Gwendolyn Ragland (District 1) School Board Candidate

[box type=”1″]EDITOR’S NOTE: With the goal of keeping local parents (and voters) as informed as possible about all things parent-related, the editors of RCM compiled “9 Questions for the Candidates.” We asked all the Huntsville City School Board candidates to answer the same set of questions and we will run one response each day this week unedited and in the order we received them. We encourage all of our readers to exercise their democratic right and vote on Tuesday, August 28. [/box]

Q. What made you want to run for this office?

I have been an educator for some 20 years. I have experience to offer about the educational process. I am running for school board because Huntsville City schools are good, but I think we have both the opportunity and the obligation to make them much better.

Q. Are you capable of and willing to do the research necessary to ask questions about the policies, procedures and recommendations that the superintendent is bringing to the board for approval?

Yes I am. When I was an undergraduate at Alabama A&M,, my major was History and my minor was Business Economics which are both research based subject areas. For four years I was steeped in research, researching these in my major and minor. Based on this, I am most capable of research into any endeavor that I am faced with.

Q. Do your children (or school age relatives) attend Huntsville City Schools?

Yes

Q. What is your vision for the schools in your district?

For all schools in my district to be off of caution and alert. To be staffed by, capable Teachers and Instruction personnel, willing to help all of the students learn and progress.

Q. What is your plan for working with the other school board members, superintendent, staff, teachers, community to implement this vision?

To collaborate with them about the issues that are being brought before the board and arrive at a fair and equitable solution that will benefit all concerned.

Q. What are your view of high-stakes standardized testing, and the use of those test results for the evaluation of teachers?

I feel that they are necessary to measure the teachers learning and capabilities to see where they are and what they have accomplished and what they need to work on to show progress in teaching different subject areas.Look at their strengths and weaknesses to adhere to put emphasis on the different subject areas to enhance their teaching.

Q. What is your view of how the district’s limited funding should be divided among the needs of the district?

An evaluation should be done of the districts. Based on the needs and necessity and the policies for distribution.

Q. What is your view on the superintendent’s plans to close, consolidate, “turn around”, and “restart” many of the schools in our district?

If a study is done and it is it feasible to consolidate and close schools to prevent waste and save money I will agree with the decision so that money can be allocated where needed.

Q. What is your view of the role that parents and the community should play in the governance of our schools?

Parents are very important in the implantation of the education process. We have a precious commodity in the Huntsville City Schools, our children. Parents, are Tax Payers and must be included in the decision making process governing our children in Huntsville City Schools.