Due to the lengthiness of the questions and answers the Centreville Press could not print the interview with Republican incumbent candidate, Dr. Don Elam, in its entirety this week. For this reason an unabridged transcript is being offered online, as if would have been for his Republican opponent, Dr. Steve Morgan.
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Centreville Press interview
Subject: Dr. Don Elam, Superintendent of the Bibb County Board of Education
Interviewer: Daniel L. Bamberg, Reporter for the Centreville Press
Conducted: Friday, May 21st, 2010 9:00 a.m.
Important details of note: Only the Centreville Press reporter, Daniel Bamberg is aware of what will be asked going into the interview. Dr. Steve Morgan, who is Dr. Elam's Republican opponent for the upcoming June 1, 2010 primary election will be interviewed similarly following Dr. Elam's interview. Dr. Morgan's interview is scheduled to be conducted Friday, May 21st and 10 a.m. Dr. Elam and Dr. Morgan have agreed to conduct these interviews instead of a public debate. Questions do not necessarily substantiate fact, and should not be taken as such unless the one being interviewed recognizes the information within the question as fact. All questions were compiled based on media research and the campaign statements of those being interviewed or campaign statements from their opponent. The interview will not be printed "as is" due to restrictions of space within the publication, "The Centreville Press." Unabridged transcripts of these interviews will be placed on the Centreville Press blog "Bibblogger" as well as the social networking site, Facebook under the Centreville Press page. Due to concerns with length the reporter has practiced discretion, within journalistic ethics as to what is more pertinent to answering the question asked for the print version.
BEGIN INTERVIEW
The Centreville Press: "Your opponent, Dr. Morgan suggests he will restore discipline within the Bibb County schools? Is there a discipline problem, and how do you plan on maintaining discipline among students in the school system?
Dr. Don Elam: "Restore means to give back something that has been taken away. I think that our current administrators throughout the county would be greatly offended by the statement that discipline needs to be restored because there is discipline in our schools, not an absence of it. I am not certain as to the basis for the statement made regarding a need to restore discipline within the Bibb County Schools. Certainly, we will always be faced with discipline concerns in our schools, but our school administrators and teachers do an excellent job of managing the challenges and enforcing the Board adopted Code of Student Conduct. Calls related to concerns of discipline matters have declined over the past 3 ½ years. Discipline is necessary in order to have a healthy learning environment. The challenges of student discipline are diverse and change daily. The Bibb County School System will continue to work to institute programs of support for students that will encourage their participation in positive ways, and promote them toward success. Through this process, discipline concerns will be minimized. Students who violate adopted policies will continue to be disciplined according to the adopted Student Code of Conduct and Related Student Policies."
The Centreville Press: "Your opponent suggests he will fight wasteful spending. In which areas do you find wasteful spending within the school system?"
Dr. Don Elam: "I do not condone anything that resembles wasteful spending. There is no room for it in the Board of Education budget. It is easy to make this accusation, but I have not been given examples of what is considered to be wasteful spending. The Bibb County Board of Education operates on a budget approved by the five member Board of Education, elected by the people of Bibb County to represent them on the board. 88% of the 27 million dollar annual operating budget is in personnel costs to pay the employees of the Bibb County School System."
The Centreville Press: "What about the remaining 12% of the budget?"
Dr Don Elam: "The remaining 12% of the budget is for transportation, child nutrition, and operating expenses. Each of these funding streams has specific uses and conditions for expenditure of funds. All accounts are subject to annual audit by the State of Alabama Examiners of Public Accounts. Each year, auditors are on-site at the Bibb County Board of Education for several months conducting the annual audit. The Bibb County Board of Education takes any recommendations for change from the Examiners of Public Accounts, and incorporates them into practice or policy, as applicable. We are constantly evaluating ways to streamline expenses without harming the children of Bibb County. Some examples of this are the consolidation of schools, the consolidation of bus routes, and the energy savings realized through the energy management program."
The Centreville Press: What is the current achievement test score average in the Bibb County School system?
