Stakeholders in education include all students, parents, teachers support persons, tax payers and any other members of the community directly or indirectly affected by the school system. If you are are a member of one or more of these groups then you hold a "stake" or a vested interest in our education system. Does this include practically everyone in the community? Yes, very near everyone. As I see it this gives you the right to be treated fairly ins with respect. Let us have a look at how we have been treated by our elected education officials in the recent past.
From the year 2000 to 2008 Chilton County had an increase of 14.4% in student population. Also during the same period we had an increase from 9 other certified positions (this is non instruction positions) to 21 (see, www.alsde.edu). This is an increase of 133.33%. It appears that these 12 new non-teaching, high cost, positions at a conservative estimated cost to the tax payers is well over one million dollars ($1,000,000.00) per year, maybe much more. For the most part these dollars are being wasted. Just think of the possibilities. This money would repair a lot of leaking buildings, paint a lot of stained walls, or save it for five (5) years and build a whole new school building. I could go on about unnecessary non-teaching jobs created for friends and kin along with other inequities in the employment process but I think we all see what has happened. Any use of taxpayer funds to help students is better than wasteful spending on "good Politics" , if there is such a thing. I am like a lot of people that have stood in line to pay my property taxes and happen to think, the board of education is going to use this money how?
I apologize if I seem to be negative. Please believe me that I am not. I simply believe we must identify problems, solve them, and move on. We have a duty to do all in our power to make our schools better for our young people. Every year I am proud to see in the newspapers the number of our students that have earned scholarships, graduated from college, joined the military service, won some type of award or other successful undertaking while still in school or after graduation. I have been told any number of times by former students that when they were in the 8th grade they remember that I sat them down, made them behave, do their math work, and sometimes write A-D glossary definitions for punishment. Then they smile and say it was exactly what an 8th grader needed. Not many current students will admit they need guidance and discipline, but older ones and their parents generally do.
I am asking all the good hard working people of Chilton County for a chance to serve as their Superintendent of Education. I see where we need to make a number of improvements. I do not owe anyone a favor for a job, a promotion, or anything else, and most important of all I know right from wrong. And I guarantee everyone I will do what is right which is putting the needs of our students first.
Sincerely,
Dave Hayden