Investing in and increasing student achievement will be a major challenge for the Howard school system as it faces difficult financial times, said Howard school board candidates.
“Our students are our highest priority,” said Scaggsville resident and Board Vice Chairwoman Ellen Flynn Giles, who is seeking re-election.
“We owe all the kids the preparation they need to pass the [High School Assessment] and get a high school diploma and this is not going to be easy.”
Five of the seven candidates attended a recent forum sponsored by Howard County?s PTA and League of Women Voters at the Board of Education building in Ellicott City where they were asked about the most critical issue facing the school system.
“… I think if we all support funding sources we have available to us and take advantage of them, we might be more successful,” said Betsy Grater, a former teacher and businesswoman who lives in Ellicott City.
Superintendent Sydney Cousin recently announced a $656.7 million operating budget for the 2009 fiscal year, and said state funding, among other financial sources, was decreasing.
Lawyer Allen Dyer, of Glenelg, said negotiated agreements with teachers should be funded.
Cousin has said $31 million of the $43.8 million increase in this year?s recommended operating budget over the last year?s approved budget would fund such agreements.
Clarksville resident and board member Janet Siddiqui, who?s running for re-election, said the school should put more resources into closing the achievement gap between whites and Asians, high performers on standardized tests, and blacks and Hispanics, who have lower scores.
Columbia resident Faenita Dilworth, a cosmetic-company consultant, said she could offer a diverse perspective by being black and understanding the issues facing minorities.
Candidates Di Zou and Diane Butler could not attend because of prior travel commitments.
The field of seven candidates will be narrowed to six following the Feb. 12 primary. Voters will choose their top three choices for the three openings on the board, each of which is a four-year term.
