ECISD issues presented to candidates for office

1. Even with state assistance, school taxes remain among the highest in the county. What, if anything, do you think should be shaved from the district budget? Why?

Erwin - Comparing the tax rate of one taxing entity to another is irrelevant because all perform different functions. We compare favorably to other neighboring school districts and to like districts state-wide (even with the inclusion of the middle school bond). ECISD's tax rate for 2007-2008 is $1.15796. While East Bernard is lower at $1.15059, Wharton's rate was $1.2229. Louise was at $1.2000 and Bay City was at $1.32. When compared to similar districts across the state, we are below the median of $1.2000. Seventy percent of the budget involves paying our employees. There is little fat to trim.

Ryan - While I can't change the current budget, I think that we need to pay down debt. You can't expect the taxpayer to fix years of building neglect and need for updating overnight. While we will provide for our children, it may need to be spaced out over time to accomplish the goals without going to the taxpayer every year. State assistance is still your taxpayer dollars. Once the budget is set and agreed upon it should only be deviated in the event of an emergency.

Soechting - In almost all counties in Texas the school budget is the highest of any taxing entity. I would not advocate cutting any aspect of the budget, without sufficient study and careful consideration. Also it is important for a board to meet and discuss their goals for the district and receive input from the administration. After careful formulation a school district can move forward and work together as a team to achieve these goals and I emphasize a board must work together to help raise our test scores, serve the taxpayers and the parents and serve the children.

Turner - ECISD services the most children in the county. Our effective zero-based budgeting method is up-to-date with current state communications on budget matters. We are focused on attaining the 65 percent benchmark where 65 percent of expenditures are spent on instruction. This rule dictates where to "shave" costs. My business degree, with extensive training in financial analysis, allows me to know when someone is doing a good job. Our district is being run efficiently, effectively. El Campo has beautiful, inviting facilities and talented, dedicated teachers and paraprofessionals. We accomplish this with a tax rate $.06 lower than districts in Wharton and surrounding counties.

2. El Campo ISD opened a new middle school campus this year and is in the process of revamping the high school science building as well as putting down artificial turf at Ricebird Stadium. What do you see as the next major construction or renovation project in the district? Explain.

Erwin - There are many needs for renovation in ECISD and prioritizing is difficult. Myatt is in dire need of a larger cafetorium and the high school auditorium needs a sounds system and other stage improvements. This district is also considering other security updates to Hutchins and ECHS. We are constantly evaluating our needs and funding available to accomplish these projects.

Ryan - Myatt and Hutchins currently have modular classrooms. While this addresses immediate need, our students need permanent classrooms. These are used on a daily basis and should take priority over buildings that are occasionally used.

Soechting - At this point the school district has to move very slowly. Our ending fund balance at this point is $2.9 million dollars, which is 9.6% of a $30 million dollar budget. The district has to set as one of its goals the building up of the ending fund balance. Any new project would be most inappropriate until we have a healthy fund balance. If the situation improves then one

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Turner - The current board would like to renovate the auditorium

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next. Current items discussed include: replacing stage lighting,

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new stage curtains, a projector, and removing the carpet and

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want to do a front office renovation at Hutchins Elementary. This

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3. Teacher and other school district pay are based on studies reviewing what other districts are paying their personnel. Yet many of the studies examine districts to the east of Wharton County where metro areas can influence pay scales rather than western counties where rural districts are found. Should district pay be based on suburbia or a rural base? Why?

Erwin - I think it is helpful to compare salaries to many different groups including rural and suburban and like districts across the state with similar numbers of students, taxable values per daily attendance, economically disadvantaged students and mobility. Finally, we also look at schools in our region. Across all of these groups, ECISD teacher pay is above average, which was a goal of the school board and administration. This is an important goal that I hope to maintain.

Ryan - If elected, I will vote for teachers and other school employees' pay to be based on the same districts. This includes administration. Currently the administration is based on suburbia districts while teachers are not. This has to be corrected. Too many teachers are leaving El Campo to seek higher wages. We need to keep our teachers in our schools and provide for them.

Soechting - The EC school district should be compared to schools which are similar to our district in school population, geography and demographics. Also a consideration should be made as to which districts we are competing with. The same comparison of schools should be used for both teachers and administrators. In the final analysis such a study is only a guide and our district may not be able financially to compete with some schools, but a study would be a useful tool in order to make appropriate decisions.

Turner - I use another source to crosscheck our current compensation plan to see if we are competitive in attracting and retaining quality personnel. The Texas Academic Excellence Indicator System compares our district to the state average for teachers and administrators. We are consistently around 96 percent for all positions. The AEIS report provides statistical data, such as, years of service and turnover rate, substantiating that we do attract and retain quality personnel. This validates our district's plan. As your board member, I will continue to monitor this important task of attracting and retaining quality personnel for the betterment of our schools.

4. Current school board policy makes the board president the designated spokesperson and requires other trustees not to voice their stance on issues in the media. Each trustee is elected to represent the public and the public's views. If elected will you be willing to publicly share your reasons for voting for or against agenda items?

Erwin - We all publicly share our reasons for voting for or against agenda items at the meetings. These meetings are covered by the media and open to the public. We are considering video-taping the meetings and maybe streaming them onto the Internet. I am in favor of this and have no problem telling anyone why I voted in a particular fashion.

Ryan - If elected, I will be the voice of the taxpayers. While it is the policy not to speak about the issues in the media, I will always be available to listen to any of your concerns and complaints at any time. ECISD is the largest employer in El Campo. I believe that the school should be run as a business. The taxpayers are the share holders in the company and are entitled to have their will heard.

