By Sarah Newell Williamson | Hickory Daily Record

Published: September 26, 2009

HICKORY - Hickory Public Schools has four open seats this election, with one candidate running for each of the open seats. Three of the people running are incumbents.

Angela Beaver Simmons and Reginald Hamilton have served on the board for one term, while Gloria Hemphill has served on the board for three terms. Sallie Daniel Johnson is running for the first time. All of the candidates are running unopposed.

1. Why are you running for election?

Beaver Simmons: I care about the public school system and feel that oversight of our public schools needs to be professional and with concern for all students and teachers.

Johnson: It's the only office I've ever aspired to. When I heard a seat was available, I decided to run. Education is my profession — I used to teach history at Hickory High, and now I have my own education consulting business.

Hemphill: I thought I needed to be there. I'm excited about the new leadership (with new Superintendent Lillie Cox) and what she could bring. I wanted to see what we could do and be a part of that.

Hamilton: I have a passion for helping kids. I wanted to reach kids before they got into trouble and to the Department of Correction, where I work. I want to be a valuable asset a curtail trouble. I promote and instill education in my kids since Day 1.

2. What issue do you think demands the most attention in Hickory Public Schools?

Beaver Simmons: The state budget cuts are the biggest threat to the schools at this time, along with the economic conditions in our county. We address budget cuts as we get information from the state Department of Public Instruction. We have very little latitude to make discretionary cuts. My preference would be to avoid any cuts to the teachers and classrooms.

Johnson: Meeting the needs of every child in the system. The biggest challenge is money, and the cuts by the state have been hard. I don't have a set agenda coming in. I just want to meet the needs of every child and make sure the teachers have access to all the resources they need.

Hemphill: We need to focus on the young people we're losing. We know we're losing them, and we need to find out why and do something to keep them there. We have the alternate school, but it may need to be modified, too. We need to get kids back, and keep the ones there in school, before it's too late.

Hamilton: Give kids valuable instruction time during this budget crunch, and meeting the needs of our diverse population.

3. Was the dress code at Hickory High and Catawba Valley High implemented as you expected, and how do you think it will go this year?

Beaver Simmons: I think things will go better as time goes on and people get used to standardized dress.

Johnson: It's an excellent idea in terms of breaking down the socioeconomic barrier and letting them know they need to get dressed for their job. It gives students more dignity. But I don't think it's that big of an issue. I think people just adjust to it over time, which is why it was so difficult the first year.

Hemphill: I think the first year was a bit turbulent, and enforcement became an issue. We as a board did everything we needed to do, but it came down to who valued it. We didn't intend to take instructional time for it to be enforced, but it did. I hope this year will go a bit more smoothly.

Hamilton: It was implemented for a good cause. Kids had to see it wasn't so bad. It's not to hurt them or take away from them, it's to teach them values. Police, football teams, the Army, all wear uniforms. This year, I've been at Hickory High a few times, and I've heard nothing but good reports. I've heard no reports of fighting. This year's been excellent. The community is starting to accept it.

4. If Hickory Public Schools has to make more budget cuts this year due to the economy, where do you think they will be?

Beaver Simmons: The recommendations will be made by our highly qualified superintendent and associate superintendent, in line with the requirements by the N.C. Department of Public Instruction. The cuts usually come across the board to all areas of the school budget. Where we have the local flexibility, we make the best decisions possible to not affect the classroom.

Johnson: I have to do some studying, but we need to protect class sizes and teacher salaries.

Hemphill: We've tried to hold onto community programs, like the Catawba Science Center and listening to the orchestra play. If it gets too much worse, we may have to cut those, and maybe arts and sports, but hopefully none of those. We have to preserve the classroom first.

Hamilton: Hopefully, we won't have to make any more, because our number of pupils is increasing. I would look at shortening the bus routes and get money that way. The classroom should not be affected. The teacher's job is important, and the classroom instruction is important.

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