What type of leadership will you provide on the Board?

Leadership requires 1) an honest assessment of the present and 2) a hopeful vision for the future. In order to do that, you must ask the tough questions and be willing to risk making difficult decisions. Because I care about our students now and in years to come, you can expect me to provide steady leadership.

You're a minister and you're running for office?

             The prophet Amos in the Old Testament writes, "Let justice flow down like water." People of  
            faith seek justice in this world. Therefore, we must setup the irrigation system; we must 
            work to make it possible in our communities. Moreover, a long tradition of public service 
            exists in the Presbyterian Church (USA), to which I belong. Countless Presbyterian 
            ministers have served on school boards and in positions of public trust because they 
            desire to serve their community. I want to serve my community by working on the 
            irrigation system for educational justice in Greenbrier County.

Can the Board provide better education without continuing to increase costs?

            First, no investment in our community's future is more important than education. If we want
            our students to be educated and our community to attract businesses, we must continually
            make investments in education. This county has been supportive in the past, and I am
            confidentthat generosity will continue.

            Second, the cost per student of public education must not be forgotten. In West Virginia,
            we spend about $10,800 per student annually. That ranks us below the national average. In
            Greenbrier County, we spend about $9,200 per student. So while we could and should
            employ creative new ways of spending and stretching our education dollars, it is a
            misconception that we are spending too much on our students.           

            Third, if we work together as a community we can enhance our student's educations in
            cost-effective ways. For example, Carnegie Hall provides arts-engagement education
            through programs paid for almosts entirely through grants. Also, the Happy Kids program
            engages local churches and civic groups allowing them to pay for education-related costs
            our students on the margins cannot afford on their own.

The Board faces contentious issues. How will you handle them?

            As a Minister, I am frequently asked to assist in conflict mediation. The key to 
         wading through controversy is honest communication. You can expect me to maintain 
         calm, to listen, to seek the truth, and to work towards community-based action. 

         I believe in transparency. The free flow of information, especially in today's world, is in    
         everyone's best interest. If the Board were to adopt a more transparent style of doing 
         business (posting meeting agendas online in advance of meetings, holding community 
         forums on major issues, etc.), then the entire community would benefit. My door would 
         always be open!

Events

Invitations to suppers and "Meet the Candidate" events are starting to show up in the mailbox. I will do my best to attend as many of those to which I am invited as possible (though the Sunday lunches are very difficult for a minister). I enjoy such opportunities for they provide a time to listen to citizens!

Tomorrow, I'll be heading to Smoot for the Smoot Ruritan Ham & Bean Dinner.

I always welcome opportunities for conversation, so if you know of an important community event or are hosting a forum this primary season, please let me know. I look forward to conversation!

How important are the arts to our student's education?

            Very!  Greenbrier County is blessed with tremendous cultural opportunities for a small
            community. They do not, however, come cheap or without effort. Thanks to the good
            work of the folks at Carnegie Hall and the Greenbrier Valley Theatre, for example,
            and the generosity of our arts community, our students are able to expand their cultural
            horizons and learn experientially through drama, music, and dance. The Board of Education 
            currently has a strong relationship with the arts community, and we must keep it that way.

Are our athletics programs on the right track?

Each week, I've been posting common questions I receive and my responses to them. Here's another common question: Are our athletics programs on the right track?

First, education is much bigger than athletics. Priority number one must be in the classroom.

That being said, second, athletics are an important part of a balanced educational system, and we need to re-think how they are organized in our communities. At the primary school level, many students are unable to play sports as they do not have the money to pay fees or the means to travel. Primary schools should work with the communities who do run primary school athletics programs to provide transportation and accessibility. At the secondary school level, the number of students playing for schools has decreased due to consolidation and the professionalization of athletics.  Secondary schools should run their own intramural programs much like colleges to provide all students the opportunity to further their education in athletics. Taking these steps would increase accessibility and place the focus of athletics on their educational value.