More on BOE Candidates

Yesterday, I spent about 45 minutes speaking with Ella "Coach" Smith. She is very personable and very passionate about education. Her years of teaching in DeKalb County have given her first-hand knowledge of the culture that permeates the district. She is not a newcomer to advocating for children.

Mrs. Smith will push for a "programs audit" to find which ones can be cut to put more money into classrooms. She also has a good idea for a mentoring program to help at-risk students.

She promised to send me her campaign statement after she finishes polishing it up. Her website is here: electellasmith.com and her blog is here:  http://georgiaschoolhousenews.blogspot.com/

___

This morning I met with John Oselette and we spoke of many things. He has good ideas about changing the culture of the district starting with a formal search for a permanent superintendent and complete transparency of finances. Mr. Oselette would like to see the superintendent's pay linked to publicly identified metrics.

John's campaign website is here: www.facebook.com/JohnOseletteBOE  

___

I have sent emails to both Jim McMahan and Dr. Karen Carter inviting them to send me campaign "bios" and statements. Jim responded, but I have not gotten anything from him. Jim McMahan's campaign website from 2012 is here: www.facebook.com/votejimmymac

Dr. Carter has not responded and I can not find a website for her campaign.

___

I reached out to Bridgeman Bolger and briefly spoke to him today. I am concerned about his age and experience. I found him to be a very well spoken, intelligent young man. While he does not have as complete a grasp of the history and culture of the school district as other candidates (especially his opponent) he has worked in politics for over 5 years and knows how to build coalitions. I was impressed with his concern about the number of counselors in the district. That is one of the things I have wondered about since my son's 7th grade counselor returned my phone calls at 6:30 on Fridays.

Mr. Bolger deserves the attention of the district 6 voters. Please visit his website here: www.bolgerforabettertomorrow.com  His email and phone number can be found there.  He is easy to get a hold of and wants to speak with as many DeKalb County residents as possible.

___

I want to encourage everyone to attend the Tucker Parent Council and Parent Councils United for a community meeting Thursday evening at 7:00 in the Tucker High cafeteria. Parent Councils United is comprised of leaders from Dunwoody Chamblee Parent Council, Emory LaVista Parent Council, South DeKalb Parent Council, Tucker Parent Council, and the Cross Keys Cluster who are working together for a quality public education for all children in DeKalb County. I don't know what the agenda is, but it is the first community meeting of Parent Councils United.

Also, at 6:00 Thursday, the SPLOST IV Citizen's Oversight Committee is meeting at the Sam Moss Service Center, 1780 Montreal Road.  If you have not read their first Annual Report, you should.

*This blog represents only my opinions and does not represent any other person or group.