Last Night's BOE Candidate Forum

I attended the BOE Candidate Forum at Briarlake Baptist Church last night. Candidates from districts 2, 3, & 4 were there.

The moderator did a good job of keeping things moving and everyone got to speak without being interrupted. The whole evening was well organized and well run.

The thing that stuck with me was something Dr. Carter said. When talking about financial transparency and accountability she correctly pointed out that a lot of the information is available for the board members and the public to view. They have the opportunity to ask questions if they have concerns.

Having watched most of the BOE work sessions over the last year, I can not recall one time when Dr. Carter has asked a question during the monthly financial report. Even when I have emailed my questions to her, she did not ask them or respond to me.

The same can be said for the monthly human resources report.

It is one thing to be a good public speaker, but it is another to actually read over the materials prior to a meeting and ask questions.

District 4 will be well represented if any of the other three candidates is elected.

Jim McMahan has demonstrated his dedication by showing up to BOE meetings prepared and asking questions where things don't add up. Jim has contributed to the conversations in positive, substantive ways while pushing the superintendent to justify some of the spending. I think Jim McMahan has done a good job of pushing for accountability.

John Oselette has worked within Hawthorn Elementary for 5 years and knows the issues parents and schools face. He has promised to vote against anything that doesn't put classrooms first. He is friends with Nancy and Stan Jester so he can be expected to look at the money very closely.

Ella Smith is a parent (grown children) and has taught in DeKalb County. She would bring both perspectives to the BOE and I think a teachers point-of-view is needed to counter the administrators who do not understand the ramifications of their decisions.

Go to It's For Them DeKalb to learn more about the district 4 candidates.