Kingwood Now

"I had the opportunity to participate in the School Board Candidates' Forum on Thursday , April 24. I heard many things said by candidates that left me wondering why they said what they said. We have serious challenges ahead that no amount of embellishment or platitudes are going to address.

Almost all of the candidates stated that we need to raise teacher pay. Absolutely we must. What I didn't hear from them was how we would do that. As I explained Thursday evening, and this isn't rocket science, you will have to add to the revenue stream or cut other operating expenses and /or achieve increased operating efficiencies. We will need to do all of these things. (After the forum, one teacher approached me and thanked me for being honest about the salary issue, and that I didn't pander to the crowd.)

Increasing revenues would come from a combination of higher local taxes and a change to the state's current funding system. Can we make the case to the taxpayers to pay more? The state says they are funding an adequate education. It's a question of your definition of adequate.

I don't share their definition. Some candidates spoke about their recent conversations with Rep. Crabb and Sen. Williams and how these legislators were aware of our plight. I have been speaking to both of them over the last two plus years, as I cross paths with them at many business/community/political functions. They have told me time and again that the state's share of funding is adequate. Obviously there is still much persuading left for us to do. Are we up to the task? This is what I asked audience members. Are they willing to board buses and make frequent trips to Austin? Are they willing to make phone calls and write letters on a sustained basis? Are they willing to support with time and money, statewide grass roots efforts?

On the expense side of the equation, cuts from the operating budget will start to be painful very quickly. By far the largest portion of operating expenses is salaries and benefits. Across the board, we already pay our teachers below the 73rd percentile compared to other area districts. It makes it difficult to compete in the labor market. Do we want to put ourselves in an even more uncompetitive position?

There are also operating efficiencies to be gained but they will take time and hard work to achieve. If we ask our middle and high school teachers to take on more students by eliminating a conference period or by increasing student/teacher ratios, then we will need to use part of that "savings" to increase teacher pay. For example, if we achieve an $8 million annual savings from the conference period change, then $4 million should be used to increase teacher pay, based on some combination of performance/length of service.

Continuing with operating efficiencies, the preliminary consultants' report noted that we should work to have "shared services", i.e. a statewide student and financial management system that is shared by all districts, drastically reducing costs. I've had that suggestion on my Web site for two years. I'm glad it's finally getting some play. There are other ways to stretch operating dollars by bringing non-cost resources to the classroom. Please see the Let's Discuss page on my web site www.robertscarfo.com for more details.

It was also interesting to hear some candidates talk about how they had been visiting campuses to talk with principals. While they've been visiting I've continued working on campuses. I already have good working relationships with all of the high school and middle school principals and many of their campus staff because of my work over the years at the schools and on many district committees. Please feel free to contact them to ask their opinion of me. The same is true for many of our elementary schools, particularly three of our Title 1 elementary schools. This is another big difference between me and the other candidates. My involvement has been district-wide and sustained over a number of years.

When asked if there were any programs/services that as a Board member you would refrain from placing on the potential cut list, I was the only one to name special education programs.

A question was asked about how much of a premium you would support t paying for more eco-friendly buildings. All the candidates responded that they would support premiums varying from 3% to 5%. I was the only one to say 0%. Unless there is a relatively short payback period of 5-7 years, we are in no position to pay more just to feel better about ourselves. Another question asked if you would favor eliminating Quest HS, as it only serves 225 students. I was the only one who seemed to know that because of grants, Quest is almost fully self-supporting.

Many candidates listed involvement they have had in the district. It was either fairly recent, limited, or had been as an employee. I'm proud to say that none of the candidates, particularly in Position 7, can come close to matching my depth or length of involvement in the district as a volunteer.

I am asking for your vote and your support because I believe I am the most qualified candidate.

Thank you.
Robert Scarfo"

Polls will be open on May 10, 2008, from 7AM to 7PM at the following locations:

Foster Elementary School - 1800 Trailwood Village Kingwood, TX 77339
Kingwood Middle School - 2407 Pine Terrace Kingwood, TX 77339
Creekwood Middle School - 3603 Lake Houston Parkway Kingwood, TX 77339
Humble City Hall/Council Chamber - 114 W. Higgins Street Humble, Texas 77338
North Belt Elementary School - 8105 North Belt Drive Humble, TX 77338
Oaks Elementary School - 5858 Upper Lake Drive Humble, TX 77338

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