Two Texarkana Arkansas School District officials are seeking new terms on the Board of Directors.
Board President Jesse Buchanan, who represents Zone 3, and Sandra Rhone of Zone 5 are unopposed.
The election was set for Nov. 14.
The seven members on the Board are each elected to three-year terms.
A map of the Board of Directors zones is available on the TASD website.
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EDITOR'S NOTE: The following responses are complete and unedited. The Gazette did not receive a candidate profile for Sandra Rhone in time for publication.
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Candidate: Jesse Buchanan, 70
Previous public service: 23 years on the TASD Board of Education.
How long a resident of the district: I was born and raised in Texarkana and I am a graduate of Arkansas High. I have lived in the district the past 39 years.
Q: Why are you running for school board, and what are your qualifications?
A: I am a lifelong Razorback and I want our district to thrive and grow. My children attended TASD and now my grandchildren are in the district. Regarding qualifications, through my experience on the Board of Education, I have learned a great deal about school governance. I have attended many conferences and training sessions sponsored or recognized by the Arkansas School Board Association to enhance my growth as a board member.
Q: What are the top three needs of your school district, and how do you plan to address them?
A: Improving student achievement through a continued focus on the educational process. Increase attendance percentages by engaging parents. Student must be present to learn. Provide a safe environment in our schools through enhanced security and physical changes to protect our students.
Q: What are your budget priorities?
A: Student learning is the number one priority but to achieve success it requires hiring and retaining qualified and dedicated teachers. Salaries are approximately 80% of the budget.
Q: Where has the district had success?
A: Improvements to our facilities to include building the Arkansas Middle School without a tax increase.
Q: Where do you think the district needs to improve?
A: We must improve our literacy scores.
Q: What are your views on teacher salaries and benefits?
A: The best thing about the LEARNS Act was raising the base teacher salary. Our teachers and staff have been underpaid but the state funding was not there to enhance pay. Funding provided by the state has improved the situation but it did not provide for tenured teachers who were higher on the pay scale.
Q: How can the district improve teacher retention?
A: Salaries were the first step for the teachers with less tenure. We have to look at where we can reward our tenured staff. We also must provide our staff with a safe and stable environment to work in.
Q: Do you promote a shorter educational week?
A: At this time, I am not in favor of a shorter educational week. I would like to see more data on student retention and growth in schools with shorter weeks. I am also concerned about the children whose parents work and they have inadequate supervision on the day off from school.
Q: Is the district adequately addressing student safety?
A: We have enhanced students safety by hiring more security staff and hardening our schools.
Q: What role should the community play in supporting public school education?
A: Volunteers in public schools are a huge asset to the district. Many of our students need mentors and tutors. Teachers and staff must be engaged with parents in the educational process.
Q: Do you support school choice?
A: I am not in favor of public funds being used to support private schools or home school.
Q: What will you do to enhance education in the arts?
A: Students in our district have been able to participate in the arts programs in our elementary schools and continue into the middle and high school. I have always supported our arts program and will continue to do so.