An election year means many are looking forward and the future of education was the focus Saturday, when local candidates participated in a forum with USD 490 school district to express their goals for education in the area.
After a welcome from the USD 490 Board of Education and a recognition of the board and NEA members in attendance, MC for the event, Jackie Clark introduced the candidates. Those individuals included state senate candidate Peter DeVries, state representative John Grange, state representative candidate Dr. Sarah Johnston, state school board candidate Paul Cassanova and state school board candidate David Dennis.
Clark began fielding questions for the candidates.
The candidates took turns responding in a cycling order.
One question concerning changes they would like to see considered for the No Child Left Behind Act with reauthorization coming up soon was posed.
DeVries said that he believes reducing class sizes would be an important change to meet the goals of that act.
“We need to make sure the students are getting as much individual attention as they can to be as successful as possible,” he said.
Another question pointed out Kansas’ educator salaries.
They are in the bottom half of the nation, a large percentage of teachers are within five years of retirement and enrollment in education programs is declining.
One audience member asked the candidates what they would do to curb those problems and stimulate youth interest in the teaching field as a career.
Grange addressed the question first.
He said that it was important to note the effects of cost of living on the teacher pay rates, with the lower cost of living in the area being proportionately responsible for the lower pay compared to other areas.
Grange didn’t feel where pay rates rest is right, however.
“Just because that’s the way it is doesn’t make it fair for our teachers,” Grange said.
He expressed interest in looking at the different options available, particularly setting up some sort of incentive program that would kick in after a teacher’s fifth year to encourage them to stay in the profession.
Johnston said there were a number of key area that should be closely looked after toward making teaching a sought career, including good compensation, mentoring of youth, leadership and establishing a safe work environment.
She said that the generally safe environment set up in the district is all the more reason to not let the guard down.
“Safety is one of those issues that can be easy to underestimate but we can’t afford to,” Johnston said.
Cassanova advocated revising the current process.
He wants to make the process of becoming a teacher easier.
This would be an immediate first step that would attract more to the field.
“We have plenty of qualified people out there ready to take these jobs, but this system discourages them and we need to fix that,” Cassanova said.
Dennis brought up the Professional Development Program among others and the success they’ve had enhancing resources and skill building opportunities to attract people to teaching positions.
Another question concerned the district’s priorities of student achievement, communication and safety.
The candidates were asked how they would help the district reach those goals.
Grange said that because of the constantly changing demands the field of education entails, he would intend to work closely with the district and take recommendations from staff throughout the area to prioritize needs as they affect the district.
Johnston stated that she wants to make sure that district staff members are given a key role in that decision-making process in order to effectively address their needs.
She added that she stood firmly opposed to district consolidations, pointing to the economic climate as well as safety issues wanting to avoid unnecessarily burdening citizens with extra travel demands in the process of helping their children get an education.
Cassanova said under his position he would make sure to listen to feedback from people and the rest of the board in determining what can be achieved. He would then use that knowledge to work toward addressing the most important issues at the time.
Dennis said the potential for improvement in those three areas should be a focus for anyone working in leadership with education right now and would be a focus of his.
DeVries complimented the district for the student-centric focus of those goals and said he would be interested in exploring a number of options to find the best solution for those problems, with a particular focus toward safety.
At the end of the forum, the candidates gave closing remarks encouraging the district support.
Johnston referenced the many challenges involved with education as another reason this year’s election would be critical and vowed to work toward resolving the districts concerns.
“I promise I will truly represent our interests as a community,” she said.
Cassonova said education has always been a high priority to him and would demonstrate that personal concern if elected, including boosting efforts in early childhood development.
Dennis noted that character is an important quality in choosing the right person for an elected position and promised he would bring leadership and courage to the position he seeks.
DeVries emphasized that his love of El Dorado was the main factor in encouraging him to run and would love the chance to work for the people and future of the community he calls home.
Grange said the issues with education are issues that transcend party lines and are about something more important. He said he would bring a comprehensive approach to addressing those issues if re-elected, noting his experience both with the position and prior to that in the education field in encouraging voting for him.
Finally Clark thanked everyone for coming and closed the meeting. Many in attendance remained afterward to talk to the candidates, who addressed more specific concerns.
