School board election draws community debate

On election day in November, campus community members voting in Bloomington will help determine the fate of the Monroe County Community School Corporation by casting votes for four open school board positions. With candidates mimicking the partisan mud-slinging of a national political campaign, voters must wash the perception of special-interest candidate "slates," illegitimate home ownership and preconceived candidate schemes off their minds to ensure no child is left behind in Bloomington classrooms.\nFor instance, candidate Lindsay Boyd, who is running against Lois Sabo-Skelton in District 6, received word Tuesday he is being sued by Bloomington resident Tom Shafer, a former District 6 board member, for the alleged misrepresentation of his local address. Currently, Boyd claims two legal residences in separate districts. \nMCCSC Superintendent John Maloy said schools are a reflection of the community that supports them. He said the federal government No Child Left Behind Act mandates rules and regulations for student achievement without appropriating the necessary money to accomplish our tasks.\n"The No Child Left Behind Act sets a tone of failure for schools, and more importantly for school children. We are all for accountability and continuous improvement, but we need to make it fair for all schools and students," Maloy said. "It does not account for where kids start when they enter our education system, especially those of high risk and those living in high poverty. In this case, even progress doesn't matter."\nThe MCCSC enrolls over 10,000 students, including about 1,700 in special education, employs over 1,500 community members and is operated by a general fund of over $60 million. The school board is responsible for policy-making, curriculum development and the hiring and evaluation of school corporation superintendents.\nMaloy said potential school board candidates should observe the code of ethics set forth by the state if elected.\n"Effective school board members need to represent all students at all times," he said. "The school board must maintain a broad vision and a set of core values that govern the decision-making process."\nThree-term board member Joan Hart, who is not seeking reelection in District 5, said the future school board must be willing to roll-up its sleeves, address the issues, collaborate with the superintendent, develop a vision of where to go, allocate resources where they are really needed and put serious thought into troubled programs.\n"Wherever an issue is identified, (the school board) cannot bury its head in the sand," she said. "They need to work hard for children. A school board's main job is to work together as a group. They should work to build community consensus on goals for community success."\nIncumbent board president Sue Wanzer, who is running against candidate Michael Allan Brewington in District 2, said public education is the foundation of democracy and the foundation of any community. \n"I know this election is not on a lot of radar screens. The school board can affect the quality of life for all community residents. If people have a chance to take a look at our school corporation, I think they need to take a good look because I think we are becoming a model for the entire state. I would like to see a school culture of education more reflective of a college campus. Don't forget to vote, and go all the way to the bottom of the ballot."\n-- Contact staff writer David A. Nosko at dnosko@indiana.edu.