Q&A with school board candidates
Posted on Wednesday, September 3, 2008
FROM STAFF REPORTS With the school board election looming, The Times submitted questions to the two candidates in the contested race, Mark Woollard and Darin Wright. The questions, and the answers, are below. School elections are Sept. 16; early voting commences Sept. 9. Why are you running for school board ?
Mark Woollard: My wife, Charlotte, and I have always had a heart for children and this seemed like an avenue that would allow me to contribute to the kids in Pea Ridge. Having three kids, and through coaching their teams, school functions, church, Optimist Club and other activities, you meet and interact with so many of these kids and they become a part of who you are. I just want to do what I can for them.
Darin Wright: I want to help build a place that our children go to receive a good education and feel safe while they are there. What do you perceive as your role as school board candidate ?
Mark Woollard: I believe the role of any school board member should be to objectively and collectively work to solve the needs and concerns that face our district while ensuring the best educational experience for our kids. The welfare and benefits for our students should always be a main objective.
Darin Wright: As a school board candidate, it is my role to inform the public of what I might be able to contribute to the school board. To whom do you answer ?
Mark Woollard: As a school board member I would answer to the taxpayers of our school district.
Darin Wright: It is just like a business. I feel that the school board member answers to the public, they are the ones who put them in the position. The superintendent answers to the school board and the faculty answers to the superintendent. How do you believe a school board member should respond to questions, comments or complaints from taxpayers, from parents of students ? From teachers ?
Mark Woollard: I know all of us want what is best for our kids. I believe that any input from our parents, taxpayers, teachers and administrators is not only welcome but healthy for us to grow as a school district and as a community.
Darin Wright: Depending on the situation, if there are questions, concerns or complaints from parents or teachers it should be brought to the attention of the principal first and then the superintendent. If there is not a resolution at that point, come to the school board to discuss the matter. If there is a concerned taxpayer that does not have children in the school, feel free to contact the superintendent or attend the school board meeting to discuss your concerns. What is your most important role / function as school board member ?
Mark Woollard: I really see the role of a school board member as being a working arm of our community. Obviously, there are budget constraints, state guidelines, etc., that we all have to adhere to, but at the end of the day, we want to know that we are send ing our kids into the best environment that will give them the absolute best resources to succeed now and in the future.
Darin Wright: As a school board member, it is my role to help make decisions in the best interest of the school and provide a place where the children can receive a good education. With the economic situation, if income decreases and expenses continue to rise, what would you do to meet the needs of the school ?
Mark Woollard: Everyone is feeling the crunch right now. That's a really tricky question because in so many cases, what might benefit the school, may have an adverse effect on our families. I know some discussion has been thrown around concerning seventh-grade athletics. I know as a parent of football players, I would rather see our seventh-grade football team be under the direction of our local youth sports organization for an additional year because I don't feel the school is able to devote the expense manpower to adequately give the kids the experience they deserve. However, having said this, you have to consider other factors before you just jump and do that. Are parents willing to pay for another year of youth sports ? Are other districts (teams you would play ) willing to do this ? Is the local youth sports organizations willing to take this on ? I believe the people in our community really need to pay close attention to these types of issues in the coming times and let their opinions and views be heard.
Darin Wright: If incomes de crease and expenses continue to rise, as school board member it is our job to look at possi bly making internal cutbacks but at the same time meeting the state requirements to provide the proper education for the students. What do you see as the future of the Pea Ridge School District ? How do you see Pea Ridge in 10 years ?
Mark Woollard: Obviously we are growing. I believe that God is blessing our community with good, strong people with family values. I think that our new school buildings are great additions to point to as signs that we are embracing our growth instead of hiding from it. I think the plans for a new stadium on campus is a huge boost for our town and will be tremendous source of community pride when realized. Ten years from now I believe our schools will still be among the best in the state and Pea Ridge will still be a great place to live.
Darin Wright: I see Pea Ridge as a place that will continue to grow. Pea Ridge will be a place that will provide a good education for our children and a school that they will be proud to attend. There has been much discussion this year about a school resource officer. What is your opinion of the program and the need for it ?
Mark Woollard: I think it's a good program. I know there has been some controversy and few barbs flying over this issue lately. I believe that this position should be part of Pea Ridge schools. It is my understanding that the position was contracted out through the police department previously. Who did the officer answer to ? The police chief ? Did the chief answer to the board or did the officer ? I've asked a few people and no ones seems to be sure how that was supposed to work. Nothing against our fine police department or any other outside organization, but I believe this position should be occupied by an employee of Pea Ridge schools who is trained to occupy the position and, in turn, that position answers to one entity. The Pea Ridge School Board.
Darin Wright: I believe the program is a must, after all our first goal is the safety of our children. The resource officer has many tools to use in develthe year. If a teacher is caught with drugs he / she should be terminated. The teachers are there to teach our children and they are supposed to set a good example. What do you think about random drug testing ? For athletes ? For teachers ? For all students and staff ?
Mark Woollard: I think random drug testing is probably too expensive to initiate across the board for all students and staff. However, I am totally in favor of drug testing being done in isolated instances where evidence or suspicion may warrant action.
Darin Wright: I believe there should be a random drug testing policy as well as a No Tolerance for Drugs policy. I believe not only students should be tested but all levels of administration as well. oping different programs to help the teachers as well as the students. What do you believe should be done when a student or teacher is caught with drugs ? Tobacco ?
Mark Woollard: There is no place in our society for drugs, especially our schools. Our current administration currently has a hard-line stance of immediate expulsion (students ) or termination (teachers / administrators ) for drug of fenses that I agree with. I would say that suspensions would be in order for students caught with tobacco on school grounds.
Darin Wright: I believe if a student is caught with drugs for the first time he / she should be suspended for the first offense. For the second offense he / she should be expelled for
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