Q&A with Muscogee County School Board candidates in District 1 runoff

Editor’s note: The Ledger-Enquirer emailed six questions to the Muscogee County School Board candidates who are in the July 26 runoff elections. Early voting starts July 5. Here are the answers from the District 1 candidates. We will publish the answers from the District 7 candidates on Tuesday.

In District 1, three-term incumbent Pat Hugley Green faces retired educator and political newcomer JoAnn Thomas-Brown.

Green, an insurance agent and chief administrator for Hugley’s Facility Management Janitorial Service, is the board’s vice chairwoman and chairs the finance committee. She received 46.62 percent of the vote in the May 24 election.

Thomas-Brown is owner and chief executive officer of B&O Services, which provides support and a group home for the intellectually disabled. She worked 36 years in the Muscogee County School District, including as principal of Baker Middle School, and earned a place in the runoff by finishing second in the three-way race with 29.95 percent. Al Stewart, another retired educator, came in third with 23.35 percent. There were two write-in votes.

Q. Why should the voters in your district choose you to represent them on the school board?

A. Green: “District 1 voters should vote for me, Pat Hugley Green because Leadership, Experience and Integrity means something, Positive results. Business and community leaders count on my leadership, experience and integrity because my perspective is that of a business manager which allows me to see the big picture. Over the last twenty-two years as a manager of our family businesses we have been recipients of the products of the school system. This experience allows me to offer specific input on college and career readiness. Parents depend on my leadership, experience and integrity and they trust that the decisions I make are best for and ALL children. As a parent my input affects what new policies and procedures will have on families and students and their overall success. Educators trust my leadership, experience and integrity because as a parent I see the perspective from the classroom of today for 21st century learners. They trust my unwavering support of all building personnel and the miracle work they perform daily in the lives of many families. As a board member I’m visible at the schools and participate in many opportunities to enhance the hands on learning and field trips.”

Thomas-Brown: “The citizens of District 1 should elect me because I have 36 years combined experience as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and a central office administrator. My combined experience in the trenches has allowed me to see first-hand what is needed to help end the perpetually failing schools before Governor Deal’s proposal to take over our failing schools is approved and implemented. Additionally, I worked closely with parents and teachers to end out of school suspensions which directly impact student achievement. The failing schools, in which I was employed, worked hard as a team to find safety nets to engage the learner, to increase parental involvement, and decrease negative behaviors in the school environment. I am the most qualified candidate for District 1 because of my vast knowledge, training, and experience. I am aware of what educators are faced with on a daily basis.”

Q. What is MCSD’s most significant strength and which factors make it such a strength?

A. Green: “We have tremendous public private partnerships and local business based Partners in Education. A significant strength for parents is having the opportunity to choose an educational path and magnet program that matches the strengths of a child. The fact that our community has exemplary private schools and MCSD has approximately 92% of school age children in our public school system speaks volumes to the strength of public education in our community. The overriding factor is that the strength of the MCSD is a testament to the countless dedicated and hardworking employees. The diverse choices for educational and career pathways sets us apart. We can meet the needs of students pursuing dual enrollment, industry certifications, Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and a new School of the Arts. The uniqueness of having the Museum and Public Library under the MCSD is a HUGE advantage in supporting class room curriculum and experiences that many of our children would not ordinarily have such exposure. What we know and understand is that all children can learn and be successful.”

Thomas-Brown: “As I see it, MCSD’s most significant strength is the qualified, committed, and seasoned teachers. The factor that makes it such a strength is the teachers’ strong desire to see all students achieve and succeed.”

Q. What is MCSD’s most significant weakness and how should it be improved?

A. Green: “The MCSD administration like many organizations will continue to plan to meet the current and future challenges in education. The two greatest challenges are inadequate funding and communicating the need to get back to the community being ‘The Village’ in supporting public education. MCSD like school systems across the nation is challenged with the inadequate funding of public education. Over the past several years MCSD and school systems state wide has experienced a shift from state to local funding. It is important that our federal and state government make adequately funding public education a priority. A primary focus is on the Georgia Milestone Assessment System, GMAS Test. This is Georgia’s new measure of assessing the academic achievement of students which was rolled out in 2015. The parameters are constantly changing and I believe it will take at least four years before the teachers will have enough trend data to effectively guide the classroom instruction. The way that educators are evaluated has also changed to a new Leader and Teacher evaluation system. It is important to understand that families and educators today are faced with ‘perpetual’ change in the standards and metrics that measure success and they are NOT ‘perpetual’ failures. This is a fact and not an excuse!”

