By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Three of four Dowagiac Board of Education candidates participated in the first local League of Women Voters of Berrien and Cass Counties forum Thursday night in the Union High School media center.
About 30 people attended to hear the views and educational philosophies of Susan Miller, Bill Leonard and Corinne A. Hoyt in an exchange moderated by Charlotte Omohundro of Sawyer.
The League is a non-partisan organization dedicated to voter education.
Benton Harbor, with six candidates, was the only community besides Dowagiac where the League sponsored such a forum, according to timekeeper Alice LaHaie of Niles.
Current board member Greg Ferrier did not attend.
Steve Newitt withdrew as an active candidate, but too late to keep his name from appearing on the Tuesday, May 3, ballot.
Besides electing one individual to a four-year term on school board, voters will be asked to decide renewal of the 18-mill non-homestead property tax on businesses and second homes and a 1.5-mill property tax increase requested by Southwestern Michigan College.
After three-minute opening statements, eight questions from the League and selected queries submitted in writing by the audience were posed to candidates. Questions were rejected if they delved into personalities or "non-issues."
Miller, a former teacher, summed up her candidacy with, "I've been on the inside in budget crunches and with bullying students. I just think that I have a great insight into what's gone on in the community."
Miller reiterated her positions that a positive influence is needed to navigate the complex world of education today. She defines a board member as someone who can be a "bridge" between the school system and the community as well as an advocate for her electors and their voice. She pledged to bridge that gap with trust and respect for others, fairly investigating concerns. Facts should be gathered before reaching a conclusion to be a true public servant, Miller said.
Leonard said school board members stand up for the public. Since members are voted in to represent the people, they need to listen to constituents and vote accordingly, serving parents and the broader community alike.
Hoyt said she had "no idea" what the role of a board member should be because every meeting she has attended the board is a "rubber stamp" that does what it is told by the administration.
Asked about the relationship between the board and superintendent, Hoyt also said she "can't answer that," and instead addressed the board relationship with the public and the 92 constituents she says she represents.
Reading from the Daily News about her exchange with Bill Lawrence at the April 18 meeting, Hoyt said she's voting for Miller, adding, "Sue, don't treat us like that."
Miller, whose father-in-law, Si Miller, was Bridgman superintendent after serving as Dowagiac assistant superintendent and husband, Joe, has taught 21 years in Buchanan, said the board and superintendent need to function as a team, with board members overseeing the job done by education professionals.
Leonard said the board hires a superintendent to work for it. The superintendent gets the "ground troops" going in the same direction on day-to-day operation of the district.
Leonard said when he moved to Dowagiac Superintendent Larry Crandall was helpful to him. He said Crandall works for the board, which "works for you."
Another topic was the state cuts climate. Miller said she hasn't seen budget material, so it would be hard to prioritize, except that imagination and cooperation will be essential to maximize limited resources.
Leonard said next year's budget would be especially difficult to predict with a new middle school opening, except there should be "vast" savings on energy costs given modern efficiency versus Central's 1920s construction.
Leonard also suggested potential revenue from providing Internet access to the public. Leonard said he would scrutinize elementary buildings for "overlap" to see what efficiencies might further be accomplished.
Leonard also indicated he thinks Patrick Hamilton's guidelines for bullying "go beyond common sense. You can't classify everything as bullying," such as not playing with someone.
Hoyt said her constituents have been attending all of the meetings and are on top of the money flowing through the system. She said all those answers will be available to the next board member.
The League quizzed prospective board members about privatization. Leonard said he's not a big advocate of it beyond certain situations. "It's hard to generalize on that."
Miller said rather than privatize, the question needs to be what community resources can be tapped for it to survive and grow. "It would be an insult to go outside those who bult it and who care about it."
Hoyt said she is "totally anti-anything" that doesn't directly further resources for education. Programs could be designed without state and federal funding components.
On the question of converting the new middle school to a high school, for which Hoyt has been gathering petitions, Miller noted that citizens supported it after three times defeating a new high school. "We listened to our constituents," she said.
Leonard also indicated he's not in favor of such a switch unless voters have changed their minds.
Greg Ferrier, appointed to the board last July when seven-year member Tina Haggin moved away, sent a letter apologizing for his absence from the only candidate meeting.
Since it's impossible to please everyone, how would the candidate deal with constituents angered by a board decision?
Miller said, "It is impossible to please everyone, but I hope that if you have a group of angry parents that you would be in a position to show them that you have investigated both sides of the story - not just one side - and when presenting the facts to them, they've got to know that this is just overall what's best for everyone involved. You can't please everybody, but I think that if you respect the people and their feelings and emotions, that they'll be more likely to understand where you're coming from based on your decision."
Leonard answered, "You listen respectfully and explain it, 'This is why the decision was made the way it was. The vote turned out this way. Majority support is for this kind of program.' If you listen respectfully, talk to them and don't get into an argument, you're probably going to be able to peacefully co-exist. Suggest that if they want to change it, go out to voters and say this is what you want. If you get people backing them, you'll get change."