School board hopefuls largely agree at forum

Jackson School Board candidates discussed school board members' roles, No Child Left Behind legislation, counselor workloads, school overcrowding and the practice of hiring retired teachers at a Monday forum. But for the most part, the candidates agreed with one another, making distinguishing the candidates difficult.

All said No Child Left Behind needs revisions, more counselors should be hired if the budget allows, a new elementary school is most likely inevitable and the best teacher for a position should be hired. Voters will choose three out of the five candidates April 8.

The first question asked of candidates pertained to the perceived role of school board members.

The three incumbents, Mack Illers, Dr. T. Wayne Lewis and Terri Tomlin, clearly listed the board's role as setting policy, approving the budget and hiring the superintendent.

For the two newcomers, their vision was less outlined. Bruce Thomas, a retired teacher and coach, said the main function is setting policy. He said he would like to see staff promoted from within and said staff morale is vital. Scott Wren, assistant manager of emergency services at Saint Francis Medical Center, said he wants to "be more like a cheerleader" for teachers and that "I hope and pray I do the district justice."

When asked if the district, in the wake of No Child Left Behind legislation, meets the needs of all students, including those who are high achieving, Wren said, "I have two really bright children, and one less than the others. If the district can do wonders with my third, they can do wonders for anyone."

Tomlin said the district has added advanced classes at the junior high and high school to challenge higher-achieving students. Illers questioned policy that labels an entire school as failing even if only one subgroup does not reach targets. "Now that's not right," he said, adding that he agrees with the overall concept and goals of the legislation. Lewis acknowledged the targets can be overwhelming for teachers and said that "in reality we are trying to do what we can." Thomas said gifted students "need to have some programs." The district currently offers a pullout program for gifted students.

All the candidates agreed that a counselor-to-student ratio at the high school of 1 to 400 is too high, but said more could only be hired if the budget supported it. Illers said students need to do their part and turn paperwork in on time. Wren said he'd like parents to play a bigger part. Thomas said counselors need to have time to connect with students beyond helping them with scholarships or paperwork.

When asked about district growth, Illers said elementary schools are overcrowded and a new school will need to be built after construction is complete at the high school. "That's inevitable. It's going to happen some day, probably sooner than later," he said.

Lewis said some students are using closets as rooms, some teachers don't have permanent rooms and some classes are spilling over into hallways. Tomlin said the district acquiring property for a new elementary school nine years ago demonstrates forward thinking of the district.

"This community is real giving and understanding. But after the high school, we don't want to come back to back and ask voters to give again too early," Thomas said. Wren said voters will "have to look inside themselves and see they need this" if an issue is brought before them about building a new elementary school.

All the candidates agreed the future will require "creative budgeting." However, Illers said, "No one said we need a big tax increase for that ... We'll cross that bridge when we get to it. We don't want to look for problems."

lbavolek@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123

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