Thomas-Brown: “MCSD’s most significant weakness is the lack of a pool of highly qualified applicants to fill vacancies as they occur in the school district, as well as the lack of consistency and stability of teachers at their assigned locations overtime. Across the board, there is a critical shortage of teachers in the United States. However, we can improve this by recruiting our students to join Future Teachers of America and subsequently provide positive incentives to garner interest in the teaching profession. Our school system can also provide resources to our paraprofessionals who have worked hard and closely with their great teachers to become a teacher. We certainly can attract and retain highly qualified teachers if MCSD provides a teacher’s salary reflective of the 3% raise which Gov. Deal allotted to Georgia’s teachers. Additionally, provide a competitive bonus to attract new teachers to our beautiful community.”

Q. How would you assess MCSD superintendent David Lewis’ job performance?

A. Green: “My greatest compliment of Dr. David Lewis is his implementation of a system wide reading and math series program. This allows uniformity and balance of resources needed to ensure that all children receive a quality education. He has a vision to align the needs of our students and community for the 21st century learners. He has reorganized the district to operate more efficiently and effectively. Dr. Lewis is focused on providing the support needed to tackle the demands of the future of an educated work force and community.”

Thomas-Brown: “Currently, I am not in a position on the Muscogee County School Board to evaluate Dr. David Lewis’ job performance. However, I look forward to working with him to end failing schools in Muscogee County.”

Q. The balance of power on the school board is up for grabs between two types of representatives: those who question the oversight of the superintendent and district office and seek to install more accountability measures, and those who say that approach micromanages the professionals hired to run the district’s daily operations. Which type of board member would you be?

A. Green: “It is important to understand the role of a board member as prescribed and defined by the Georgia Legislature, The AdvanceED Accreditation Agency and Georgia Department of Education, and the National and Georgia School Boards Association. I have a proven record of delivering results. My leadership is not about making promises of campaign rhetoric. I will continue to deliver proven leadership to the voters, ALL children and parents. I will continue to provide the leadership needed to move our district forward, to offer the experience to support the needs of the class room of today and serve with integrity because parents, district employees and our community deserve nothing less. My strengths are in effective advocacy for all students and collaborative relationships between Board Members, the Federal, State and City officials through productive communication.”

Thomas-Brown: “I would be the representative District 1 voted me to be on the school board. That would mean a representative who ensures all decisions are made to advocate for what is best for the students, teachers, and our community. A representative who ensures we have policies in place to increase student achievement. A representative who ensures we have policies in place to attract and retain highly qualified teachers for our children. A representative who is accessible, and accountable to the voters who hired me.”

Q. What else should the voters know before they make a choice in this runoff election?

A. Green: “When I ran in 2004 I promised to bring Collaboration Accountability Responsiveness Excellence and Success for ALL students. I have delivered on those promises because I care about public education, it is the great equalizer. The fact is collaboration is key to the effectiveness of a board member. My ability to work with my colleagues and other city, state and federal officials resulted in the following successes for District 1:

▪  In Midtown, collaboratively worked with City Officials to develop over $150 million of real estate projects to include the New School of the Arts.

▪  Catapult Academy at the Edgewood Center reduces the drop-out rate- the first year 2015 resulted in the highest number of graduates in the state and Muscogee County had 60 of the 119 graduates who found their new beginning.

▪  A new state of the art G.W. Carver High School after rethinking renovations,

▪  A new Education Central Office where OUR parents no longer have to stand outside in LONG lines and in inclement weather during the registration and other student services processes. We wanted positive first impression of our education system.

▪  A new Rigdon Road Elementary School after rethinking renovations.

▪  Renamed Eastway Elementary School to Lonnie Jackson Academy after an outstanding community leader through a change in policy.

▪  Initiated required counselor/student/parent meetings to discuss career and graduation eligibility prior to graduation day. This allows parents and students to manage their high school career and prepare for life after graduation.

▪  Fought for pay raises for ALL employees.

▪  Fought to increase use of minority contractors and subcontractors.

“I will continue to be accessible to parents, employees and citizens. I work tirelessly in being a strong advocate for friendlier navigation through school services for parents and students and policy information for employees and accountability for citizens. I will continue to advocate for consistency and fairness for every employee and student to insure shared success throughout the entire school district. I am proud of the work and accomplishments in District 1 and I ask for your vote to allow me to continue delivering successful results.”

Thomas-Brown: “The voters should know that I am asking for their vote to end failing schools based on my 36 years experience in education. The passion that I have for children is undeniable. I want to have all of our children graduate from high school. This will help our community to have a prepared work force, as well as help our community to prevent an increase in crime. Lastly, there is no hidden agenda. I want to be on the Board as a servant to District 1.”

This story was originally published July 3, 2016 at 8:35 PM with the headline "Q&A with Muscogee County School Board candidates in District 1 runoff ."