Three seeks spot on school board

Three candidates, including the incumbent, are competing for the District 1 seat on the Jay School Board, while incumbents in District 4 and District 6 are unopposed.
Seeking the District 1, city of Portland, seat on the board are Jim Sanders, Kristi Griffith Betts, and Kirk Comer.
Incumbent Jim Sanders, 420 E. Votaw St., is retired. A graduate of Portland High School, he was first elected to the board four years ago.
Betts, 404 W. Race St., is a substitute teacher and also works as a financial secretary and business consultant. A graduate of Sturgis, Mich., High School, she is a 1992 graduate of IUPUI in pre-applied health sciences and a 1993 graduate of Kalamazoo Valley community College as an EMT-paramedic. A past PTO president, she has been active with the Patriot Band Boosters and as a youth group leader at Trinity United Methodist Church. She’s former owner of Sugar ’n’ Slice pastry shop in Portland.
Comer, 835 E. Water St., attended Ball State University for two years and works in team sales. He has also coached for a number of school corporations, including Jay Schools.
All three candidates responded to a questionnaire from The Commercial Review. Their answers follow.
What prompted you to seek a seat on the Jay School Board?
Betts: “It is a position I have considered for many years and ran for two years ago. I decided that prior to seeking election, it was important for me to be involved in the schools. I have spent hours educating myself on operations and policies that are in place as well as those that can use improvement.  After much prayer, reading and consideration, I feel I have a lot to add as a member of the school board.”
Comer: “I have always received great satisfaction from helping our youth. This is a way I can help all our kids in Jay Schools.”
Sanders: “Four years ago when I took a position on the school board, indebtedness was a large concern. It remains a problem that definitely requires attention today. Another concern is that the children receive the very best education so they may advance in life to a successful position, preferably in the Jay County area. I definitely care about the taxpayers and appreciate their input on matters concerning our school system. Not being a person to be intimidated into a decision if my better judgment and common sense tells me it will not have a positive impact is a few of the reasons why I seek re-election.”
What do you see as the role of the board and the role of individual school board members?
Betts: “The role of the board is to act as a group, setting policies and goals for the administrator to implement and achieve. The individual school board member’s role is to serve the people and represent everyone’s voice in decisions. The bottom line is in every decision made, there needs to be consideration on ‘how will this decision help educate the students and show the board to be good stewards of public funding?’”
Comer: “I think the role of a board member is to make sure our kids have a voice.”
Sanders: “As a board member of seven where the majority rules, I have been consistent with my comments, questions, and voting. I have voted no on many motions on matters I felt was not the best at the time or was completely out of line. Regardless of my objections, the majority prevailed and voted in favor of the motions. My role as are others is to be be prepared when entering a meeting and ready to discuss what needs done and how it can be done in a manner that is responsible and best for Jay County. Having an open mind and being prepared to make tough decisions or table any subject that does not present quantifiable information so a sound decision can be made. To seek harmony as a group and maintain productive open and honest discussions.
“It is my role and firm belief that as a representative of the citizens of Jay County I must act on their best behalf on all matters. I believe my duty includes asking direct questions or questioning any statement or action placed before me regardless of who made the presentation. Board members are entrusted by their election to make the most honest judgments or decisions possible. Making a difficult decision may not be popular either way so it must be soundest reasons and right thing to do for all concerned.”
Reductions in state support have forced a number of spending cuts in recent years by Jay Schools. What should the criteria be for further cuts that may lie ahead in future years?
Betts: “We are in a good place, today. The state funding is an ever changing, ever evolving issue. I can see many ways that we can cut costs and I am sure that the people I would represent have ideas for this as well. I would be open to hearing them! Having been in the schools, I can say that just being more aware of the use of resources such as utilities, supplies and staff hours, there are places that money can be saved.
“The education of our children should be the least affected.  There are policies in place to be good stewards of tax payer money. There are always new ideas and suggestions for ways to save money, the public should be heard on that.
“If we continue to intelligently use our resources, as we have through these economic downturns, we can make ends meet, and not reduce staff like many of our neighboring school corporations have done.  This will result in better class sizes and better educations for Jay County children.”
Comer: “If we are forced to make cuts then I think a committee should be formed and we should make cuts where it would least impact our kids.”
Sanders: “Sometimes you cannot have an exact answer, especially when the decision will be coming from the government. In any case, you must have the ability and information on hand to act or react to a specific circumstance or situation.
Discussions have been held outlining possible solutions in the event cuts or reductions are mandated. Being prepared is by having all the current possibilities available and other plans and ideas ready if needed. Regardless of any cut or reduction my stance is the education of our children will not diminish.”
What do you see as the greatest strength of Jay Schools?
