Questions about School Board Election

Frequently Asked Questions

1     Are you in favor of Managed Choice?

Yes, City residents are also Sullivan County residents; therefore, they should have the right to attend Sullivan County Schools. Since City residents can be elected to serve on the Sullivan County Board of Education, it is my belief that any City student should have the right to attend a county school under zoning guidelines established by the Sullivan County Board of Education.

Please see this article in the Kingsport Times News, March 27, 2013

http://www.timesnews.net/News/2013/03/27/Vote-on-North-South-merger-could-take-months.html?ci=content&lp=13&p=1

 Are you in favor of the two high school plan for Sullivan County?

Yes, two Sullivan County High Schools in the right locations plus Dobyns-Bennet and Tennessee High School can serve all students in the city and county.

3.       Are you in favor of neighborhood schools?

Yes, I support elementary neighborhood schools. Middle School communities have to be larger in order to provide all opportunities for middle schoolers. High School Communities must be even larger to provide a comprehensive education for our students.

4.       Are you in favor of closing Indian Springs Elementary School?

No, it is ideally located in this area and the enrollment is predicted to remain stable or increase as long as Managed Choice (which I support) exists.

5.       Does the two high school plan approved by the Sullivan County Board of Education mean that Indian Springs Elementary School would be combined with Holston Elementary School?

No, that would require additional action by the Sullivan County Board of Education. I am not in favor of that action as long as we have Managed Choice and stable enrollment.

6.       Can one High School centrally located accommodate all students who want to attend the new school?

Yes.  The school can be designed with office space for teachers, which makes more classroom space available for students.

7.       Do you believe that we can continue to operate three school systems in Sullivan County?

No, it is my belief that the State will eventually change the funding mechanism so that we will have to operate a Unified School System. By my definition, a Unified School System is different from a Consolidated School District. Sullivan County’s Two High School plan would fit perfectly with a Unified District if the locations are good.

 

Nepotism Policy

Question:      Does Sullivan County Schools currently have a Nepotism Policy?

Answer:      Yes, the Sullivan County Department of Education has a Nepotism Policy which has been in effect for several years. All BOE members voted for a revision in September 2012. The Policy was reviewed on three readings in 2013, In September 2013, all BOE members voted for the revised policy. No concerns were voiced at any of these meetings.

Here is an excerpt from the policy:

Nepotism Policy 1.108

“When a person makes application for initial employment in the system and that person is related to a member of the Board, the Director of Schools, an administrator in the system, a county commissioner, or any appointed or elected county official, the relationship shall be publicly made known to the Board prior to the employment of such person.

If a member of the Board has a relative who is an employee in the system, prior to voting on any matter of business that may have an effect upon the employment of the relative, the member shall declare such relationship. In making such a declaration, the member shall certify that his/her vote on the pending matter will be in the best interest of the school system.”