WARNER ROBINS – Thomas Walmer and Frank Cherney led Tuesday’s political forum sponsored by the American Association of University Women.
Walmer, the incumbent for Houston County Board of Education Post 1, and hopeful Frank Cherney were the first to state their opinions on why each should be chosen. Post 1 includes Eagle Springs, Centerville, Northside, Parkwood, Westside elementary schools; Tabor Middle School; and Northside High School.
The moderator was Pearl Alexander of AAUW. In his opening statement, Walmer said everyone should be active in the community, and outlined his numerous community activities and offices. He said his relations with the community would help him serve as a strong representative for Post 1.
The most-asked question of all candidates was: What is the appropriate role of a BOE member? Walmer said he believes BOE members are there for policy issues.
During the debate, Walmer answered questions pertaining to improvement of art programs in schools, his management experience, opinions on social promotion, and his best quality.
To these he answered that art programs in Post 1 were up to par and pointed to Northside High as an example. As for management experience, he said BOE needs educators and business people on the board. Walmer said he opposes social promotion and believes his best quality is that he is a hard worker and has a high integrity.
“As BOE member I would make the best decisions for school system, but not without the consideration of Post 1,” Walmer said.
The first question asked of Cherney was: “As an unknown, why should you be voted for?” He answered that he will bring to the board the voice of the people, his experiences with his seven children in different school systems, and expressed his approval of President Bush’s No Child Left Behind initiative. He also said he could bring to the board a commitment to serve and a dedication to excellence.
In his closing statement Cherney said he doesn’t agree with Title I and positive action should be taken – and he has a solution, in a plan he has authored.
The school board’s at-large Post 7, formerly held by Karen Mertens, is being sought by Burl Jimmerson and Charles M. (Toby) Hill.
Jimmerson said the best quality of a board member he offers is his experience in business.
“Nothing under the sun that deals with our children isn’t political,” he said.
Hill said the best quality is being a team player and not having a political agenda.
Jimmerson stated his agenda was the children. “Without education we won’t have a worker base to make businesses come to the area,” he said.
Jimmerson said he plans to build on the current outstanding reputation of the Houston County School System by meeting with parents anywhere he can to find out their thoughts. Hill said he feels he is very qualified and has spent 20 years in Houston County and has a passion for its schools, parents, and children. He believes he would be an exception because currently there are no educators on the board. “I believe one person can make a difference on the BOE by completing the puzzle,” Hill said.
The last question offered to both candidates was if they thought standardized testing was focused on too much as a measure of progress in schools.
Jimmerson stated he thought testing such as the Criterion Referenced Compentency Test was good, but could be helped. Hill responded that testing was a reality and citizens should make no false assumptions about it because it is here to stay – and is the first thing parents look to before allowing their children to enter the school system.
Elections for both BOE positions will be held Tuesday.