Dr. Don Elam: "The method of determining accountability for public schools in Alabama is complicated because of the testing programs in place to measure student achievement. There are many tests in use by the State of Alabama to measure student achievement. Over the course of many decades, tests have been added, but rarely is one ever removed, creating a layering of tests which is time consuming and redundant. All public schools in the State of Alabama are required to comply with the testing programs in order to receive public funds. The current Deputy State Superintendent of Education for Instruction is aware of this problem, and is working to streamline the testing and eliminate duplication. With this said, there is not one achievement test score average to indicate student progress, but progression on multiple indicators. The state testing programs in which the Bibb County Board of Education participates include: Stanford Achievement Test, Alabama High School Graduation Exam, Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills , Alabama Alternate Assessment, National Assessment of Educational Progress, Alabama Science Assessment, Alabama Direct Assessment of Writing and the Alabama Reading and Math Test. The Bibb County achievement test data is available to the public on the State of Alabama Department of Education website. A statement that can be made in regard to the achievement test data of the Bibb County Schools is that each school within the Bibb County School District is measured individually on multiple accountability measures to determine the Adequate Yearly Progress, or AYP, status of each school. Each school is held accountable on an individual basis as to their progress in regard to the goals set by the State of Alabama Department of Education."
The Centreville Press: "Have you implemented anything in your time as Superintendent which has raised the level for achievement test scores in any way?"
Dr. Don Elam: "Yes, I have. It is difficult to isolate the effects of interventions to be able to demonstrate that one intervention or another had a specific effect on achievement test scores, however data indicates a positive effect of the interventions. Within the last 3 ½ years, the following interventions have been implemented, to name a few, which have been shown to improve student test scores: Support for Reading Programs, Academic Credit Recovery, Summer School Programs, After School Tutoring Programs, Grade Level Transition Meetings, Fifth Grade and Ninth Grade Academies, Pre-Kindergarten Summer Program, In School Detention, Saturday School, and Homebound Education Services."
The Centreville Press: Do you have future plans which will allow the school system to be more pro-active in raising these test scores?
Dr. Don Elam: " As a part of long range planning, yes there are future plans to allow the school system to be more proactive in raising test scores. Proration has had a major impact on the Bibb County School System. Proration occurs when local boards of education prepare budgets based on an amount of funding promised from the state, and then the money is cut mid-way through the year. Many of the interventions put into place which would have a positive effect on test scores, such as the Summer Pre-K Program, Parallel Block Teaching and Reading Coaches in the Middle Schools have had to be cut as a result of proration. It will take years to recover from the financial effects of proration to be able to restore programs such as these. However, our teachers are our greatest resource, and providing support for them to be able implement to fidelity the programs we have in place will be an area of emphasis. Using scheduling as a mechanism to ensure that data meetings and common planning time for teachers are in place is one of the district plans to use the data collected to focus instruction at all grade levels. Bibb County Schools will continue to seek professional development that meets the needs of teachers and empowers them to use their education and resources to the maximum benefit of students. Even with the lack of available funding, the Bibb County School District recognizes the need to continue to prepare students for the world in which they live and will work. The research supporting the development of 21st Century skills in all students, such as collaboration, communication and creativity, will continue to be a focus for the Bibb County School System."
The Centreville Press: "Your opponent plans to put teacher aides in every classroom, based on state regulations what will be the overall cost of such a venture?"
Dr. Don Elam: "The cost of placing a teacher aide in every classroom would exceed $6,200,000.00 annually. The Bibb County School District currently employs 46 aides, and placing one in every classroom would require hiring approximately 200 additional aides. This cost is outside the realm of possibility for the Bibb County School District. Additionally, the federal guidance of the No Child Left Behind Act discourages adding teacher aides in classrooms, and encourages instead hiring Highly Qualified Teachers to reduce the class sizes."
The Centreville Press: "Some of your critics have suggested that you are neither a fair, friendly, or respectful Superintendent. Some have even as much as suggested that you rule with an iron fist, in terms of howyou treat others. What is your reaction to such a notion?"