Betts: “I have to say that the strength of Jay Schools lies in the heritage. We are fortunate to have many families in our communities that have been multi-generational citizens of Jay County. With this brings a sense of pride and community. It also helps bring understanding and tolerance. We are not a ‘closed’ community, just one with deep roots and expectations.”  
Comer: “I think the people are the greatest strength of Jay Schools.”
Sanders: “Children are the strength of our schools. Our future will rely on our children and they must be educated to be our leaders. We must include the parents that tolerate many things along the bumpy road of education and growing up. When I became a board member my most enjoyable times were spent sitting in classrooms where I realized we have some very good teachers. In practically every class the children were attentive and eager to participate in all activities.”
What do you perceive to be the greatest weakness of Jay Schools?
Betts: “I would say that the greatest weakness is adaptation of the demands put on Jay Schools, the students and teachers, by the state. The weakness isn’t necessarily with our system but the way that we are forced to conform.
If we can make those demands match what works well with our system, things would be much smoother. I believe that we need to find a way to meet the state standards in a way that doesn’t compromise the values and goals that we have as Jay Schools.”
Comer: “I think we can always improve in technology, staying up with the latest technology to benefit our kids.”
Sanders: “I believe that lack of involvement creates weakness in any endeavor.
“Participation by parents is the ground work to success which includes the homework and other activities of a child whenever possible. The school board needs more involvement by the citizens expressing themselves in public meetings. Being a matter of public record can or should assist a board in making the best decisions and corrective actions possible if necessary. The input, suggestions, and ideas expressed at public meetings help gain input to insure the schools are progressing in a manner which serves the community and the academic excellence of our students.
If you were grading the school corporation with a report card, what letter grade would you give each of the following and why? Elementary schools? Middle schools? High school? Central office? The Jay School Board?
Betts: “Elementary schools: I would give the elementary schools an A. There is always room for improvement. For the most part, they are kid-centered and actively seeking ways to improve education and save money. The administrators make the elementary schools positive learning environments.
“Middle schools: I would give the middle schools a B+. The teachers and support staff are excellent, but there is a lack of consistency in discipline and rewards between the two middle schools.
“This results in some confusion when the students merge at the high school level. The morale is lacking a bit, the teachers are working very hard, and they need to be recognized for that.
“Jay County High School: I would give the high school a B+.  The programs that JCHS offers are vast in number compared to many schools. The discipline system currently in place is very impressive. The drop-out rate, while decreasing, is still a concern to me. I think we need to find a way to reach the students and their families that are at a higher risk of dropping out. We are not the only school facing problems with drop-outs, we need to recognize the problem and seek solutions.
“Central Office: I would give them a B+. They are knowledgeable, kind, and prompt. They understand that their job is important to the community. I’m waiting to see what the RISE Program brings to our corporation. With everything, there is room for improvement.
“The Board: After reading the board member manual, I would give them a B+. It states very clearly what the board member rules are. There are a few members who don’t follow those set rules. That is when conflicts occur. There are many in the community that have voiced opinions to me that we have a ‘yes, sir’ system. I am not afraid to oppose the majority. I am not afraid to present my ideas. There is a time and place for that and there are procedures to follow. I intend to represent the voices of many.”
Comer: “Looking from the outside I see that our test scores are in the top 10 of improvement in ISTEP testing.”
Sanders: “Elementary schools, middle schools, high schools: B. This grade and evaluation is the same for every school. Since coming on the board I have seen advancements take place in all the schools. Knowing there is more to be done but with detours and delays along the way I am confident we will achieve a favorable outcome. I am a believer in our children and have seen the accomplishments in the last four years.
“Central Office: D. It is difficult to evaluate a group when you actually have little contact with everyone.
“Grading cannot be by the numbers alone. Indications of what numbers are depends on how and where you want them to appear. In part, I must say that I do not believe that the board has always received the most complete and accurate information available. I also have concerns about decisions and judgments that have been made at other times.
“The first concerns and interests of any administrator should be the children and citizens of Jay County and no others, foreign or domestic.
“School Board: C-. A remark embedded in my mind is, ‘The board approved it.’ And so they did with or without due diligence or consideration of future repercussions. The board has also allowed the administration to become top heavy, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars in wages, benefits, and expenses. The board has continued to extend the contract of the superintendent, leaving future board members no opportunity to participate in the process except to follow the leader and extend it again. No contract should exceed three years.
“When a contract term nears an end, the board will have a decision to make.
“Simply begin negotiating a new contract or start looking for a new superintendent. No board member should be allowed to be seated if they have a near relative working within Jay Schools or if they are a vendor that sells merchandise to any department in the corporation.
“I believe this makes a difference in the decisions they make on recommendations, thoughts, hiring practices, and voting on matters that may not be in the best interest of Jay County.”

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