Candidates woo voters at Grassy Pond stump meeting

There were plenty of hot topics for school board candidates speaking at the Grassy Pond stump meeting Saturday.

Five candidates vying for the District 1 seat addressed the audience.

Mike Ellis, the incumbent who has been on the board for four years, said he's always had concerns for the children of Cherokee County.

He cited the positive accomplishments achieved during his tenure, including the 2006 Palmetto Finest Award for Gaffney High School (GHS), a $34 million building program with no tax hike, improved SAT scores, 28 of 29 objectives met on the S.C. Report Card, Montessori schools, new classroom additions and computer labs, and the GHS track, stadium and Blacksburg High 9th grade addition and football field house project.

Ellis's opponents think there is still much room for improvement.

"It's not a question of personalities, it's a question of the board of trustees losing public confidence," said Rick Dizbon, who has 30 years in education. "One reason is poor communications. The second reason is the school board is not making the right policy decisions. And lastly, the Gaffney High building - it's a point of distrust. It's one thing to save money, it's another thing to have quality construction. The school board has been poorly led for the past two to three years. If I'm elected the current chairman will not be chairman."

Jim Heffner, an elementary principal in a neighboring district with 24 years experience in classrooms, said it's the teachers who make the positive things happen in the school district.

Heffner said the budget committee has not met this year, and the curriculum committee has not met for two years.

"At Gaffney High, there are seven assistant principals. It is recommended one assistant principal for every 600 students. Gaffney High has 1,900 students, and four more assistant principals than needed. That's $257,400 in wasted salaries and fringe benefits," he said.

Heffner suggested that one of those assistant principals be placed at the Alternative School and replace Sandra Greene's boyfriend.

"The superintendent is a member of the Rotary and spends tax dollars to pay for his Rotary Club supplies," he continued. "Dr. (Bill) James does not want me on the school board because I'm going to hold him accountable."

David Bridges, a chemist at Milliken for 15 years, has two children at Gaffney High.

"When dealing with the school board, you are dealing with our children, and our future," he said. "There are three major areas we need to improve. Accountability - get parents back in the decision making. Right now we're shut out. There is a 48-hour process to apply for a spot on the (school board) agenda. We should be allowed to speak as long as need to. And I'd like to go one step further by holding town hall meetings. Integrity - a lot of decisions have come into question, like family members doing contract work, creating jobs for family, and no intimidating atmosphere for employees. Financial responsibility - $57 million budget for this coming year. Other districts our size have budgets of $37 to 40 million. What are we doing with the extra money?"

Grady Waites said he opposed an open forum at school board meetings for public comments.

"I think if there is a true problem, you call me and I'll help you," Waites said. "We don't want a side show or a circus at the meetings."

Waites suggested that trustees be present at open houses to hear concerns from parents and teachers.

"I believe I can make a difference." Waites said. He said his job experiences, such as past manager of Wal-Mart, give him experience in areas like personnel issues.

Tina Byars, also seeking the District 1 position, was not present at the meeting.

Lindley Auton, incumbent for the District 7 seat, also questioned the need for the large budget for Cherokee County.

"I do have axes to grind. I do have an agenda. We still have much room for improvement," she said. "A big part of our money is going to the administration. We need to start cutting the fat at the top."

"I think random drug screening is a priority. These are the people who spend all day every day with our children. Education comes after safety. We've lost 24 percent of kids to dropout, or other means of loss," she said. "If the truth is embarrassing to us, we need to change what the truth is. It's not the time to start spinning. We need to conduct our business publicly.

Auton's opponent, Kim Phillips, was not present at the stump meeting.

Amanda Knowles and incumbent Pat Wells are vying for the District 5 seat.

Knowles said she began attending school board meetings three years ago and realized she needed to run to try to do something about the issues in the district.

She said she's heard from many people, who have made phone call after phone call to her, who say they need to have a voice.

She cited this year's budget meeting, when only one reading was held instead of three. She said she was not given an opportunity to speak at the meeting.

Knowles said her number is listed in the phone book and

she wants to hear ideas and issues from residents. She wants the board to work together.

"Please call me," she said. "I'd rather have an informed vote against me than an uninformed vote for me."

Wells, who has taught school in Gaffney for 30 years, said she wanted to avoid negativity and focus on the positive things in the schools.

"We do have problems and if I go back I'd like to be part of the solution." she said. "We have great teachers. Several years ago our Advance Placement scores were not good. Now our Advance Placement scores are above the national average. Last year we had $13 million in scholarships for our seniors. That was 11th in the state."