Soechting - I do not support the rule and I would push the school board to change that aspect of board policy. The citizens of El Campo Independent School District elect members to the school board and it is important for the public to know what their elected representatives think and feel. It is most appropriate in a democracy for individuals to be able to express their point of view.

Turner - During the open meetings, I give my reasons why I am voting a certain way on issues. Through our media, the public receives a fairly clear picture on how each member felt. Once the vote is taken, we as a unified board, embrace the decision and do not try to undermine the focus and energy of carrying out the board's wishes. I believe what is right and good has a way of rising to the top. Given time, with some consideration, and compromise, good ideas can become good governance. The changing of our commencement policy is a good example.

5. Two years ago, the district opted to keep the El Campo High School campus open during the lunch hour after local businesses said closing would hurt the bottom line. Do you support an open campus? Why or why not?

Erwin - I currently support an open campus. We held public meetings about this issue and heard all sides. I do sympathize with surrounding property owners who are affected by inconsiderate students. We currently could not accommodate all the high school students for a closed campus and as stated, previously, there are more pressing needs in the way of renovations. If the safety of our students were in peril, I would vote to close the campus immediately. As long as our students obey the laws while off campus, I see no reason to close the campus at present.

Ryan - Although I feel that the open campus policy has room for improvement, I am in favor of the open campus at the high school. Local businesses would be vastly affected if the campus were to be closed. I do believe the cafeteria menu could be improved to give some students a choice to remain on campus and also choose to support local businesses. My concerns with this policy are for the safety of the students that walk off of the campus for lunch and for the surrounding residents and property owners.

Soechting - I support an open campus for various reasons. Firstly our cafeteria at this time is not able to accommodate our students at the high school with one lunch period. However, there are problems associated with an open campus such as the impact of students on the neighborhoods around the high school and also 9th grade students going off campus and always attempting to find rides to go downtown. Also the impact on the community businesses is to be considered but the first consideration is always what is best for the children.

Turner - I voted for a closed campus. At the time we had one longer lunch period. That extra time allowed for mischief. Now we have two shorter lunch periods, and I understand the discipline problems have been reduced, therefore contributing to more time on academic learning. I am still concerned with how students walk down the roads and behave in the alleys. I still believe the betterment of our schools, which includes safety, is why we are elected to serve as trustees. However, that being said, I am also concerned with eateries and their loss of revenue if campuses are closed.

6. El Campo ISD requires students to wear "standardized dress" - a uniform of solid color tops and bottoms. Do you support this dress code? Should it be more or less stringent?

Erwin - I fully and completely support "standardized dress code." There should be a certain amount of dignity and modesty associated with an educational environment and our teachers should not have to be clothes monitors of morality in addition to teaching. This should narrow some of the gray area and let our children get focused on learning. It also teaches them that every aspect of life as a "dress code" written or unwritten.

Ryan - I do support the current standardized dress code. At the same time, I believe that the parents and students bear some responsibility with the enforcement of that code. Teachers are burdened with enough responsibility to be the only enforcers of the code. It can, however, be a burden on some families to have to purchase new clothing when clothes were passed down from the older siblings before the new dress code.

Soechting - I was always an advocate of a dress code and I feel our dress code is the main reason ECISD students when they go off on school trips are the most attractive and neat students in the competitions with other schools. Also, students I feel are motivated to perform academically at their best in a structured setting which requires a dress code. The old adage "dress for success" is very true and I strongly support it.

Turner - I support this dress code. It is less stringent than many we reviewed. It is a positive move for our district. The response I received from parents has been approximately eight to two in favor. Our principals have stated that it has been a great improvement. They said positive effects could be seen almost immediately. That is exactly what the board envisioned. Anything we can do to increase time on task is a good thing. To those students who were not a problem, I say, "Thank you for sacrificing for the common good. I appreciate your help." I commend everyone.

7. Louise ISD made passing a breath test part of the entrance requirement for this year's prom. Would you support El Campo implementing the test at prom, graduation or other major school events? Why or why not?

Erwin - We currently have School Resource Officers (SROs) at the middle school and high schools. They give sobriety tests when warranted. I think this is an effective tool to monitor illegal alcohol and drug use at our schools. If the high school administration and SROs thought there was a need for breathalyzer tests, I would consider it.

Ryan - I would be in support of the breath test for the prom and other major school events. Teenage drinking is a major problem in Wharton County. Every year there are several teens that are involved in accidents, some major and some minor, due to the use of alcohol. Requiring students to pass a breath test to attend these school functions would hopefully help to discourage the use of alcohol before the event and keep the students safer for the drive or ride home.

Soechting - Drinking is a major problem among our students and I know it especially occurs on prom night. We have all known we had a problem in this area and sought means to address this behavior. I feel that Project Graduation is a very good project in that it keeps our children on graduation night in a controlled setting. We have to do what we can to safeguard our children's welfare. I think a breath test to go into prom is extreme, but losing a child in a senseless accident is also extreme, and I therefore would support such a measure.

Turner - At this time, I am inclined not to use a breath test at our prom. I have the greatest concern for our youth. It brings me great sadness to see the loss in potential because of drugs (which includes alcohol). I have supported decisions such as a "Shattered Dreams" event and expanding our drug testing policy to include not only extracurricular participants but also students having parking permits. Hiring school resource officers and having them attend school events brings a much stronger presence to deter drug use. They can take stronger actions than school personnel. Let's try this for now.