Candidates field questions at school board forum

Fulton School Board candidates had the opportunity to answer questions posed by educators at a public forum sponsored by the Fulton Community Teachers Association (FCTA) on Wednesday night.

Candidates Verdis Lee Sr., Alethea Dzurick, Clay Caswell, Rodney K. Latty and Andy Bonderer addressed a small crowd as they answered questions covering the needs of students, funding for Fulton Public Schools, salaries and benefits for district employees, and the general role of school board members.

The candidates were given two minutes for their answers, the first of which sought their view of the district's biggest challenge in the next five-10 years.

Lee felt getting kids to stay in school and reach graduation was the biggest challenge. Bonderer said parent involvement was a major issue, while Dzurick felt the need for the district to build high expectations for itself. Latty looked down the road to see decreased state funding would be of issue to the now stable budget, while Caswell noted the aging facilities and the need to raise salaries for faculty and staff.

All candidates spoke to the importance of transparency and communication when addressing issues in public, while four-year board member Bonderer and 15-year member Latty noted there are times when board members are unable to speak as openly as they would like because of privacy issues.

Candidates were also asked to explain their views on balancing the roles of the superintendent and the board. Latty began by saying it is the superintendent's job to do as the board wishes, and his performance is measured for accountability each year like anyone else. Bonderer stated there must be a strong relationship between the board and the superintendent, but ultimately, he acts on the behalf of the board.

Lee felt there should be enough cooperation and understanding between the two that there should be no drastic differences in their decisions, and Caswell agreed there must be trust in the relationship. However, he also felt the board should be able to ask the superintendent to justify the decisions he makes. Dzurick, too, stated teamwork is essential to put forth the best for the district's students.

Many times during the hour-long exchange, the candidates spoke of keeping student and teacher needs at the forefront of decision-making efforts. Asked how they would empower teachers, all candidates agreed on the necessity of getting teachers the tools they need to do their jobs. They agreed morale is of utmost importance.

As to the importance of looking to area districts to gauge competitive wages, everyone agreed FPS must stay competitive to attract and keep the best educators in the district.

But, Bonderer also cautioned against competing with districts that depend on funds generated by local tax dollars based on infrastructures different than what is here locally, noting South Callaway has the nuclear plant. (See clarification below.)

The budget, in general, was also discussed. Bonderer and Latty have experience behind them and spoke to the matter of experience breeding understanding. Caswell, who works for the city of Fulton, and Dzurick, who works with OATS Transportation, also noted their own backgrounds when working with large budgets. Lee admitted to not having worked with a large budget, but he said he owns a small business and understands the need to make smart decisions with the dollars that are available.

All candidates agreed that a bond issue would be inevitable and public input was essential to directing those dollars where they would be needed most.

Registered voters residing within the Fulton Public Schools district will be elect two candidates on April 5 to serve three-year terms on the Fulton School Board.

_

Clarification: The wording of this story may have incorrectly suggested school board candidate Andy Bonderer referenced the nuclear plant in South Callaway when he cautioned against competing with districts that depend on funds generated by local tax dollars based on infrastructures different than what is here locally. Rather, the reference to the nuclear plant was an example of those type of infrastructures that currently exist in Callaway County.