Question & Answers from candidates for Scottsboro School Board Place 1

DON CROFT

1.Please give a brief description about yourself.
I am married and have two children. My wife Mary is also a Certified Public Accountant and my business partner in Gant, Croft and Associates. Our daughter, Elizabeth will be in eighth grade at the start of this school year. I have lived in Scottsboro since 1969 when I joined the CPA firm I now own. At that time I was the youngest CPA in the state and became a partner in 1970.  I graduated from Albertville High School in 1961 and Jacksonville State University four years later where I obtained a B.S. in accounting with a minor in economics. I also attended banking school at the University of Virginia, obtaining a certificate of completion.  Each year I attend classes and seminars. In order to keep my CPA designation current I have to complete 40 hours of Continuing Professional Education every year.
In addition to my accounting firm I am the owner of Travelers Place Inn & Suites, K.C.’s Auto Sales and Skyways Aviation. I am also a member of the Scottsboro Rotary Club, Scottsboro Golf and Country Club, Chamber of Commerce and First United Methodist Church, where I serve as a director of the Children’s Place. For years my family and I have supported the efforts of the Three Arts Club, sponsored “Kicking for Cash” at our home football games and last year we provided a vehicle that raised almost $18,000 for our basketball program. My family is an active member of the Tip-Off Club and the PTO.

2. Why did you choose to run for the Scottsboro Board of Education?
I chose to run for the Scottsboro Board of Education because I feel like I can make a difference in the education of the children of this community. I have been a part of this community for over forty years.  The experience I have gained in raising my children and operating my businesses should contribute to my ability to help create quality education for our children. I cannot think of a bigger honor than to be elected by my neighbors to serve on a board that directs the education of our children.

3.    What do you feel you can contribute to the Scottsboro School system?
I feel like I can contribute strong leadership to the current Scottsboro Board of Education. I believe my experience as a Certified Public Accountant and a successful business person has given me insight which will allow me to work hard to improve the efficiency of the Scottsboro Board of Education.

4. What do you feel is the single most important issue facing our school system and what will you do to address that issue?
There are several issues facing the school system and I will address two of them. The first is fiscal responsibility. The revenues and disbursements of the system continue to increase each year. The cost to educate our children is at the point where parents contribute monies in order to cover some costs. Proration is to be dealt with. As with any large organization, the system has fiscal responsibility. I believe my experience in the business world will give me an advantage in helping solve any problems in the fiscal areas of our school system. I have prepared and analyzed financial statements and financial reports for thirty years and I may not solve all of the fiscal problems of the system, but I can be sure the board and public have a better grasp on what is happening.
The second is image. The image of our school system begins with the school board. The relationships that school board members have with teachers and administrators and the public all reflect on the climate of public education in our community. I will strive to keep the members’ behavior in the meeting room and the rapport with the administration and the parents such that the Scottsboro system will be the envy of the state.

5. What are your goals for the Scottsboro Board of Education?
Educational achievement by our children is the most important goal of the Scottsboro Board of Education. Providing the tools and opportunities for our children to achieve educational excellence should be one of the main goals of the Scottsboro Board of Education.
As a member of the Scottsboro Board of Education, another of my goals would be working hard to improve the efficiency of our board meetings. I would strive to help build a strong relationship with the superintendent and principals in our schools.
I would also work to build strong avenues of communication between the superintendents, principals, teachers, parents and students with the Scottsboro Board of Education.

6.What will you do, if elected, to promote technological growth in Scottsboro? And do you support the use of the Ernest Pruett Center of Technology as alternative to standard classroom academics?
I think the EPCOT is an excellent alternative to standard classroom academics. All of our children are not cut out to be academic scholars. Some may not want to attend college. Our technology center is a means of providing the training and skills and leadership that will allow these students to contribute back to our community. I think it is great.
At a Rotary Club meeting, I talked with TVA personnel about the use of EPCOT as a source for training some of the personnel they will need at Bellefonte. This is going to happen. EPCOT will allow some of our children to learn trades and skills that will make them qualified to work at Bellefonte as well as in other highly technical positions.

7.What sets you apart from your opponent and makes you the better choice for The Scottsboro Board of Education?
I have a daughter in the eighth grade at Scottsboro Junior High and a grandson in the fourth grade at Nelson Elementary, so I have a vested interest in our school system. I have over 40 years of experience in all facets of business that should create more fiscal knowledge than my opponents. I have been a resident of Scottsboro for forty years. I know the people in this community. I believe this knowledge will enable me to help make decisions to benefit the entire school system.

