Saturday, March 22, 2008

School Board candidiates - Summary

Here is SP-EYE's perhaps overly simplified summary of the 5 candidates' perceived strengths and weaknesses. Summaries are offere here in ballot order. The election is April 1, 2008. Don't be a fool, VOTE!


JILL CAMBER-DAVIDSON
Positives:

  • Experience: served on Finance and now Education & Policy Committees

  • Fiscal awareness demonstrated during Finance committee tenure

  • Not a member of the Board-Admin "club"


Concerns:
  • Can appear shy and reserved.




AL SLANE
Positives:

  • Brings a fresh perspective

  • Engineering & technology skills a plus


Concerns:

  • A little too much of a Jim Carrel groupie

  • No committee experience; lacks knowledge of board operations



TERRY SHIMEK
Positives:

  • Familiarity with district operations

  • Financial knowledge


Concerns:

  • Professionalism a question mark. Seen on numerous occasions laughing AT fellow committee members' sincere comments

  • Interest in the board seems to come and go. Ran 3 years ago

  • Wife is a teacher...a potential conflict of interest?

  • Too familiar with the District Administration?

  • No response to League of Women Voters' candidate questionnaire




DAVID STACKHOUSE (I)

Positives:

  • Experienced (3 yrs)

  • Keeps a level head


Concerns:

  • Tends to pontificate at times

  • Have seen some vote reversals



MARY ELLEN HAVEL-LANG (I)


Positives:

  • The school board is her life

  • Experienced (12 yrs)

  • Charming... if you agree with her

  • Uses Roberts' Rules as her personal weapon


Concerns:

  • The school board is her life

  • Tone turns nasty...if you dont agree with her

  • Too cozy with administration

  • 12 years is too much; 15 years would be WAY too much