KPGT Forum Recap Part I

Tuesday night's Candidates' Forum hosted by KPGT had a slightly different format from the Rotary Forum.  Candidates gave opening statements, answered two questions drafted by KPGT, and audience members submitted additional questions.  Questions and answers went until 8:30, when candidates made closing statements.  Unfortunately, Charles Griffin was unable attend due to a work conflict.  However, in his closing, he indicated he would take all the questions from the evening and answer them on his website.

The opening statements did not add anything that wasn't already covered in either my recent blogs about the Rotary, the Houston Chronicle articles about the Postion 6 race and the Position 7 race, or the Katy Times questionnaire.  The Times also had a good story covering the forum which sadly only seems to be available in the print edition (Thurs. 4/16, pg. 1A)

Q #1: According to one recent estimate, the shortfall in the state budget will be $10-$13 Billion in the next legislative session.  What will you do to preserve the quality of Katy ISD education in the face of such shortfalls?

• Bryan Michalsky (Postion 7) said he opposes cutting classroom instruction.  Last year we lost some teachers positions and a lot of support positions.  Texas is responding better than other states and he hopes the shortfall will be less than predicted.  However, we need to protect programs that give kids opportunities.  Must continue to look at other areas to cut.  Operations needs to justify spending on an annual basis.  
• Terri Majors (Postion 7) said there is lots of "wiggle room".  There was plenty of money last year and there was no need to fire any teachers.  We did not need to cut staff, and she is angry about it.  Katy needs to keep instruction just like it is and make it better.  Instruction needs to be at the top of the budget, and teachers need to get the perks they need to stay in the district. Teachers are looking elsewhere because the climate has been negative.  Should increase pay for teachers.  Need to get more teachers to come to Katy.  "Another thing we don't look at very often, we keep saying that Katy is growing and growing and growing.  However, our population in the schools is actually decreasing because students are being home schooled and because they are going to private schools. We need to look at those numbers and say 'uh-oh' what are we doing and how to get those kids to come back."  Wow... But see this...
• Neal Howard (Position 6) thinks that the best thing is to keep the shortfall from happening by working through the courts and with our legislators.  Will advocate doing what we did last year, which is to leave instruction, give teachers a raise, and cut everything else.  Wants to maintain programs, and may have to do that by increasing user fees.  Also wants to look at buying buses that run on natural gas.  
• Cynthia Blackman (Position 6) advocates cutting central administration, because Dr. Merrell had 4-5 assistant superintendents and Mr. Frailey has 15.  Would never cut teachers or teacher salaries.  Would not cut Special Ed aides like the district is currently doing.  Also would look severely at new construction.  Schools are built too soon, too grandiose, and savings must go to classrooms.  All dollars need to go to instruction; right now about half of the money per student goes to instruction.
• Betty Powell (Postion 6) says last year's layoffs and displacement was uncalled for.  Yes, they got jobs but many took pay cuts.  She knows someone who lost their home.  Would never cut teachers, custodians, drivers, anyone who supports educating children.  As a technologist, she knows where stuff is that has never been used.  As a trustee, she could look at technology and see what is needed and what is extra, and now there is no one on the board who can do that.  And no candidate other than herself has that experience.

Q#2:  Gifted and Talented students need special education services.  Specifically, what will you do to seek improvement within GT education in Katy ISD?

• Neal Howard (Pos. 6) says he's not qualified to answer those questions but knows there are people in our district who do, and he would take the reins off them and let them do their jobs.
• Terri Majors (Pos. 7) says programs are great, but they are special ed under the law.  Handicapped children get lots more money and treatment than GT.  Need to look at expanding programs for GT. Currently, elementary kids are pulled out one day a week.  In secondary, we need more programs.  Need to enrich and spend more money on our GT programs.
• Bryan Michalsky (Pos. 7) said awareness about GT education needs to be increased.  They need to be challenged.  Agrees with Majors that elementary Challenge program is a valuable program.  In secondary, the AP program is very good but other things can be done to challenge older students.  We celebrate our athletes and fine artists and we need to do that for our most gifted students as well.  We have good programs, but there is always room for improvement.  Awareness is key.
• Betty Powell (Pos. 6) taught GT most of her career. Usually Challenge classes are in temporary buildings.  They need to have more storage, a sink, access to library and computers in those classrooms.  Should get "regular" teachers certified for GT.  Our teachers get dual certification in ESOL, but not in GT.  Teachers who teach to the top get better results for all their students because of increased rigor.  
• Cynthia Blackman (Pos. 6) taught GT most of her career.  Often, the GT kids get to be the tutor or the helper in the regular classroom.  In High School, the AP program needs to be improved.  GT kids should not have to be responsible for the curriculum taught on the day they were pulled out.  Would like increased funding to go to GT/Advanced Academics program.  Kids might be gifted in some things but not in others.

More tomorrow...