Compiled By Jesse Wood
Oct. 10, 2014. Six candidates are running for three seats on the Watauga County Board of Education, and High Country Press recently asked five questions to the candidates for school board.
- While the school board race is nonpartisan, what is your political affiliation?
- Why are you running for this office?
- What are the most important issues facing Watauga County Schools – and public education in North Carolina in general?
- What are your thoughts on the book challenge last year?
- Do you have any criticisms of the current board’s actions or policies? If so, what are they and why.
See their entire statements below in order of how their names appear on the ballot.
Jason K. Cornett
Occupation: 15 years in law enforcement serving as patrol officer and criminal investigator.
1. While the school board race is nonpartisan, what is your political affiliation?
I am a registered Republican and have been so registered since I turned 18. Most importantly, I am a Christian holding onto conservative and moral values.
2. Why are you running for this office?
Too often people choose to complain about issues that arise and seemingly too few are willing to get involved and make an attempt at resolving them. My entire career has been centered around problem solving and working through situations, good and bad, focusing on coming to a conclusion that is best for all parties involved. It is my highest responsibility to be an active advocate for my son and be willing to take on the challenges faced on the Board of Education. I believe there needs to be a strong parental presence on the school board and I am willing to work hard for our young people.
3. What are the most important issues facing Watauga County Schools – and public education in North Carolina in general?
Funding is seemingly at the top of the list, from salaries to supplies; among others are areas of concern. It is important to understand the limitations of School Board responsibilities while at the same time board members working together to be creative in doing what we can. All funding must be used wisely.
School safety is an ever-present issue. I believe it is important that we place emphasis in this area, staying ahead, and not just meeting a minimum requirement. What price do we place on the safety of our children? I am interested in exploring the possibility of School Resource Officers being placed in each of our schools or at least more presence as funding will allow. I find through experience that educational/awareness programming, (Community Policing), is extremely beneficial to students, staff, teachers, administrators, and the community alike.
I want to express here that I am thankful for what is currently being done right. We have an abundantly successful educational system in Watauga County and we have much to be thankful for. I would like to work further for balance and be a strong representative for our families and children.
4. What are your thoughts on the book challenge last year?
I have expressed my thoughts openly on many occasions and am willing to do so again. I believe most already know my stance. I would have voted against the book due to the inappropriate context. The writing was of a sensational nature and fictional, not that of actual historical account. The movie based on the book is rated R and those in the class would not be eligible by age to go to the theater to view the film. Where do we draw the line in what is appropriate and what is not? If this literature is appropriate, then what is not? A scale or rating system would seem helpful when dealing with public education curriculum materials. I fully understand this is a sensitive subject and respect the passion people hold to their beliefs.
5. Do you have any criticisms of the current board’s actions or policies? If so, what are they and why.
While I find that I have not agreed with some of the outcomes of recent School Board decisions, I do not find it necessary to criticize. The past couple of years have taken a toll on our school system in various ways and it is imperative that we move forward. School Board policies are in the revision process which is projected to continue for the next couple of years. Instead of expressing criticism I would rather play an active role in the revision process. With the appointment of WCS Superintendent, Dr. Scott Elliot, and the upcoming Board of Education election, I feel we have the opportunity to build on what is being done right and work on issues that need attention. It is my goal to place effort into being a part of the solution(s). I desire your vote and want to go to work for our families and children.
Jay Fenwick
Occupation: Professor of Computer Science at Appalachian State Univ.
1. While the school board race is nonpartisan, what is your political affiliation?
I believe in government that works for the betterment of everyone, and I am registered as a Democrat.
2. Why are you running for this office?
I am running for the Board of Education because for 15 years I have been an active member in our school system in a wide variety of capacities and I want to bring these voices to the board. I have been a volunteer parent going on field trips, participating in Christmas plays, painting schools, and working booths at Fall Festivasl. I served on the Green Valley PTA for about 10 years including treasurer and president. As a 7-year board member of the Watauga Education Foundation, including two years as president, I had the great fortune to become involved with all of our county’s schools as well as with the administration at the central office. In addition, I have offered my computing expertise to our schools by organizing summer computing workshops for area teachers and teaching classes at many of our schools. I have also worked with after-school clubs, and done one-on-one mentoring with students. I believe this range of voices: volunteer, parent, PTA member, foundation member, and student mentor that speak across a range of fronts: in the classroom, in the teacher lounge, and in the administration offices can be a valuable asset to the board.