Dr. Don Elam: "I am aware this has been said about me. It is my intent to be fair, friendly and respectful to everyone. Anyone who knows my background, knows that I have worked hard all of my life. I grew up in Bibb County, I came through the Bibb County School System, and due to factors beyond my control, had to rely on many of the good people of Bibb County to raise me and get me through school. I can assure you that I do not put myself on a pedestal above anyone. As Superintendent, I have a job to do. The decisions I make do not always make everyone happy, but that is not my intent. If an unhappy person paints your portrait, it will always be negative. I believe it is my duty to hold each individual accountable for doing his or her job. If I find that an individual is not performing satisfactorily, I believe it is my obligation to discontinue the employment of that individual, within the scope of the law realize that I have alienated some individuals in this process, but it has been my belief that it is my job to make the changes needed to achieve the end result desired. I can tell you that I have never made a decision as Superintendent that I did not think was in the best interest of children. While I realize that each individual has a family and should be given a chance, the bottom line is that the school district needs to employ individuals who will do the job they are hired to do."
The Centreville Press: "According to records there are currently 5 persons working within the Bibb County School System which are related to you in some way. Have you practiced an agenda of hiring those you are related to our have befriended since you have become Superintendent?"
Dr. Don Elam: "In any small, rural school district, you will find families of educators hired within the school system. It is not uncommon to find employees related to each other within the Bibb County School District. As a result, like other school systems across the nation, the Bibb County School District has in place a policy governing nepotism. I can think of one example within a family of educators in Bibb County where there were 12 related individuals working for the Board of Education. This is not bad or negative, it is just an example which illustrates how families choose the same profession. Just because a family member works for the Bibb County Board of Education, other family members should not have to drive out of county to seek employment if they are the best qualified individual for the job. The Bibb County School System is the largest employer in the county, currently employing over 400 individuals."
The Centreville Press: Can you explain why there are five employees in the school system who are related to you, including one man contracted by the Board of Education?
Dr. Don Elam: "If the records you reference indicate that 5 persons working within the Bibb County schools are related to me, do the records also indicate the hire date of these individuals? I believe the hire date will indicate that some have worked in the system prior to my election as Superintendent. During my administration, I can say that in every case, the most qualified applicant for the position has been hired. It would be considered discriminatory to omit an applicant for employment based on who they are related to. In schools, Principals conduct interviews and make recommendations for employment. My role as Superintendent is to place recommendations before the Board of Education. Hiring of all personnel is done by a five member Board of Education elected by the people of Bibb County."
The Centreville Press: "Some people question your recommendation to hire controversially marked Lee Van Fleet as principal of Bibb County High School. Van Fleet has what many regard as a questionable history including an incident of reported harassment. How do you excuse the hiring of such a controversial figure?
Dr. Don Elam: "At the time of Mr. VanFleet’s hiring with the Bibb County School District, Bibb County High School had been identified by the State of Alabama as a school in need of School Improvement. Mr. VanFleet had a reputation of being a school turn-around specialist, and that is the capacity in which he was hired. He has worked over the past 3 years to provide strong leadership for Bibb County High School. The State of Alabama Department of Education is the credentialing agency for Teacher and Administrator Certification. Every educator must hold appropriate credentials in order to be employed in the public school system. At the time of his initial employment and continuing since, Mr. VanFleet has been fully credentialed and recognized by the State of Alabama in his areas of certification."
The Centreville Press: "Some have suggested a pay scale differential regarding teachers of the same experience, same education, and same seniority within the Bibb County School System. Others even suggest that members of your family and friends have been on the beneficial end of these pay differences. Are these allegations true?"
Dr. Don Elam: "The Bibb County Board of Education has an adopted pay scale that is based on years of experience and education for certified employees, and years of experience for support personnel. I can assure you that no employee is paid other than based on the board adopted pay scale. This is another good example of how it is easy to make accusations, but no specific example of this has been brought to my attention. Most of the citizenry is familiar with the strong employee organization entitled the Alabama Education Association (AEA). Anyone familiar with the strength of the organization will know that such a practice of paying one employee differently than another will most certainly not be tolerated by this organization."
