Belgreen High School’s auditorium played host to a spirited forum for Franklin County Superintendent of Education last Thursday, as Republican candidate Bart Moss, Democratic candidate Donald Borden and independent candidate Greg Hamilton each took turns unfolding their respective plans should they win next month’s election.
The debate lasted approximately 90 minutes and was full of audience-submitted questions. The candidates addressed many topics, and among them was the idea of school consolidation. School consolidation, typically, revolves around smaller school systems. When asked about this issue, Borden gave a very direct response.
“I’m not interested in consolidating any of these schools,” he said. “These schools are important to these communities.”
Both Moss and Hamilton agreed with Borden’s assessment that, at this point in time, there does not seem to be a need for any changes of that nature inside the Franklin County School System. This comes as good news to programs like Vina High School, which could possibly be the victim of consolidation if it were to occur.
Later on in the event, each candidate was asked why party affiliation was important to this election. This question elicited a number of various responses from each participant.
“I think it reflects your values,” Moss said. “The platform of the party should always reflect your values.”
Moss’s response did not stand very long without contradiction from Hamilton, however. Hamilton did not take lightly to the idea of party affiliation while holding the office of Franklin County Superintendent of Education.
“This office can not have politics in it,” he said, prompting thunderous applause from many in attendance. “This is an area where we are dealing with our children, and there just simply isn’t any room for politics.”
The nominees did not disagree on everything throughout the night. Each candidate received adequate praise from the audience when answering a question regarding whether or not they would allow transgender restrooms in their schools. All three of the contenders agreed that such a policy has no place in the Franklin County School System. This comes as a relief to a number of parents with children in those schools who might have concerns regarding their child’s safety, or invasion of personal space.
The peace of agreement remained a while longer throughout the night when the next question was raised to the candidates in reference to student safety. Mothers and fathers are all concerned with the safety of their children in this day and age.
Borden was the first to present his solution to the dilemma.
“I think school resource officers are important to the schools,” Borden said, “and I have actually spoken with a few of them who would be willing to work part-time without benefits.”
Each of the other candidates nodded along in agreement with Borden. Moss reinforced Borden’s statement in his own response.
“The money is there to hire school resource officers,” Moss said. “If you can pay an assistant football coach $22,000, you can pay a school resource officer. I promise you.”
Moments later, moderator John Pilati asked the participants what their daily role would be as Superintendent of Education. This was, arguably, the most important and influential question of the evening.
“A superintendent needs to be in the schools and the classrooms to visit with teachers, students and employees,” Moss said, “but not to tell them how to do their jobs.”
Contradictory to that of Moss, Borden had quite a different approach in mind with regard to the job of Superintendent of Education.
“There’s no reason to be in the schools,” Borden said. “Principals are hired to maintain their schools.”
Hamilton was adamant regarding his stance on the responsibility of the future superintendent.
“There will be absolutely no micro-managing when I am elected,” Hamilton said. “These teachers and administrators are capable of doing their jobs.”
As the evening approached its conclusion, each candidate was permitted one minute to give their closing statement. Borden was granted the opportunity to speak first and fell back on his long list of accomplishments and work ethic.
“Sometimes talking about the future is just that--talk,” said Borden, who currently serves as assistant superintendent. “Sometimes experience is the most important thing.”
Moss, who teaches at Tharptown High School, made clear his passion for students but also his distaste for the way things have been working within the school system.
“Our product is our students, and I am proud of them,” Moss said, “but our system is seriously broken.”
Hamilton, who is in administration at Vina High School, made his position very clear once again in his closing statement.
“I do not believe this elected office can be about the politics or the political parties,” Hamilton said. “It has to be about our students. It has to be about our children.”
