Questions and Answers

The vision and value I place on a well-educated student.

Having worked most of my life in the Information Technology industry, I see how the 21st century classroom benefits both the student and teacher.

That taxpayer’s money is spent prudently and effectively.

That the systems infrastructure is maintained and is safe.

That the learning environment is safe and secure.

I have read the highlights of these policies and most seem to be common sense, which leads me to believe that the Administration has not kept pace with the needs of the workforce.

I do have an objection to policy #16. I would have opposed this policy because it opens up appearance to uncontrolled usage. What constitutes an earring, how many can you have in one ear, would a Nazi symbol be acceptable. Does it open up to nose rings, lip rings, or eyebrow rings?

I look at this policy as one that adds no value to the learning process. The Teacher is the authoritarian and appearance does affect this position of authority.

What do you mean by quality? Do you mean knowledge of their job, their skills, their human relations ability, their openness and transparency, their support in conflict situations.

As in business, you select a person based on their skills and if they meet the defined specifications of the job. I am well aware that friendships can have a bias to this process and I have heard that it does happen within the system. I understand when someone who is tasked with filling a position that is a report, the tendency is to favor someone you know or have worked with. I don’t know that this bias can ever be eliminated from the process, but there can be measurement safeguards in place to minimize it.

Two graduated from Walton High School and two graduated from Pope High School.

I have one granddaughter in elementary school (3rd grade).

I have two grandsons who will be starting in a few years.

Yes.

I firmly believe that the Cobb County School System should be the number one place people want to work. If it is not now, then it can be.

Hire the best, keep the standards high.

Equip and train teachers with tools that enhance their ability to convey a vast amount of knowledge to the student.

Teach deductive learning. People have always said that I will never use Algebra in real life. That is a false conclusion and totally untrue. Maybe not in the process of solving equations, but it does make you think and develop processes to solve an equation. This learned processed is used every day in our decision process.

Institute an elective course on Money Management. I am a fan of Dave Ramsey and I believe that students should learn the pitfalls of money management that he teaches. As Dave states, most marriages end because of money issues. If students are taught anything it should a least be how to management money and avoid the money traps. Money management is something that will be with us all of our lives and is the one thing that is taught the least.

Offer monetary incentives to stay if a teacher is near retirement.

Offer reduce workload for those who want to continue to teach, but do not want to be in the school all day. This may be due to new mothers or those near retirement. As long as there are shortages, then the System must be innovative in how it meets its workforce needs.

Provide tools that help eliminate tasks that are repetitive.

SPLOST III

Eliminating classroom trailers.

Defining a school policy for the school year, not one that changes ever few years.

Define the criteria that will be used whenever re-districting is required.

Traditional vs. Block scheduling.

Contacted the print media announcing my candidacy.

Contacted homeowners to obtain permission to place a yard sign in their yard.

Starting the fundraising process.

Not a lot of in-depth knowledge, but from what I understand its concept is worthy, its implementation lacking, and its funding dismal.

I would have to have a better understanding of the current policy, but I don’t see any reason not to specify these items in a contract as long as they do not affect the learning process of the student.

I also question the need for annual contracts. My view is when a person becomes an employee; they are there for life. The only reason for this to change is if the employee wishes to terminate or is not performing at expectation. I believe that there are or can be policies in place that safeguards the employee’s rights and redress, just as there are in the business world.

Yes

If these duties are not specified in the employee’s job description, then it should be their choice to perform these duties (with compensation) or that it be only temporary.

I sense that this could be seen as demeaning to a professional and I believe that there are plenty of people who would like to work part-time.

I don’t know how to answer this since the procedure is not spelled out. It is my understanding that there is already a process in place that can lead all the way to the School Board.

I do not know what the current procedure process consist of. However, I can relate to the business world in that at the beginning of a business year an employee is made aware of the Company goals, the business unit goals, the Department goals, and the employee’s goals. These goals are measured at the end of the year with a 6-month review in between. This way the employee is measured not only on his own achievements, but also how his contribution affected the higher levels of the Company. These same principles could be applied to the School System.

As I stated before, I feel that a permanent employee is hired for life after a probationary period. I don’t see a need for annual contracts.

If they are permanent employees, then the answer to item 16 applies.

This is something that is foreign to me. When I went to school most students were in fear of the teacher when it came to misbehaving and the punishment was even worst when I got home.

I know things have changed, but here are my thoughts. If a student curses or assaults someone, then the first time there is a severe suspension. The second time is the last time. The student is not allowed to attend the current school for the remainder of the school year and can only come back the following year if there is demonstrated proof that this situation will not occur again and that a school committee makes the decision.

This also applies to bullying. Students should never be in fear of harm or harassment.

If the CCAE is paid from another source, then I do not have a problem with the CCAE President being carried as a full-time employee as long as the retirement system is compensated by the outside source.

My wife and I are members of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church and almost annually participate in the Halloween events for the children.

An active member of the Cobb County Republican Party for 16 years.

A member of the CCSB Blue Ribbon Committee for three years.

Worked on numerous political campaigns for Governor, Congress, State Senate and Representative, Treasurer for Mitchell Kaye’s run for State School Superintendent, and several current and former School Board member’s campaigns.