A school board voting guide
This past month I sent out some requests for questions to include in a questionnaire for a voter guide. Very few people responded, so I tasked them with creating a guide for this site. I gave very few guidelines, so what you have here is the creation of the three individuals who cared enough to do the job. Click here to see it in PDF format. Then, you can print it up and give it away to your friends and neighbors. Or, you can forward it to all your email contacts who live in Alachua County.
I am putting out the call for another voting guide for the November election after the August 24 primaries are done. If you would like to be a part of that effort, contact me. If you just want to do it on your own and submit it to be included here, also contact me. You may have noticed that the candidates do not write here much, even though most of them have a username and password, and can blog here at will. So, here’s your chance to drag them out of their shells!
Thanks,
Don Marsh
Thank you Mr. Marsh. I wish there were more people like yourself who took the time to serve the public in this manner.
1Thanks a lot for doing this public service. I would like to throw in another issue regarding county school board’s contract with DES of Florida, LLC. Even though it is legal, it raises the ethical problem of exploring loopholes in DROP program by “double dipping”. What is the stand of each candidate on this issue?
2I guess each candidate expressed their view on school uniform. However, the question underneath the uniform is actually about the freedom of speech to what extent. Last school board decided to dodge the issue by implementing the uniform mandate. What is the stand of each candidate on this issue of freedom of speech at public school? Would each candidate take a stand to influential outside organization (like ACLU threatening law suit)?
Thanks again,
posting Jancie Vinson’s complete answers submitted on the form…
Candidate: __Jancie Vinson __________________________________________________________ _
Phone: _ _352-338-8015________________ ___ Email: JVCampaign@yahoo.com
Would you have supported/opposed the new uniform mandate?
First, I would of educated and ensured that all parties (students, parents, teachers, administrators and non-instructional employees) felt comfortable with the concept, the reasons behind the uniforms and allow them to buy into before opposing it. Uniforms means to me, representing order, conduct code, tidiness, being professional, speak to character, sense of pride, dressing the same, respecting oneself and the school. It is important to encourage our children to concentrate on their education with the uniform policy and remind them that they are not being punished with the uniforms but, dressing for education success with no distractions. I am opposed to the inconsistent of the uniform policy for each school with their own policy which contradicts standard uniform for each student in Alachua County.
Do you support/oppose tenure modification to require performance accountability to tenured teachers?
It is my understanding that we do not have tenure in Alachua County and the County currently has a way to remove ineffective teachers as long as the administrator labels them as such.
Would you support/oppose removing/privatizing the $4 million dollar summer school programs?
It is my understanding that our summer school options are very limited at present due to state funding cut backs. Currently, we are presently having summer school only for 3rd graders who have not passed the FCAT and need remedial tutoring. I would not be in favor in privatizing this service, which would add another layer of extra expenses.
Do you support/oppose requiring Home Educators to be certified by the state to teach their children?
I would support Home Educators as long as the children pass the state mandated test required of the public school children (FCAT) and the end-of-course exams in high school required for graduation. I would not require parents to be certified teachers.
Do you support/oppose Planned Parenthood’s Healthy Teen Program?
I am not familiar with planned Parenthood Healthy Team program.
Do you support/oppose the distribution of birth control to students without parental notification?
It is my understanding that the public schools have nothing whatsoever to do with the distribution of birth control to students and I would continue this practice.
Do you support/oppose school assisted abortions for minors without parental notification?
It is my understanding that the public schools have nothing whatsoever to do with abortions decisions and I would continue this practice.
Do you support/oppose teaching sex education to elementary school students?
I would support age-appropriate sex education at the elementary level. Children should be taught and made aware as a safe measure against predators.
Do you support/oppose Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual and Transgender diversity instruction/promotion in elementary schools?
The public schools are not allowed to discriminate or promote any particular way of thinking or acting regarding sexuality.
Do you support/oppose voluntary Christian based programs in public schools like Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Christian Youth in Action?
Yes, I would support.
Do you regularly attend a local church? Yes
May I ask which one? _Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church____________________
List the Top 2 Issues that you will address as a member of the School Board?
I will address the high drop out rate.
I will address the failing test scores & schools.
3Posting Jennifer Deachin’s completed questionnaire:
Candidate: __Jennifer Deachin___________________________________________________________ _
Phone: _ _352-376-7650________________ ___ Email: __ jen@jendeachinforschoolboard.org _____
Would you have supported/opposed the new uniform mandate?
I support the uniform policy that was put into effect from the current School Board members. I do understand that it is a more stringent dress code than its predecessor. Unfortunately there is a combination of issues regarding the uniform policy that must be addressed. The first a lack of implementation by current administration, principals, teachers, and parents alike. Additionally, I would like a plan to be in place that can easily be administered. Students are in school to get an education, as
opposed to being preoccupied with status symbols, popularity, and other superfluous issues. I understand the students’ desire to express their identity, however, that can be done outside of school. In any career, one must follow the dress code and uniform specified. When we walk into a courtroom we must wear professional attire, teachers must abide by a dress code, etc. I believe the intention of the uniform policy is to provide an easier way of assessing proper dress. I am proposing that the School
>> Board actually supply the uniforms to the students, size the students, and potentially profit from the uniform program. These profits would allow the school board to provide free uniforms to less fortunate families. I would also encourage that once students leave the Alachua County school system to donate their gently used uniforms for future students.
Do you support/oppose tenure modification to require performance accountability to tenured teachers? SUPPORT
Would you support/oppose removing/privatizing the $4 million dollar summer school programs?
OPPOSE
Do you support/oppose requiring Home Educators to be certified by the state to teach their children?
