The Habersham County Farm Bureau hosted its annual political forum on Tuesday, April 25, at North Georgia Technical College. The event, moderated by 99.3 WCON radio morning personality Joel Williams, gave local political candidates running for school board positions in Habersham County the opportunity to answer questions about key topics impacting the community.
According to Habersham County Farm Bureau President Chip Brooks, Farm Bureau has been hosting the forum since 1975. Brooks explained to the audience the purpose for the forum, “It’s simply to educate voters.” He added, “We appreciate you taking the time to educate yourself so that you can vote in an informed way.”
The Board of Education candidates were a bit different than the county commission candidates. Though they agreed on some aspects of how the school system was run, their opinions differed drastically in other areas.
The school board candidates were asked six questions. Those candidates that were in separate districts were asked to leave the room so they would not have an advantage when answering the questions.
The questions
Their questions were related strictly to school system administration.
- What does effective governance by the board of education entail? In your view, what is the board’s role in guiding educators and administrators toward the goal of success for all?
- How do you plan to attract and retain qualified teachers and staff in Habersham County Schools in subjects with shortages such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and vocational skills?
- How do you intend to enhance parent and community involvement in the education system to foster a collaborative approach to student success?
- How do you perceive the significance of vocational training in preparing students for future careers and how do you plan to enhance our systems offerings and program quality?
- What specific measures do you propose to ensure transparency and accountability in financial matters to the Habersham County taxpayers?
- What is the next major goal the system needs to work on over the next four years?
Board of Education candidates
District 1 incumbent Doug Westmoreland is finishing his second term and running for a third term on the school board. Newcomer to the political arena, Brett Barden is looking to unseat Westmoreland for his first term in political office.
District 2 incumbent Robert Barron is completing his fourth term on the school board, running for his fifth term. His opponent Ernie Garrett is a retired educator from the Habersham County School System. He ran for Mayor of Cornelia 12 years ago but lost that bid to J.C. Irby.
Don’t fix what’s not broken
Both incumbents pointed out the many achievements that the school system has accomplished over the years. Especially pointing out the high graduation rates. Both incumbents stated that the system was not broken and since it wasn’t broken not to fix it. Westmoreland stated, “Our current board works good together. We do not need change. Let me repeat. We do not need change. We do not fix what is not broken.”
As it relates to budget transparency, Westmoreland stated that the board had recently held a budget hearing where no one from the public attended the meeting, even though it had been advertised in the paper. “We are very transparent,” he states. “I can’t see anything we’re not transparent about.”
Barron stated in his opening remarks that “We are a very effective, well operated school system that is managing monies that we get, we are handling them. We are very transparent with that.”
As it relates to budget transparency, Barron stated, “We have nothing to hide. We have been very resourceful. We’ve been very fiscally responsible for all the spending we have. We get the best for what we are paying for.”
Both opponents disagreed
Both opposing candidates disagreed with the incumbents about transparency. They both feel that more could be done, and be done in the public eye.
Barden states, “I think it is important to have some differences of opinion when it comes to budget matters, personnel matters of leadership.” He adds, ”If we all agree on the same thing, we’re probably missing some things.”
He addressed the transparency of the budget. Barden states that after reading the board meeting minutes and watching the videos, it was difficult to see the details in the budget and possibly those details were discussed in executive session.
Barden states, “There is room for improvement in pointing us where each one of those dollars are going and that should be done in public. There should be deliberation. There should be discussion in these meetings.” He adds, “We see a lot of 5-0 votes and not a whole lot of discussion.”
Garrett stated, “The board and the superintendent should work as a check and balance system to benefit all shareholders. I don’t feel we currently have this.” He adds, “I want to be an advocate for the teachers and hear their concerns without fear of intimidation or reprisals.”
As it relates to budget transparency, Garrett stated, “I don’t think we have transparency now.” He referenced that in 2021-2022, about 1% of the administrative personnel received approximately a $350,000 increase that once divided out among that 1%, they received an average salary increase of $25,000 each.
He stated that the board passed the budget that year without discussing the pay increases. That same year, teachers only received a $2,000 increase. He referenced the source about the significant increase came from opengeorgia.gov.
During their question and answer session the candidates vowed to work towards making the school system better.
Now Habersham will be hosting a live debate at the Demorest Municipal Conference Room at 250 Alabama Street in Demorest on Thursday May 9. Food trucks will be available beginning at 5:00 p.m. The Habersham County Commission debate will begin at 6:30 p.m. The Habersham County Board of Education debate will begin at 8:15 p.m.
This event is open to the public and will be livestreamed.
