The strength is in its staffing. We're working with a great group of people, and everything is for the best of the kids. It's very refreshing to see people with such a commitment.
What do you think the school system needs to work on?
One of the things I want to work on is improving communications, not just on what's presented at the board meetings. I'm interested to see if a parent has a problem, how fast someone responds to them. ... The school system is viewed as unresponsive, and that's something I want to change.
I also want the communication improved between elected officials, the board and the school staff, to open up more of a dialogue of what we're doing and why we're doing it.
The school board has been criticized and called a "rubber stamp" of the superintendent. What do you think of that?
I don't understand what they're saying. Not everyone votes for everything the same way. If it's right for the kids, then we're going to move forward with it.
Just the other night, the board voted to get a sixth-grade class for RAACS [Restoration Alternative Academy Charter School] - this was not [among] the superintendent's recommendations. So there goes that rubber stamp.
We also modify the budget, change the budget and move money around. We are not a rubber stamp.
The elected versus appointed school board has been a contentious issue in the county. How do you think school board members should get their positions?
If you have an elected board, is it going to be that much better? They'll answer to the people who got them voted into office, and that worries me. The school board has to balance enrollment. If the members are elected, are they going to do what's right for all the kids or do what your constituents want you to do?
I believe that if people want an elected board, it should go to a referendum. I'll stay out of it.
madison.park@baltsun.com
