TAMMY JOBIN COVIL
Republican candidate for the New Hanover County Board of Education.
Professional background
Includes managing business operations at New Horizons Elementary School and at her husband Tommy Covil’s hauling contractor business.
Educational background
Associate degree in Applied Science – Accounting.
Family in New Hanover County schools
Four children attending Laney High, Trask Middle and Eaton Elementary schools.
COVIL IS COMMITTED CONSERVATIVE, QUALIFIED AND READY TO SERVE
By Verne Strickland Strickland, April 4, 2012
These are excerpts from a recent interview with Tammy Covil, who agreed to share some of her experience and philosophy with me for USA DOT COM
VS: What do you see as some of your most important experience in qualifying you for this leadership post?
Most of my experience has been working with teachers in the classroom -- at the school level. They have expressed to me that they are like middle management. They have a lot of authority to ensure that teachers are performing and testing well, and doing their job effectively, but are not really given the resources with which to do that.
Oftentimes when they complain to administrators, there’s not much sympathy for them in those terms. The government of many large organizations like this has become so top-heavy, with people at the top siphoning off large salaries money that could be better utilized in the classroom.
They are over-burdened by paperwork and regimentation, documentation, and have to have benchmark testing. So many things take away from classroom instruction time. It can be so heavily regulated to the point we lose good teachers to over-regulation.
I work for a private elementary school as office manager. I had the privilege of sitting in on the interview process when we were looking for a first grade teacher. It was very striking to me when we would interview teachers who come from the private sector versus teachers coming from the New Hanover Co Public School system.
The teachers from the private sector would answer the questions based on what they would do. Every teacher who came from New Hanover County county public schools asked, "Do you mean what is the policy?."
These teachers are supposed to be instructing our teachers on how to be critical thinkers, gather information, make informed decision based on that. They’re not even allowed to do that in their own classroom.
So how can they teach our children based on their own concept? It's very striking to me. We are losing very good teachers as a result of this. Just out of sheer frustration. But once they’re in the system, you can’t get rid of them.
I asked Sup. Markley, "What is your procedure when you evaluate that teacher and find the individual is not effective? How can you fire them?"
His response was, "Well we have professional development.We’ll just have to shift that teacher around from one place to the next."
But there is no plan for firing an ineffective teacher.
Some say there’s no such thing as tenure. But that’s not true. I think after four years in the system, a teacher is officially tenured. I think that’s what’s wrong with our system. After four years, where’s the incentive for that teacher to continue their own education, look for new ways to develop their skills and professionalism, when they don’t have to?
That’s the difference between what’s happening in the private sector and the public institutions.
VS: What other major concerns would you address were you to be elected?
I believe in the power of competition. The State Legislature had just lifted the cap on public charter schools, which I think is a good thing. I’d like to see more options for parents in providing that competition because when schools have to compete for enrollment, they must perform.
In the year-round system – you have kids waiting to get into that school, and it’s no different – the curriculum is the same, no different in how day or class time is structured over the year.
We can’t consider public education system as a surrogate parent. You can’t put your kid in school, wash your hands and say, "I’ll see you in 12 years."
What I’m really about is offering parents as many options as possible. I’m a staunch supporter of neighborhood schools, of year-round schools, of schools of choice, Some parents may not totally like the schools they are districted for, may not be in position to live in an area that is totally desirable, but giving those parents options is key.
It holds those schools accountable. With Virgo, an open enrollment school, parents pulled their school out because they didn’t like what was happening.
Those are some of the main positions I will work for if elected.
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From Lumina News:
Overregulation a challenge for public schools, Covil says
Overregulation is a challenge public schools face, as teachers are tasked with unrealistic expectations regarding student testing and burdensome paperwork, New Hanover County Board of Education candidate Tammy Covil has said.
"Less regulation and more individual school autonomy will free teachers to do their jobs more efficiently and effectively," Covil said recently.
Covil supports expanding school choices for parents, such as neighborhood, year-round, magnet and charter schools, all of which she said leads to more competition and greater performance and accountability.
Partnering with parents and reaching students early on can help with achievement, she said.
"By the time they get to middle and high school if you haven’t built a strong sense of how important it is to get a good education and those children are not performing well and enjoying school it’s going to be difficult to reach them at that stage," said Covil, who has served as a member of the School Improvement Team and the Parent Teacher Association at Eaton Elementary School.
How would you recommend schools keep programs and educators amid state budget cuts?
The lion’s share of the school system’s budget includes federally or state mandated programs whose funding cannot be touched. Therefore, I believe a meaningful reduction in the size and scope of the Department of Public Education, both at the state and federal level, is necessary in order to push funding to local boards. This will allow school boards flexibility to direct funds to the areas where they will serve their respective communities most effectively.
LN: What, if any, education expenses should be cut?
I believe the classroom is one of the last places budget cuts should be made. Funding for budget items that do not directly impact instruction should be one of the first considerations for spending reductions.
LN: What makes you the best-qualified candidate for the school board?
I have spent countless hours tutoring, reading with students, volunteering in the library, and assisting teachers in the classroom. Additionally, I have spent many years serving in leadership positions on various education-related boards. My experience, coupled with the fact that as a parent I am a true stakeholder of public education, qualifies me to serve as a member of the board of education. Having first-hand knowledge of the challenges facing teachers and students gives me a unique perspective that will be invaluable in my service to families of New Hanover County.
http://www.luminanews.com/article.asp?aid=9965&iid=317&sud=30
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