CALVERT EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
QUESTIONALRE FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER CANDIDATE
QUESTIONALRE FOR COUNTY COMMISSIONER CANDIDATE
1. What are your top objectives for Calvert County if you are elected County Commissioner?
Improve Education Funding Formula – Current formula is flawed; clearly some factors were missing which contributed to the recent salary crisis.
Improve Business Environment – Small business needs help to create employment opportunities.
2. What is your view of the purpose of public education?
Primary purpose is to assist parents who are ultimately responsible for the successful education of their children. Public education needs to ensure students receive the opportunity to learn how to think, from analytic solutions, and become responsible citizens.
3. If you are elected Commissioner, how do you anticipate understanding the Calvert Public Schools and budgeting needs of the school system? Particularly the needs of the school system for testing and other new mandates from the State.
The Board of County Commissioners should work with the Board of Education to establish the framework/expectations to be implemented by the school system. Teachers and educators/staff should feel comfortable knowing that as Commissioner, I would hold their advice and counsel in strict confidence. I will reject any unfunded mandate and encourage tailoring others towards local needs and objectives.
4. Would you consider renegotiating the current funding formula (with the Board of Education) to provide increased resources for Education?
My campaign literature, from the very beginning, advocates improving the education funding formula. It should be obvious to even the most casual observer that it needs to be revised. Sadly, the county recently decided to continue with the same flawed formula.
5. What changes would you like to see in the current operation of the school system?
I support giving home schooled students access to county resources. For example, a talented athlete ought to be permitted to play sports for the school in the district in which the student resides.
6. Once contracts are negotiated between employee groups and the Calvert County Public Schools, are you committed to full funding of the negotiated agreement?
Contracts are recognized as legal documents that are enforceable by law. If one party of the contract needs modification to the terms, some acceptable relief needs to be provided to the other party.
7. What experience, skills, and knowledge would you bring to this position?
Former President of a civic association, retired federal employee, and a Masters Degree in Strategic Intelligence as well as current employment as a systems engineer provides me a unique background suitable to bringing new ideas, approaches, and personality to the Board of County Commissioners.
8. How do you feel about school vouchers?
There seems to be little need for vouchers in Calvert County even though some schools need improvements. Demonstrated success in some large city problematic schools occurred with the use of vouchers, but not necessarily relevant for Calvert.
9. What is your opinion of a fair share (agency fee) for teachers?
Teachers should have the option to pay only the amount of union dues needed for the union to represent them for the cost of the union in negotiating and administrating the collective bargaining agreement. The rationale for my position is that not all teachers/employees agree with the political philosophy of a given union. This is a matter of fairness and supports the individual’s ability to freely express themselves.
Evan Slaughenhoupt, July 10, 2010