The Centreville Press: Some have suggested many people are paid by this school system, off the books or under the table. Are any of these allegations true?
Dr. Don Elam: "Unlike a small business, the Bibb County Board of Education does not have flexibility or leeway in accounting procedures. There is no petty cash fund, and no off the books or under the table way of paying for anything. The school system has a Chief School Financial Officer who oversees the accounting practices of the Board of Education, and there is a very clear system of checks and balances. Accountability measures are in place commensurate with best practices as outlined by the State of Alabama Examiners of Public Accounts. Financial information is available on the Bibb County Board of Education website, including accounts payable information."
The Centreville Press: "You have been accused by a former administrator who worked under you of reposting bids on jobs contracted by the Bibb County Board of Education. Are these allegations true? "
Dr. Don Elam: "The Bibb County Board of Education complies with the State of Alabama Competitive Bid and Public Works Laws. The Bibb County Board of Education is audited annually by the State of Alabama Examiners of Public Accounts. The bids of the Bibb County Board of Education are among the records subject to examination and audit. Not knowing exactly what is in question here, I will make a couple of general statements regarding circumstances which may be viewed as reposting of bids. If a bid is opened, and all of the bids are over budget, then the specifications will be revisited and the project bid again. If a bid is opened, and there are no bids in compliance with the specifications set forth in the bid, then the bid could be reposted under the Competitive Bid Law. If a contract is in place, and the contracted service provider does not provide the services as outlined in the terms of the contract, then the contract could be terminated under the terms outlined in the contract. Under these circumstances, the unfinished work to be performed would be reposted for competitive bids. The bids received by the Bibb County Board of Education are public records. Bids are always publicly opened and read, and voted on by the Bibb County Board of Education in a public meeting. The minutes of the Bibb County Board of Education are public documents and are available on the district website."
The Centreville Press: Your opponent suggests he will bring God back to school. Being that Bibb County is regarded as a Christian community what programs are in place which operate under State and Federal guidelines that allow students spiritual appreciation? Are there currently any programs which could strengthen a students spiritual connection with their faith that have no been implemented by Bibb County Schools?
Dr. Don Elam: "There isn’t a door so high nor a lock so strong that could keep God out of any building! Daniel of the Old Testament certainly knew this when he became a captive of Babylon. Prayer was still part of his life and God remained paramount to him. God is wherever His people are present. The rights of every individual are taken into consideration in offering programs in the Bibb County School System. The Bibb County Board of Education must comply with the mandates in place under Separation of Church and State as guaranteed in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The values of the community are carefully regarded by schools, and our teachers and employees are, for the most part, community members, and reflect the values of the community. The Bibb County Board of Education respects the beliefs of each individual and family, and operates completely within federal and state laws and guidance to protect the rights of all students and personnel. Currently in place are Bible classes, Student Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) organizations, a student-led Christian group meets on Wednesday in the media center at one of the high schools, and student led prayer at the flagpole, as examples."
The Centreville Press: "Dr. Elam, during this interview I have not asked you to respond directly to your opponent, but will now offer you the chance to do so. Dr. Morgan will be offered the same opportunity later today in his interview. Is there anything about your opponents campaign you would like to address directly?
Dr Don Elam: "I do not believe in mudslinging, and have never run a campaign that way. The one thing I am fed up with, however, which has come from his campaign, is the negativity. Our teachers, administrators, and students deserve to be credited for the fine job they are doing and will continue to do. I have not heard one thing from his campaign where he has complimented any educator, any student, or any administrator. All he is talking about is himself and what he thinks is wrong with the schools now, but even what he is about the schools is either a part truth or completely inaccurate. This community deserves to hear the positives as much as the negatives. Everything good, which has come from the Bibb County School system, is a credit to our teachers and administrators. Most importantly our students have worked hard to exceed the expectations of the cynical. Whether I am elected or not I am proud of our school system."
INTERVIEW END
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