ROBERT FERRELL

1. Please give a brief description about yourself.
I am Robert Ferrell running for Place 1 on the Scottsboro Board of Education. My wife’s name is Vikki and I have two children: Zak and Gabby. I am a member at Hollis Memorial Methodist Church. Vikki and I are both retired from the US Air Force. Zak lives in Nashville where he works as a medical assistant and Gabby graduated from Scottsboro High School this past May and will attend Jacksonville State University this August.
I started my Air Force career as an aircraft electrician and I worked my way up to a position as a consultant of organizational excellence and leadership coach. In 2002, I was a recipient of the President’s Quality Award for excellence in business management, which was also featured in Government Executive magazine. After retiring from the Air Force I taught statistics, psychology and leadership at Austin Peay State University and Bethel College.
My education includes undergraduate degrees in Aeronautical Science and Business Management, a Master’s degree in Industrial / Organizational Psychology and after the election I start the dissertation phase of my PhD in Industrial / Organizational Psychology. Industrial / Organizational Psychology is an elegant way of naming the psychology of leadership, management, human resources and groups such as school boards.

2. Why did you choose to run for the Scottsboro Board of Education?
Because public education is so important to creating a great community. Likewise, a great community creates conditions for its citizens to be well-educated. We have both a good community and a good school system and I want to help to make it better. Public education prepares our children to be self-reliant and self-sufficient citizens in society. It is the best way to provide children the ability to be thoughtful and inquisitive, and the resolve to be generous, happy and caring people. Public education, in our country, is the basis of justice, equal opportunity and democracy. Children starting school this year will graduate in 2025. It is difficult to predict what society will be like then. Therefore we need to ensure our children develop the abilities to work together, think critically about issues, solve problems, and be able to learn any topic. Additionally, it is important to me to provide service. I served our country for 20 years and I look forward to the opportunity to serve our community, children and schools.

3. What do you feel you can contribute to the Scottsboro School system?
In addition to my proven management and leadership abilities, I have been involved in various forms of education reform for the past 12 years. That combined with my background in psychology allows me to contribute solid leadership and understanding, not just of leadership issues, but also of key educational issues. I am an open-minded independent thinker that gives each perspective due consideration and I utilize a work-with approach aimed at developing win-win solutions.

4. What do you feel is the single most important issue facing our school system? What will you do to address that issue?
In the short-term, the Scottsboro School system is considering two capital improvement projects that will cost up to $9 million. In the long-term, the quality of education is the most important issue. The two capital projects include energy conservation modifications at each school and revised athletic facilities at Trammell stadium. It is important that the public is informed and involved. As a board member I will address the importance of informing and involving the public.
The quality of education is extremely important. A broader view of the big picture reveals several initiatives that are intended to improve education: Race to the Top, Teach for America, charter schools, common core standards, additional standardized testing, value-added teacher assessment, and even the National PTA is currently considering new healthy homework guidelines. Some of these initiatives are sensible, some are untested and unproven, and others are downright harmful. It is important that the board members stay current with these issues and help keep the public informed. Considering all of these active and proposed changes, the school board must be flexible and well informed and address each issue proactively. My 12 years experience with education reform combined with my educational background and leadership experience will allow me to contribute significantly to school system decisions. One positive trend in the past year that we can learn from is that ineffective changes imposed from the top down are beginning to be reversed and even stopped in some cases by organized parents, not by lobbyist or other groups. To me, it is vital that parents are actively involved in the educational decisions that affect all children. As a school board member I will promote and support parental involvement at all levels of the school system.

5.    What are your goals for the Scottsboro Board of Education?
Foremost to help improve the school system for all children. Also to help create policies that meet current and future student needs and that support development of all school system employees. I believe that one of my key roles as a board member is to create positive progress through policy change.

6.    What will you do, if elected, to promote technological growth in Scottsboro? Do you support the use of the Ernest Pruett Center of Technology as alternative to standard classroom academics?
One way to help promote technology growth is to ensure that all children have access to different technology sources so they can learn to understand and use technology. Yes, I do support the use of the Ernest Pruett Center of Technology. According to one report, one third of Alabama skills trades are filled by people over age 55 with very few people on the path to fill those positions. I believe it is important to support students’ self-determination, so they learn to make good choices regarding their own lives, including career decisions. The Ernest Pruett Center for Technology helps our county and city schools to meet that need while simultaneously meeting requirements if students choose to go to college. I think we should be cautious referring to these jobs as alternatives, which in a sense marginalizes an entire category of critical professions. Our expectation of a good job shouldn’t be something that doesn’t look like work.

7.    What sets you apart from your opponents? What makes you the better choice for The Scottsboro Board of Education?
In addition to being a parent, my education background indicates how valuable I believe public education is. My leadership skills are proven and have been recognized at the national level. I also have 12 years experience with education reform efforts. Additionally, my past four months on the school board demonstrates to voters the conviction I have for improving the school system. I believe John Dewey said it best, to paraphrase, ‘what the best and wisest parent wants for their own child so should the community want for all of its children. Any other ideal for our schools is narrow and dreadful.’

