Chestertown, Maryland

KENT COUNTY SCHOOL STUFF

The Kent County Teachers Association MSEA and NEA have asked all candidates running for the Kent County Board of Education to answer the following questions:

1. What structural changes, if any, would you support that could connect the bargaining authority with the fiscal authority? (e.g. fiscal independence for the school board, bargaining with the fiscal authority directly, participation of the county commission in the board of education’s bargaining team).

2. Once a negotiated agreement has been reached between the Board of Education and the local association what do you feel is the obligation of the commission to fund it?

3. What ideas would you advocate for ensuring that the County attracts and retains a highly qualified education force?

4. Do you favor collective bargaining rights for public employees?

5. What are the two most serious problems facing the County? How will you deal with them? What specific solution would you offer?

6. What are two of the greatest problems affecting the school system? How do you see yourself playing a part in solving these problems?

7. Why are you running for the School Board?

8. What aspect(s) of the county’s public school system do you feel is/are the most positive?

9. What aspect(s) of the county’s public school system do you feel need(s) the most improvement?

10. In order to receive its full share of state funding, counties are required to fund the schools at a rate no lower than the last year’s per pupil cost. Because of the recession, some are advocating changing that requirement to allow counties to reduce local funding for schools. Would you support granting a waiver for local education funding?

11. The new federal department of Education is insisting on substantial reforms in an attempt to provide each child with an opportunity to learn. USDE is tying student progress to teacher evaluations and encouraging differentiated pay for hard to staff schools and for teachers teaching science, technology, English and mathematics. Do you agree with the reforms the USDE is using as criteria for additional federal aid?

12. General Issues - where do you stand on the following issues (oppose or support):
A. Public Aid to private schools (vouchers).
B. Increased funding for Special Education.
C. Background checks for current employees.
D. Merit pay schemes.
E. Full time Librarian/Media Specialist.
F. Fare share/representation fee.
G. Direct involvement of the County Commission in negotiations.
H. Censorship of materials for classroom and/or library use.
I. Full time nurse in each school.
J. Funding to extend the pre-K program.
K. Regular salary upgrades for classified employees.