Walton County Meet the Candidates - Tuesday, July 15, 2008

[Smiling JOe]

Looking back over my notes, I failed to give praise to Mark Davis. I think he has a passionate opponent, but I'm leaning toward Mark.

Also, thanks to the audience for the questions. I loved the one asked to Robert Nelson's opponent about teaching to the bottom quarter of the class, and ignoring the upper quarter. I think Mildred (bless her heart) really botched that answer.

Robert, I'm curious as to how you and Mark would respond to that same question. Will you address it on this thread for us. I know you have the benefit of time to think about it, and are not on stage in front of a live, hungry audience, but I'd like to hear it addressed. I know some students in our school system in that top quarter, who tell me that they are not given any attention and are not challenged at all.

I'd also like to know what you think about the health of our kids. It seems to me that schools are cutting out P.E. classes, and we load our kids up with sugar and caffeine. If a kid's body isn't in good shape, his mind will likely not be in good condition to learn. Are we providing the kids with nutritionally healthy foods at school? Are we teaching them about good health? Having graduates in good health will lead to a healthy work force.

 

[mdd88jd]

Dear Smilin Joe: Thanks for the compliment. Tuesday was the first time I had really met my opponet and frankly, I was impressed. She seems to be a very nice lady, who, like me, is passionate about public education. But, to answer your questions.
I loved the one asked to Robert Nelson's opponent about teaching to the bottom quarter of the class, and ignoring the upper quarter.
I believe this happens as a result of the FCAT and the grading system. Probably happens more in the elementary and middle grades, but, I am sure it occurs throughout the district. You have to remember that the school grade is based largely on how the bottom 25% of the tested students improve their scores. Thus, in my opinion, too many resources and too much time is spent trying to improve their scores. The upper level students, who generally do very well on the FCAT simply do not get that attention. This is an issue I have been working on very hard. I believe we must pour money and resources into AP classes, advanced classes etc., so every student can be challenged. However, EVERY class should be taught with the highest expectations for EVERY student. I have often argued that a "C" grade in a class with rigorous standard and expectations is better that an "A" where those standards are not so rigourous. And, I do disagree with my opponet on one issue. If I understood her correctly, she said that she supported using dual enrollment as a substitute for advanced classes at our schools. I believe that a student should not have to choose to leave her high school environment to be challenged.
I have used the bully pulpit of my school board seat trying to move our district away from concentrating on putting money and time into making sure each school receives an "A" to putting emphasis on creating a successful student. I think we can do both, but, sometimes the pendulum swings too far to getting that school grade.

Are we providing the kids with nutritionally healthy foods at school? Are we teaching them about good health? Having graduates in good health will lead to a healthy work force.

There are health classes and health curriculum (as part of science classes) that a child is exposed to throughout their time in schoo. P.E. is now mandatory for 30 minutes each day in the elementary grades. Again, however, that P.E. time in middle and high school gets sacrificed in order to comply with mandatory remediation for students who make a certain score on the FCAT. That cuts into the PE and other electives. Our school lunches must meet certain dietary guidelines. Someone on the boards asked about vending machines on campus'. I know I have seen them and I am checking on what they sale. I know some of the soda companies used to let the school use the vending machines as fund raisers, but, they could only be used during a certain time of the day. I don't know if they are selling sodas now. I will check. Go to an elementary school and walk the halls and you will see the childhood obesity problem. It will amaze you. My sister is an elementary school PE teacher and she reports to me that the daily activity she requires of some students is almost too much for them. She is convinced that the only exercise they get is what she requires during her time with the students. She also reports that she is amazed at the number of parents who resist all efforts to get their children to adopt healthy exercise habits. A sign of the times I suppose.

Hope I can convince you to vote for me and thank you for the kind words. Mark.

 

[Seeker1]

not all fooled

Im beginning to think that mr. mike did not llike to be questioned on his policy or his decisions. He seemed very flustered when I questioned him about his efforts with Tallahassee Pd. especially when I told him I knew the sgt. that is over the accreditation there. Now and THEN. He suddenly became very interested in "mingling". Hmmmm.

 

[sidandpattib]

Anyone want to carpool to Panhandle Opry this Saturday?

