School board candidates agree, disagree on issues

SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES AGREE, DISAGREE ON ISSUES

Photo by The Carolina Scoop's Jon Mayhew
Lincoln County Board of Education candidates Maurice Moore (left)
and Ed Hatley enjoy a laugh before the candidate's forum at Unity
Presbyterian Church in Denver Wednesday night.

By Jon Mayhew

DENVER -- Less than 50 people attended the last candidates forum
before the Tuesday, Nov. 4 general election Thursday night at the
fellowship hall at Unity Presbyterian Church.

The East Lincoln Betterment Association (ELBA) hosted a candidate's
forum for Lincoln County Board of Education (BOE) elections, where four
total seats are up for grabs.

While the six candidates who participated in the forum agreed future
BOEs need accountability regarding students, school operations and
police as well as financial transparency, they disagreed on everything
from the role of a board of education member to school construction.

Two of the candidates are retired Lincoln County Schools employees,
Ed Hatley and Kelly Childers, whose father, Norris, was superintendent
of LCS for about 25 years.

Two of the candidates are African American and four of the eight
candidates are from east Lincoln.

Their individual reasons for running are as diverse as the candidate's
themselves.

Photo by The Carolina Scoop's Jon Mayhew
Board of Education candidates Michael Burke (left) and Kelly Childers
talk before the forum Wednesday night. The candidate's forum was
sponsored by the East Lincoln Betterment Association.

"I miss the contact with the students," said candidate Ed Hatley. "I know
the school system and what it needs to make it more effective."

Kelly Childers touted his administrative experience as a principal within
LCS, including East Lincoln and West Lincoln High Schools.

"I know what needs to happen in the classroom," said Childers. "The
school board needs someone who knows the county east to west."

Clifidean Bethea, meantime, touted the fact she was a Lincoln County
native who graduated from East Lincoln High School. Bethea works for
the county Department of Social Services as a program manager.

Her main reason for running are teachers.

"We need programs in place to attract and retain good teachers," said
Bethea. "That's what is important."

Michael Burke, meantime, said the board is in need of good stewards of
the taxpayer's money. He's lived in Lincoln County for the past five years.

"It's the main job of a member of the baord of edcuation to ensure the
system's money is channeled in the right areas," said Burke.

Candidate Matt Zmijewski, an East Lincoln resident, told the crowd he
could be the most impartial regarding any and all issues, saying that it's
important to have a Scientist on the board.

"I've been taught to look at data effectively," said Zmijewski, adding he
has no affiliation to the Lincoln County Schools. "Our focus needs to be
giving the taxpayers the most for their money, and our focus needs to be
on instruction."

Zmijewski said his philosophy is that by the time a student leaves the
Lincoln County Schools, the students "wants to participate in society."

Martial arts instructor Maurice Moore touted his military and language
experience. He is the owner/operator of Maurice Moore's Karate Academy
in Boger City.

Moore said he worked for the military and learned to speak five
languages.

"I've got close to children in many different countries," said Moore. "I've
taught kids before and I'm now teaching their children."

Moore possibly had the best opening statement of the night.

"I'm here to bring new, fresh blood to the schools," said Moore.

Five prepared questions were asked, then audience members were
encouraged to ask questions as well.

Moore's answer to the question of what is the role of a board member
rested in making parents happy.

"If the parents are happy, then the teachers and administrators are
happy," said Moore.

Kelly Childers disagreed, saying the role of a school board member is to
know and supervise the actions of the superintendent.

"You cannot run the school system based on a whim of a school board
member, parents or even influential students," said Childers.

Candidates also disagreed on the issue of school construction. The
Carolina Scoop learned Lincoln County Schools are getting the first $15
million in bond money, as the county sold the bonds at an interest rate of
about 5.25 percent.

Moore's solution involves giving more money to the classrooms and
giving teachers a flat-rate supplement.

"Since the economy's down, we can cut back on building schools
because we simply can't afford to build new schools," said Moore.

Candidate Bethea agreed with Moore that teachers need to receive more
supplemental pay.

"The budget has covered the necessary, mandated services," said
Bethea. "If we expand the supplement, we'll attract and retain good
teachers."

While he did not directly address the issue of building more schools,
candidate Michael Burke also pointed to the budget in calling for
increased board transparency.

"I have several questions on the budget, especially since the schools
were asking for a 29 percent increase on this year's budget and only
received 4.4 percent," said Burke. "Plus, voters approved a $44.6 million
bond."

In response to Burke's comments, Zmijewski said the voters of Lincoln
County have "been very generous to the schools."

"We needed these bonds because mistakes have been made in the
past," said Zmijewski. "With today's economy, it's harder to fund projects
over the years. We need to decide what to increase and what to cut."

After the November elections, there will be at least two new members on
the Lincoln County Board of Education, as incumbants Tony Jenkins and
Fred Jarrett decided not to seek another term.

Incumbant Tommy Houser, who is running unopposed, was scheduled to appear at the
forum but did not show up. BOE chairman George Dellinger declined to attend the event. A
total of eight candidates are vying for three seats on the board.