HOLLIE THOMPSON

1. Please give a brief description about yourself.
My name is Hollie Thompson, my husband, Patrick Thompson ( Line Foreman for Scottsboro Electric Power Board) and I have been married for 22 years.  We moved to Scottsboro from Ellenton, Florida, 15 years ago to raise our four daughters in a more family-oriented community.  Emily, a 2008 graduate of SHS is 22, Hannah, a 2009 graduate of SHS is 21, Maggie, graduated this past May from SHS and is 18, and Olivia ,16, will be a Junior at SHS this school year.  We are members of First United Methodist Church.  I have an associate’s degree in nursing and I have been employed by Highlands Medical Center since 2006, as a Fitness Technician/ Director of the Monitored Fitness Center. I am not a politician. I am a parent, like many of you, who wants good things for our children.

2. Why did you choose to run for the Scottsboro Board of Education?
I chose to run for the Scottsboro City Board of Education because I believe in the success of this school system.  I believe there is work to be done to progress forward and I know that my hard work ethic and energy will be an attribute to this board.  I believe that every citizen in Scottsboro should be represented by this board to voice their concerns.  I feel that my experience as an involved parent for the past 15 years ,and counting, is a much needed role, and will help me to be that board member that you can call on with your concerns.  Many people that I respect very much have put their faith in me to represent them, their children and grandchildren, and I will do the very best job that I can.

3. What do you feel you can contribute to the Scottsboro School system?
I would like to represent you and your family as an “approachable” member of the school board. The diversity needed to make good decisions that will affect our system and ultimately our children, depends on the input of a hands-on parent.
I feel that our elected school board members are a well represented group of public servants, that have all proven their commitment to our school system and city, but the one missing link is that of an involved parent and that is what I can bring to the table.  I have been involved in many different aspects of the entire system over the past 15 years of our children’s education process and extracurricular programs and the benefit of that insight is a much needed addition to the existing board.  I feel very committed to this community and I want to see our school system achieve great things over the next six years, I am willing to be an ear and voice for this community and be approachable to everyone at every level.

4. What do you feel is the single most important issue facing our school system? What will you do to address that issue?
Of course the most obvious issue facing our system has to be our financial concerns during these hard economic times.  As a community facing these issues we have to use all of the resources available. We have to rely on our community to help support our programs and support decisions in all areas.  We need to depend on each other to provide vision for the future not only financially, but also academically.  We as a school system need to prepare our kids to become productive members of society and as a public school system, governed by the public,we have to be prepared to identify our issues and work together to fix them. Communication is a vital part of that process.

5.    What are your goals for the Scottsboro Board of Education?
I really believe that preparation and vision need to be the basis for any decision that is made. We should begin preparing our students from the first day that they walk through the doors of the classroom until they graduate, with as little down time as possible- make every minute count.  Every child at every level needs to be challenged to achieve the most success that they can.
I feel that it is very important to maintain financial security while placing  emphasis to take care of our students, staff, and extracurricular activities as well.  I would like to see us recruit the best educators that we can find to fill any vacancies, to be open to changes, making our system the kind of system that others will emulate.  This is very important not only for our existing community, but also to attract new businesses and financial growth.  I would like to see a stronger bond with the board and the community. We can not expect our community to support many of our programs without respecting their input.  If we encourage more pride and ownership of our schools, it can only bring good to our system.

6.    What will you do, if elected, to promote technological growth in Scottsboro? Do you support the use of the Ernest Pruett Center of Technology as alternative to standard classroom academics?
I believe that our school board has done a great job providing and updating technology in our schools. I feel that technological knowledge is necessary in this generation to succeed in the work place.  I do believe that not every educator needs or wants the same tools, there may be a different need in different departments- our math department may need graphing calculators, while our science departments may require different tools. One size does not fit all.   I do believe that our kids are pretty technologically savvy and we should find a way to allow them to use some of the tools that they already have- with supervision. I also believe that tried and true methods of teaching should not be replaced with technology, only enhanced.
One more aspect of the technology issue is the responsibility of educating the educators. We have to be accommodating when it comes to providing workshops, and possibly incentives, to make certain that our staff is comfortable and confident using these tools.
I truly believe that we need to encourage our students and staff to utilize all of our educational resources available in the community.  Not every high school student is going to a four year institution.  Ernest Pruitt offers many opportunities to learn a skill to enter the work force, and Northeast Alabama Community College has also added some more options to learn skills and earn certifications to work while completing a two- year program.  I was excited to read in the paper about a program that Impact Learning Center is working on for this fall, that will introduce our 9th graders to explore some of these paths by providing a “Career Expo”.

7.    What sets you apart from your opponents? What makes you the better choice for The Scottsboro Board of Education?
Once again, I can’t stress enough how important “diversity” is for any governing group including a school board.  What sets me apart from not only my opponents, but also the existing board members, is the fact that I am a parent, a mother, a dedicated worker and I am qualified to run for this board based on my experience and involvement in our schools on a day to day, year to year basis. 

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed