Freeman Forum Airs School Candidates’ Views

Thu., Nov. 2, 1995

Alison Boggs Staff Writer

About 40 people showed up Monday night to hear Freeman school board candidates discuss their views on growth, the modified school calendar and their goals for the school district.

In an organized, rapidly moving forum, the seven candidates had one minute each to respond to questions posed by by the district’s PTSA and teacher’s union. The candidates were given the 14 questions ahead of time.

The candidates agreed that the school district is doing a good job, that growth is the major issue facing the tiny community and that strong communication exists between the district and the community. However, there was diversity of opinion on other topics.

Focus on life skills, said candidate Doug Spruance when asked for areas where the district could improve. Add programs for the gifted, said his opponent Kathleen Lundy. Find a way to bring senior citizens into the classrooms, said incumbent Sue Cronk. Beef up library resources, said Ron Fulkerson.

All the candidates agreed that Freeman will continue to deal with growth in coming years. Though no candidate had a solid answer for how to handle it, they all had suggestions.

Lobby the Legislature for funds to build new schools, said incumbent Bill Adams. The district could buy land to build more schools, said Spruance and Cronk. Lundy suggested using portables, building new schools or additions. She and Cronk stressed the importance of planning. Opponents Cronk and Taylor also suggested using schools year round.

Board members were split on the four-period day, a modified school calendar proposal that divided the community last year and eventually was voted down by the school board.

Incumbent Joe Dahmen, who is running unopposed, said he’d like to see the modified school calendar tested by the district. Incumbent Adams agreed. “Let it have its opportunity to fly,” he said.

Others did not commit to the controversial issue. Spruance, Lundy and Cronk said they wanted to study the proposal in more depth. Taylor expressed concern about community support. Fulkerson acknowledged that he’d had “real concerns” with the proposal last year.

When asked what their highest educational priority would be if elected, four candidates said preparing students for the world or ensuring safety in schools. The other three - Taylor, Fulkerson and Dahmen - expressed concern about the difficulty of complying with state and federal mandates.

“We should insulate Freeman as best we can from those mandates coming down the pike,” said Taylor.

, DataTimes

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