3. What are the most important issues facing Watauga County Schools – and public education in North Carolina in general?
Public education in North Carolina is, to be honest, under assault. Years of dramatic funding cuts have resulted in larger classes, lack of textbooks, and drastic reductions in teacher assistants. There has been disrespectful treatment of teachers and staff, increased attempts at the privatization of education, and the siphoning of public funds for private education. So, one important issue facing Watauga schools is ensuring adequate resources to educate our children for success in their future.
In spite of the state-level treatment of public education however, our local schools continue to be beacons of achievement. SAT scores of WHS seniors were #2 of all public schools in NC last year. The WHS graduation rate last year was an all-time high. End-of-grade tests in 3rd, 5th, and 8th grades significantly exceeded state averages in all subject areas. Our students receive top accolades in music, math, auto tech, essay writing, and many other endeavors.
The school board’s challenge is to maintain this success. And success starts with our teachers. Teachers, like most people, work best in a stable environment where they are respected and valued. However, the school board and administration have undergone significant personnel changes the past several years. Also, legislation and policy mandates continue to shift the landscape of curriculum and instruction, almost on a yearly basis. We need to provide teachers and students a stable environment conducive to learning.
As I have campaigned this year knocking on doors and calling voters, a number of other specific issues have come up consistently. Some of these include: several schools that are starting to show their age and needing renovations, pre-K in more schools, and more online course options for gifted middle schoolers.
4. What are your thoughts on the book challenge last year?
I attended the public sessions discussing this issue and I also read the book myself. And, I was saddened to see our community divided like that. I respect the family’s decision to seek an alternative and to appeal as allowed by school policy. I also respect the difficult task of teaching critical reading skills that are so important for our students to master. I think the board majority decision provides for greater parental choice in curricular decisions.
5. Do you have any criticisms of the current board’s actions or policies? If so, what are they and why.
I want to thank the members of the current board. I believe they have acted in good conscience for what they think is best for our children. Decisions are based on lots of information and often cut across multiple core values. Not having the same information as they did makes me wary to criticize too strongly. However, I’m not a big fan of the policy regarding random drug testing of student athletes. There are numerous points of failure possible with the reputation of a child in the balance. There is no substitute for the watchful presence of responsible and caring adults, parents, and coaches.
Ron Henries – Incumbent
Occupation: Retired Principal from Watauga County Schools. Currently teaching in the Reich College of Education at Appalachian State University. Reading Education/Special Education.
1. While the school board race is nonpartisan, what is your political affiliation?
This is a non-partisan race. My political affiliation is Republican.
2. Why are you running for this office?
I have been in public schools for the past 41 years. First as a teacher, as an Assistant Principal, a Principal, a supervisor of student teachers, and as a school board member. I believe that the future of our country depends on our children getting a quality public school education. We need people on the school board that understands education law and board policy.
3. What are the most important issues facing Watauga County Schools – and public education in North Carolina in general?
Important issues include keeping our technology up to date, reducing the dropout rate, revising the Board of Education Policy Manual, providing adequate numbers and quality teachers to meet student needs, and working cooperatively with the Board of County Commissioners to provide the necessary resources so all of ou students will receive a quality education.
4. What are your thoughts on the book challenge last year?
Book challenge: I was involved with the challenge of the book “House of Spirits” as a board of education member for about five months. After receiving hundreds of calls, e-mails, and personal conversations, I decided to affirm the two previous committee recommendations to leave the book in the classroom. I have stated repeatedly that I do not like the book. But there are many books that I personally don’t care for. The biggest myth about the book is that the board was asked to ban the book. The board was not asked to ban this book. We were asked to remove the book from 10th grade honors English class because the parent did not think it should be on a list that she believed to be a required reading list. After listening to all parties, I concluded that students had alternatives to reading the book. The motion voted on by the board of education was to remove the book from the class and put it back in the library. This action would not have banned the book or limited access to the book by students. It would still be available to students in the library, on the alternative reading list, and the summer reading list. The only thing passing this motion would accomplish would be to prohibit a teacher from explaining this book to students. I personally believe that students benefit from having the instruction of a teacher and do need that professional assistance when reading a controversial book.
5. Do you have any criticisms of the current board’s actions or policies? If so, what are they and why.
During the past two years the board of education has met many challenges. One of the most significant of these has been to restore the confidence of our teachers, parents, and community in our school system. With the help of a great central office staff and with help of our new superintendent, I believe we are on track to make significant progress. We have also started a new cycle with our 1 to 1 computer initiative which will help our students for the next five years.
I am proud of the 41 years I have spent in K-12 public education. Having served two terms on the board of education has been an honor and a privilege.
