Tammy Covil, candidate for NH County Board of Education, on the issues

Friends, When running for public office, candidates are often asked to answer questions regarding their position on issues that relate to the office they seek.  Many times there are limits placed on the number of words or character strokes that can be used in response.  Due to the weighty nature of the issues at hand and the context needed  to adequately express a position, this can present a serious challenge.  Therefore,  in the interest of full disclosure, I thought you would like to read the full context of my answers for the Star News Voter Guide. Please share this information with your family and friends. Don’t forget - early voting begins October 18th! Sincerely, Tammy Covil CovilforBoardofEducation.com How do you feel about the salary increase teachers are getting this fall?   Should it be more?  Should it be permanent?  Good teachers are the backbone of our school system.  As a parent whose children attend New Hanover County public schools, I am fortunate to know some of our best and brightest educators because many of them have taught my own children. They deserve our respect and to be paid a fair wage for their service.  Unfortunately, teachers and teaching assistants are usually the first to experience pay cuts and layoffs.  In my view, the classroom is the LAST place cuts should be made.  Therefore, I believe that if we combine and/or eliminate some of the redundant and costly administrative positions at the state level, we will then be able to pay teachers more competitively and put resources back into the classroom where they will best serve the needs of our students. Two new charter schools could open in Wilmington by fall of 2013. What’s  your take on charter schools and their public-funding model? One of the greatest benefits of living in New Hanover County is the availability of school choice.  If a school fails to meet a child’s academic needs, parents have access to options.  For this reason, I am a staunch supporter of all schools of choice: charter schools, neighborhood schools, year-round schools, and magnet schools.  By definition, a charter school is a public school in that it is funded with taxpayer dollars.  I am not opposed to this funding model because I am confident in our public school system’s ability to compete for enrollment.  As a member of the New Hanover County Board of Education, I will work to expand school choice options for families because I firmly believe the resulting competition will raise the quality of our education system. Under new federal testing measures, different subgroups of students have  different testing targets in an effort to close the achievement gap.  How do  you feel about this? When referring to the achievement gap, we are specifically addressing the academic disparity between primarily low-income, minority students and their white counterparts.  Lowering academic standards based on race and/or socioeconomic status to give the appearance of increasing achievement is absurd.  Not only does a policy such as this shortchange the students it’s purporting to help, it gives those in control of funding an excuse to funnel more taxpayer money toward these subgroups.  I don’t subscribe to the “soft bigotry of low expectations” because I believe ALL students are capable of high achievement, regardless of race or socioeconomic status.  Adjusting testing targets for students with diagnosed learning disabilities, however, is appropriate. What do you think about the state legislature’s new school calendar law,  which will go into effect for 2013-2014, requiring students to attend a  minimum of hours or days? Local education agencies should have the ability to schedule the school yearbased upon their unique circumstances, including geographical location and the needs of their respective communities.   Some areas in North Carolina experience extreme weather conditions that may require more flexibility when rescheduling missed days: for example, the coastal areas vulnerable to tropical storms and the mountainous regions that experience significant snowfall in the winter.  As long as the district is fully completing the required course curriculum, adherence to arbitrarily set dates should not be a priority.  What do you uniquely bring to the board of education? All four of my children attend New Hanover County Schools. I have spent countless hours tutoring, reading with students, volunteering in the library, and assisting teachers in the classroom.  I have also served for many years in leadership positions on various education-related boards, including PTAs and School Improvement Teams.  Additionally, my husband and I are small business owners.  My business 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.  friend on Facebook | forward to a friend  Copyright © 2012 Covil for Board of Education, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you have expressed an interest in supporting my campaign. Our mailing address is: Covil for Board of Education 1108 Sheffield Court Wilmington, NC 28411