New faces abound for city school board

FLORENCE - Significant change is coming to the Florence school board later this year, with four of six board seats being vacated by members who are not seeking re-election.

Board members Vicky Kirkman in District 1 and Tom Wissert in District 4 are the only board members who will return. Neither has opposition in the Aug. 26 city election.

In District 3, MaLeah Chaney is unopposed.

Winners of the city election will take office in November and serve four-year terms.

Candidates have varying opinions about the key issues and ideas they want to present should they be elected.

Candidate Jim Lake said there's a growing need for tutoring and remediation for struggling students.

"I would push for those students in need of help with basic skills to get it," he said. "The system is falling somewhat short in that area now.

Children who don't qualify for the more intensive (remediation programs) - but who are struggling all the same - need help."

Lake, 61, does freelance technical theater work, has worked in the fine arts areas, and has been an assistant teacher in summer school sessions for Florence schools.

"The school board can only approve or reject the superintendent's recommendations, but I would love to work toward increasing funding for the arts," Lake said. "Research studies have shown that children involved in the arts do better academically."

Lake's opponent, Bill Jordan, is the father of two young children. He said quality education is important to all parents. He lists continuing the smooth transition with school consolidation as an important issue. Florence schools went through a consolidation plan four years ago that involved merging Bradshaw and Coffee high schools among other realignments.

"The school board did a wonderful job transitioning during that time and it's important for kids to feel that same consistency," Jordan said.

"Uniting the community with one high school continues to be an important issue because cohesiveness in the community is vitally important. The school board can be a leader on that front."

Jordan was complimentary of the district's academic program, saying it is second to none in the area of educating the honor students but "we really need to be aware of those students in the middle, the ones who have to work a little harder."

Jordan said there will be different personalities represented on any board but insists that shouldn't be a problem. "Personalities really shouldn't have a place on this board because our focus has to be to work together for the good of the students."

Florence police Capt. Barry Brewer and retired Florence teacher Laura Hardeman seek the position.

Brewer, 47, said his experience as a former school resource officer in Florence provides insight into many student issues, the most important of which he said is safety.

"We already have safe schools, but safety and security can always be improved," Brewer said. "School resource officers can do a lot in schools, and I want parents to have the fullest confidence when they drop their children off at school that they'll be safe and secure. Parents deserve to know that. Education and safety go hand in hand."

Brewer also said he wants to focus on improving the graduation rate.

"I'm a product of the Florence school system, and I realize it's a problem when the graduation rate is only 68 percent," he said. "I also know that being proactive in decreasing the dropout rate is essential. Instructional programs should be priority. It's like the television commercial says, 'everyone goes professional at something.' Academics has to be a priority so our students will have success in college or the workplace."

Hardeman, 67, said she's tired of seeing public education taking a beating and she wants to be on the school board to be an advocate.

"I'm concerned there are mandates placed on school districts that aren't funded," Hardeman said.

Just as she was required to be creative in teaching elementary school students for 35 years, she said that same creative thinking must be a part of the school board.

"More and more is placed on the classroom teacher, with no (responsibilities) ever taken away," Hardeman said.

She also considers the budgeting process vitally important because of the necessity of balancing personnel and program expenditures. "The curriculum obviously affects the students, and we have to look at (the budget) from all angles."

In the District 6 race, Florence businessman Jim Fisher faces Florence council member Angie Pickens, whose city position ends in November.

Both candidates have children attending Florence school, something that has been lacking on the school board in recent years.

"The board in the past hasn't been in touch with the current student population because they've not had kids in it," she said.

Pickens, 45, described herself as an experienced problem-solver and said her degree in counseling and passion for education make her uniquely qualified.

"I'm coming at this from a mother's perspective," Pickens said. "I love education and want children to love it. As a member of the board, I'll want people to question things, and I don't want to be a rubber stamp. I'm just a mom who wants the school system to improve."

Displeased with the district's 68 percent graduation rate, she said the board needs to "look at what programs aren't being offered in our system."

Listening to the teachers who work daily with the students is important, she said.

"We all have to work together to correct the problems. I'm tired of people pulling their kids out of our schools and going elsewhere," she said. "I want to help make this system one that provides incentive to bring in businesses, and we certainly need accountability on how money is spent."

Fisher, 46, said his youngest son has four more years in Florence schools. He added that as an involved parent, being on the school board would allow him to contribute even more to the district as a whole and the community.

"I'm very interested in science and technology, and there are many national trends, especially in science literacy, that I don't like seeing," Fisher said. "I don't like seeing our literacy rates, in general, going south. I figure I could sit back and fuss about it or get involved."

As the owner of a computer technology business, Fisher said he could share his expertise in that area, especially given the fact that "one of the biggest expenditures in the system is for technology."

Fisher said it wouldn't be his job as a board member to be a rubber stamp, but he would rely on the district's strong leadership.

"There are some fantastic leaders in our district, and I see the board members as a body designed to determine policy," he said.

Lisa Singleton-Rickman can be reached at 740-5735 or lisa.singleton-rickman@TimesDaily.com.