Ronny Holste
Occupation: CCC&TI Instructor
1. While the school board race is nonpartisan, what is your political affiliation?
I am a registered Democrat
2. Why are you running for this office?
Watauga County is a great place to raise a family. Gina and I feel blessed to be a part of such a wonderful area. I have always wanted to find a way to give back to this great community. With my knowledge as a community college teacher, my previous experience working with the Western Youth Network (WYN), and my compassion for public education made the decision to campaign for the Board of Education an easy one.
If you have taken any time in the last couple of years to listen to the radio, turn on the TV or computer, or opened a newspaper, you realize that public education is in a state of transition. Locally, we have experienced, with all other counties in NC, intense state-level budget cuts to schools that limit school supplies and other needed materials to our students, state mandated and often overzealous standardized testing of our youth, and state cuts to a Pre-K program that is so vital to the success of students. Although all of these issues may seem to be out of the reach of the local boards of education, it is still within the local school boards control to respond in a way that supports continued growth of our local communities and schools. On a personal note, I am “all in” to support teachers, students, and parents.
3. What are the most important issues facing Watauga County Schools – and public education in North Carolina in general?
First, student education is paramount moving forward. A friend of mine once said, “youth are not our future…they are our present.” We must empower them to become leaders and harness their energy to shape our educational future. How we incorporate and utilize students today will only make us stronger as a community and a society. I believe that students should be meaningful contributors in shaping the policy and procedures the new board will need to complete. Providing a voice for students on new and existing policies around bullying, drugs and alcohol, and ethics only makes sense. By obtaining student support and buy-in on school policy is a “win-win” situation for all. Middle and high school students will gain knowledge and understanding on how policy is made (which will be extremely important for them going forward) and schools will gain a reasonable and fair manual that should benefit and consider all students.
Second, the local school system must find a way to support and boost morale for educators and administrators. In a time when public education feels “under fire” by the state legislature, it is extremely important for the local boards to continue to find innovative and “local” ways to energize and boost the morale of our teachers. They need to know that their school board has “their back” when the going gets tough and that their voice matters. Teachers/administrators are the backbone of the education system. Both deserve our support and praise, especially when the state and national culture is blaming our teachers for being “the problem,” when in fact, they are the solution. Most teachers spend 45-60 hours a week supporting our children’s educational development. It just seems backwards and wrong those teachers feel they are under appreciated. May we reverse and heal this most recent trend.
Third, it is vital that parents feel they are being “heard” and that they have a choice when their student is involved. I applaud our current Board for offering “public conversations” with local schools and parents during the 2012/2013 school year. However, it would be my charge that this dialog continues indefinitely. Parents and students need to know that their school board representatives are listening and coming to them, not just through a “public comment” at a monthly meeting. When issues arise in the schools it is vital that parents and students feel they can communicate with the board about their concerns and feel that those concerns are being addressed.
4. What are your thoughts on the book challenge last year?
Parents deserve a choice when it comes to the growth and learning of their children. Isabel Allende’s “House of the Spirit,” was a title on the beginning of the year syllabus and an alternative text was offered. By providing parents options, we empower them to make the best choice for their child, while encouraging greater involvement in schools and the community. May we continue to support this dialog so that it will create strength in our community.
5. Do you have any criticisms of the current board’s actions or policies? If so, what are they and why.
I applaud any citizen who stands to take part in the civic duty to serve our public education system. Thank you for your leadership and service.
Kurt D. Michael
Occupation: Clinical Psychologist
1. While the school board race is nonpartisan, what is your political affiliation?
Independent, Unaffiliated
2. Why are you running for this office?
To give back to a school system that has given so richly to my family over the past 15 years.
3. What are the most important issues facing Watauga County Schools – and public education in North Carolina in general?
Reduced or cuts in funding for public schools in NC;
Reduction or elimination of incentives and rewards for good teaching;
Attack on the credibility of teachers and staff, including unfair allocation of public dollars, unnecessary micromanagement of resource allocation decisions, and assaults on academic freedom.
4. What are your thoughts on the book challenge last year?
It brought to light, some issues around the administration of school policies and procedures, some philosophic divides in the community, and how some decisions are overly politicized. Furthermore, it highlighted how it is hazardous and not helpful to make decisions based primarily on emotions versus decisions based on a careful discourse with school and community constituents using accurate depictions of data. It is my hope that when we encounter such “hot button” issues in the future it will not take 5 months to resolve and that the manner in which it is resolved with come about from a thoughtful discussion ending in compromise.
5. Do you have any criticisms of the current board’s actions or policies? If so what are they and why?
Not specifically; but I would encourage much more dialogue between opposing viewpoints that are based on data and a wish that there was much more transparency and accountability between the community and the school board.
Adam Trivette
Trivette didn’t respond to questions. Here is his Facebook page, however.
You must be logged in to post a comment.