Wissahickon Parents Hold School Board Candidates Forum

Wednesday night, the Wissahickon Parents Class of 2012 held a Candidates Forum for the eight candidates for school board director. While two of the candidates confirmed the date, and two candidates, Gene Murphy and Barbara Ullery responded that they had a scheduling conflict, the group did not hear from the rest of the candidates.

The forum became more of a discussion between candidates Ron Stoloff and Burunda Prince-Jones and the interested parents who gathered in the .

Prince-Jones has two students in the school district and one child who has graduated from the district. Her family has always been involved in education and her husband is in the education field. “Its an important passion of mine,” she said.

Prince-Jones, an incumbent on the board, added, “It’s all about our kids…I’m here because of you and I’m here because of our kids.”

Stoloff, who taught in the Philadelphia School District for 35 years, believes someone on the board should know what happens in the classroom after the door closes. He said his son went through Philadelphia public schools.

Both candidates agreed that public education is an "equalizer" in the United States.

“Public education is the one thing that equalizes everyone,” said Prince-Jones.

“Public Education…has been the great equalizer…I want to keep that going,” said Stoloff.

Education Reform

On the question of education reform, Prince-Jones said it comes down to accountability and assessment: accountability of the Board, the Leadership Team and the community. But also how you assess or measure all students and fairly construct a system to produce the desired outcome.

She added that the School Board’s Curriculum and Technology Committee, which she chairs, looks at the PSSA and PSAT scores, as well as applications to colleges and acceptances to college to assess the school’s improvement. They also take this information and compare it to neighboring districts as well as nationally and internationally.

Stoloff said the No Child Left Behind Act only measures testing and only in certain subjects, and it doesn’t really look at the whole student. He also said the test is a “high stakes” test for everyone except the student.

He added that while the “Board can do little to affect state policy” they have to play the game to increase the scores of students who aren’t proficient so they reach adequate scores on the statewide tests.

Taxes

Prince-Jones said she always does what is in the best interest of the students. TO her, that means investing in good teachers because good teaching means good learning. She said the Board has done everything to cut coasts without touching teaching and learning.

Stoloff said the district has been fortunate that the Board  “squirreled money away” and hasn’t had the need to raise taxes during these tough economic times, and have instead been “eating into that reserve.”

He said the board should “save money everywhere that is possible.” However, he also cautioned that he doesn’t want to see the board trying to save money while at the same time destroying the district.

Communication

Parents asked the two candidates how communication between the Board and the residents and parents of the districts could become more effective.

Prince-Jones said she attends at least one parent meeting a month, whether it’s at her child’s school or not. She added that she attends these meetings to listen, not to speak.

She also said that the School Board’s Committee meetings are open to the public and the community is welcome to attend, as those meetings are more of a discussion than the full board meetings. She said, “Don’t wait to be invited.” And added, “If you’re not happy [with the Board] you have a vote.”