 

[idlewind]

Im beginning to think that mr. mike did not llike to be questioned on his policy or his decisions. He seemed very flustered when I questioned him about his efforts with Tallahassee Pd. especially when I told him I knew the sgt. that is over the accreditation there. Now and THEN. He suddenly became very interested in "mingling". Hmmmm.

This type of behavior seems to be an unwelcome trend with Mr. Adkinson. I hope he can get a little more thick-skinned if he wants to win.

 

[wrobert]

Also, thanks to the audience for the questions. I loved the one asked to Robert Nelson's opponent about teaching to the bottom quarter of the class, and ignoring the upper quarter. I think Mildred (bless her heart) really botched that answer.

SJ,

Sorry for the delay. Catching up after being out of town. I believe that we need more challenging classes for those upper 25% to be challenged. Using Florida Virtual School and adding additional class offerings we should be able to come up with a curriculum that keeps that upper group excited about school. I know from experience, my son in particular, has had some issues in class that I believe are mostly boredom. Just so many FCAT worksheets anyone should be expected to complete is what he tells me.

I'd also like to know what you think about the health of our kids. It seems to me that schools are cutting out P.E. classes, and we load our kids up with sugar and caffeine. If a kid's body isn't in good shape, his mind will likely not be in good condition to learn. Are we providing the kids with nutritionally healthy foods at school? Are we teaching them about good health? Having graduates in good health will lead to a healthy work force.

I have stated on this forum in the past, highly nutritional food is going to lead to less disciplinary problems and higher test scores. This has been shown in other districts in this country and I feel strongly we need to take a serious look at what we might be able to do here. Remember in some parts of the county, school lunch is more than likely going to be the only nutritional meal these kids are getting. Just go hang out at the local grocery in DeFuniak and watch what the parents are putting in their buggies. We have to take the lead on this issue so that the children will know how to eat right. We must do more than just hang up some food pyramid posters.

 

[Busta Hustle]

here are a couple of suggestions for future leaders to consider...

Make the speed limits 35MPH on the north south feeder roads from 30-A, namely 283,395, Thompson and Camp Creek(golf)...

You then could use GEM electric vehicles from the neighborhoods north of 98 to the beach...


Cut the TDC tax by 10% annually for the next 5 years

Remove side arms from the Walton County Fuzz (i challenge anyone to comment that it would be emboldening the terrorist):funn:

 

[ShallowsNole]

here are a couple of suggestions for future leaders to consider...

Make the speed limits 35MPH on the north south feeder roads from 30-A, namely 283,395, Thompson and Camp Creek(golf)...

You then could use GEM electric vehicles from the neighborhoods north of 98 to the beach...


Cut the TDC tax by 10% annually for the next 5 years

Remove side arms from the Walton County Fuzz (i challenge anyone to comment that it would be emboldening the terrorist):funn:

Buddy, how in the heck would one cut the TDT by 10% when it is only 4% to start with? And I don't mean to say "only" because that's a significant amount of money, but that means we'd be paying folks 6% to come here - which would promptly be snapped up by the Florida Department of Revenue for their 7%. That does not compute. Please come up with another plan.

I won't comment on your last statement...as that's absurd

 

[wrobert]

Buddy, how in the heck would one cut the TDT by 10% when it is only 4% to start with? And I don't mean to say "only" because that's a significant amount of money, but that means we'd be paying folks 6% to come here - which would promptly be snapped up by the Florida Department of Revenue for their 7%. That does not compute. Please come up with another plan.

I won't comment on your last statement...as that's absurd

I think they mean reduce it by 10% so that it would be 3.6% then 3.3% and so on until gone.

But you are correct, the last statement sort of invalidates anything else that is said.

 

[ShallowsNole]

I think they mean reduce it by 10% so that it would be 3.6% then 3.3% and so on until gone.

But you are correct, the last statement sort of invalidates anything else that is said.

Okay, I understand what he is saying. He is saying ShallowsNole and company don't have enough to do as it is; let's play with the tax rate. Let's make it an odd number so that absolutely nobody collects or pays the correct amount, which will cause ShallowsNole and company to waste ream upon ream of paper and inordinate amounts of time and postage printing over/short notices. Yeah, that sure would save money.

I'm just hoping nobody gets the bright idea to follow Okaloosa's lead and bump it to 5%...