Support- only if those home educators met the state-wide teaching criteria for educators
Do you support/oppose Planned Parenthood’s Healthy Teen Program? SUPPORT
Do you support/oppose the distribution of birth control to students without parental notification? OPPOSE
Do you support/oppose school assisted abortions for minors without parental notification?
OPPOSE
Do you support/oppose teaching sex education to elementary school students? OPPOSE
Do you support/oppose Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual and Transgender diversity instruction/promotion in elementary schools? SUPPORT
Do you support/oppose voluntary Christian based programs in public schools like Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Christian Youth in Action? SUPPORT
Do you regularly attend a local church? Yes No
May I ask which one? St. Augustine Catholic Church & St.Patrick’s Interparish Catholic School _______
List the Top 2 Issues that you will address as a member of the School Board?
1. Fiscal Responsibility
2. Community Support/Symbiotic Relationship between the schools and
its community.
4Rick Nesbit
1. Would you have supported/opposed the new uniform mandate?
I would have opposed the new mandate based on the fact that no evidence was presented that the new policy would have improved academic performance or behavior.
2. Do you support/oppose tenure modification to require performance accountability to tenured teachers?
I support reforming the system in an effort to increase performance while balancing the need to protect teachers from unreasonable dismissal. I support efforts to remove ineffective teachers identified by administrators.
3. Would you support/oppose removing/privatizing the $4 million dollar summer school programs?
I oppose privatization of summer school. I am afraid it would lead to higher costs and less accountability..
4. Do you support/oppose requiring Home Educators to be certified by the state to teach their children?
I support Home Schools’ exemption from certification requirements as long as home schooled students continue to pass the required state tests for graduation.
5. Do you support/oppose Planned Parenthood’s Healthy Teen Program?
I support the Healthy Teen Program which allows Florida Schools to receive state funding to provide information on sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS and pregnancy.
6. Do you support/oppose the distribution of birth control to students without parental notification?
Alachua County Public Schools do not distribute birth control to students.
7. Do you support/oppose school assisted abortions for minors without parental notification?
Alachua County Public Schools play no role in abortion decisions.
8. Do you support/oppose teaching sex education to elementary school students?
I support age appropriate, medically accurate sex education for all students in order to combat the serious problem of sexually transmitted disease and the 200 pregnancies of teens in our county last year.
9. Do you support/oppose Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual and Transgender diversity instruction/promotion in elementary schools?
Alachua County Public Schools do not discriminate nor do they promote any lifestyle. I support diversity and tolerance at all age levels.
10. Do you support/oppose voluntary Christian based programs in public schools like Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Christian Youth in Action?
I support voluntary clubs in public schools as a way to connect students to their community.
11. Do you regularly attend a local church?
Yes
May I ask which one?
I am independent spiritually, but I visit churches to connect with the community.
12. List the Top 2 Issues that you will address as a member of the School Board?
Increasing the graduation rate and decreasing the drop-out rate
Reducing waste of all kinds in the schools and using the savings to increase teacher pay.
5Gunnar Paulson
1. Would you have supported/opposed the new uniform mandate?
I have stated consistently I would have voted against the uniform policy.
2. Do you support/oppose tenure modification to require performance accountability to tenured teachers?
Actually we don’t have tenure. Alachua County teachers have due process. Only two counties actually have tenure and that is Duval and Volusia. That being said, I have already signed off on School Improvement grants for 3 schools and also Race To The Top from the federal gov’t for the entire school district before I retired on June 30. Both of these require new appraisal instruments that are being developed with more emphasis on student performance. They will decide whether teachers keep tenure or receive it in the first place so modifications are already being put into place.
3. Would you support/oppose removing/privatizing the $4 million dollar summer school programs?
I am not sure about what you mean about the $4 million summer school program. Presently we have a very limited summer school program and I am opposed to privatizing it.
4. Do you support/oppose requiring Home Educators to be certified by the state to teach their children?
I am opposed to Home Educators being certified. I do feel strongly that strong accountability measures need to be in check to make sure these students do demonstrate a sufficient knowledge of the subjects required of all students. They deserve that much.
5. Do you support/oppose Planned Parenthood’s Healthy Teen Program?
I do support a planned parenthood program.
6 & 7 Do you support/oppose the distribution of birth control to students without parental notification? Do you support/oppose school assisted abortions for minors without parental notification?
I don’t understand why these questions are in here. I checked with other people and public schools are not in the business of distributing birth control and certainly not in assisting abortions.
8. Do you support/oppose teaching sex education to elementary school students?
Sex education programs are already in place. Of course they must be age appropriate. It my understanding that at the elementary level a student can opt out if their parent is in opposition and I can certainly understand that.
9. Do you support/oppose Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual and Transgender diversity instruction/promotion in elementary schools?
This question is another one that prompted me to what to talk to you. There are no programs that teach training for any individual group and I haven’t come across anyone supporting such an idea.
10. Do you support/oppose voluntary Christian based programs in public schools like Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Christian Youth in Action?
As I wrote you before, I sponsored Fellowship of Christian Athletes when I was coaching.
11. Do you regularly attend a local church?
I go to church and Sunday School every Sunday. I haven’t been going back on Sunday nights and Wed nights, but that might improve after the election.
12. I am a member at Northwest Baptist and have been for many years.
List the Top 2 Issues that you will address as a member of the School Board?
I stated in the paper my two top items is A- The survival of our public school system. I am afraid we will lose local control of our school board.. Our state legislature and Dept of Education wants to mandate everything and I mean everything. We know what is best for our community. B- The top individual item is making sure we increase our graduation rate. We can do this by keeping the fine college preparation programs we have, improve our vocational education programs for the 37% of our students who are not going to college or not enrolled in vocational programs.
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