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Board of Education: Four hopefuls vie for two Newton seats

By Sarah Newell Williamson | Hickory Daily Record

Published: October 13, 2009

NEWTON - Seven candidates are vying for three open seats on Newton-Conover City Schools' board of education.

One of the seats will be filled by a Conover resident. The other two must be filled by Newton residents.

The three Conover candidates were profiled in the Tuesday edition of the Hickory Daily Record. The four candidates running for the two open Newton seats are profiled today. Only one Newton candidate, Betty Coulter, is an incumbent running for re-election. Current board chairman, Randy Isenhower, is not running again.

Candace Cansler, Kyle Drum and Jimmy Martin are running for school board for the first time.

(Candidate Donnie Holbrook withdrew his name from the running Tuesday.)

1. Why are you running?

Cansler: I've always been a volunteer in schools, as a proctor, on the teacher appreciation team, the secretary and now president of the athletic boosters and as the ninth, 10th and 11th grade class representative. When the seat came up, it seemed natural to be on the board.

Coulter: I really enjoy being on the board. Newton-Conover City Schools is an excellent school system and has a good board. I want to continue with positive growth, with high quality academics and continue to serve the parents and students in Newton.

Drum: I want to serve the community. I want to help kids achieve academic success and reach their dreams. The school system has to ensure kids get the highest level of education. The decisions need to benefit kids today, as well as benefit them down the road.

Martin: I want to continue conservative spending. With the system planning to build a new school and renovate another, I want it to be done economically. I saw there would be a vacant seat, which is why I'm running. I think the current board and the superintendent do a good job.

2. What issue do you think demands the most attention in Newton-Conover City Schools?

Cansler: We need to try to meet the needs of every student and make sure they succeed. We also need to reduce the dropout rate and improve test scores.

Coulter: Our budgeting. The state has impacted us by cutting back, and we're having to be creative to best utilize our resources.

Drum: The economic climate, with the budget restrictions. I've had a chance to visit Shuford Elementary and talk to the principal. They lost some TAs and a few teachers. They need some new technology. They need resources as instructors instill knowledge, hopes and values, while operating under smaller budgets.

Martin: The finances, with the economy the way it is. We need to try to educate students with limited resources. Any way we can save money without reducing educational value. I don't like to see large 20-, 30-, 40-foot ceilings in the front of buildings we have to heat and cool when you could be using that money to educate the kids. I know there's not fluff in the budget. The cuts have to come from the state.

3. With budget cutbacks, how can you ensure every child's getting the best education?

Cansler: We need to look toward the superintendent to make the best recommendation on the budget, but we need to protect class size and teacher salaries.

Coulter: The students are the ones who are least impacted. We're providing new technology and the number of teachers according to what the state guidelines say. We're giving kids the best instruction possible, and the best resources to learn with. Newton-Conover is one of the highest in the state with performance, and has one of the lowest dropout rates.

Drum: Every decision made by me will be asked three things: Is it safe, how does it impact the quality of education and what kind of impact will that have on our community? If I'm a board member, not one dime will be spent to pay for me going to a conference. I will pay that 100 percent on my dime.

The end result will be taking the students and community into consideration. They are the key. If something doesn't benefit the quality of education, my vote will be no.

Martin: The teachers, principals and superintendent need to talk to see what they're not getting and how to reduce the costs.

ABOUT THE CANDIDATES:
Candace Cansler

Running for: NCCS board of education's Newton seat

Age: 44

Spouse: Jerry

Children: 1 at NCHS, 1 graduated from NCHS

Terms on board: 0

Betty Coulter

Running for: NCCS board of education's Newton seat

Age: 46

Spouse: Marshal

Children: 2 at NCHS

Terms on board: appointed in 2003, then elected to one term after that

Kyle Drum

Running for: NCCS board of education's Newton seat

Age: 29

Spouse: Angela

Children: 2

children, not yet school age

Terms on board: 0

Jimmy Martin

Running for: NCCS board of education's Newton seat

Age: 50

Spouse: Jane

Children: 3 grown daughters

Terms on board: 0