As for my priorities, teaching positions are the last thing we should look at cutting if budget cuts have to be made. Given our current academic standing we need to look at operating costs closely as an area for cutting costs. The corporation should be run like a for profit corporation concerning finances meaning that we need to look at every purchase we make to make sure we are getting the best product/cost value possible. Also, all areas need to be evaluated regularly to see that their operations are efficient and thrifty.”
It seems that some local school boards have become increasingly involved in the day-to-day operation of schools. Do you feel that is an appropriate direction for a board to be moving in, or should it function more as an advisory body?
“The responsibility of the board of trustees is much greater than that of an advisory body. The purpose of the board of trustees is to set forth a vision for the future of the schools and work in conjunction with the superintendent and central office to make that vision a reality. The Board should set policies by which the corporation is run and oversee the academic, fiscal and legal responsibilities of the corporation. Governance of the schools by the board should be done through the superintendent and acting only as a board, never as an individual board member. The Board must evaluate the schools’ academic achievement results. We must then work with the Corporation’s educators to determine what actions are necessary to achieve academic excellence and to provide the means to attain it.”
What do you plan to do to increase your school corporation's overall high school graduation rate?
“I think the reason for the high dropout rate in our high schools starts long before the children reach high school. We lose many of these kids in the transition from elementary to middle school and again upon starting their freshman year of high school. We need to work harder at keeping those who falter in their learning at the elementary and middle school levels from falling behind. When someone falls too far behind they lose all hope of catching up and therefore give up. Every child is priceless and we must offer remediation as needed for these children to stay at the current grade level of learning. It is just as important for us to know who is struggling in the bottom ten percent of the class as it is to know who is in the top ten percent of the class. Using that information we can help those struggling to improve and keep their sights focused on graduating from high school.”
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