Four candidates – two incumbents debated issues that impact our community and its educational system. For District 1, Brett Barden is in the race against incumbent Doug Westmoreland. For District 2, Ernie Garrett is in the race against Dr. Robert Barron, the incumbent. The candidates were not given the questions beforehand or subject matters.
The topics of discussion were school safety, transparency, the success of all students, salaries, and the budget.
Ernie Garrett, a lifelong educator, is running in opposition to Dr. Robert Barron, who is running for a fifth term and is also a lifelong educator. Garrett talked about the challenges of helping non-English-speaking students succeed in the system. “In the last few years, I’ve noticed we’ve had a lot more students from Central and South America. These kids that are coming are 15 and 16 years old and have never attended school.”
Garrett believes that the benefits of a Technical Education is a better route for those types of students to equip them with a trade. “A traditional education and diploma is not always the best path for some students,” Garrett added. Garrett emphasized that when we place older students who do not speak English in the classroom, cannot read or write, and do not speak Spanish, we are taking away from other students. He believes in an alternative program of education such as a Technical Education.
Dr. Robert Barron, incumbent for District 2, discussed the topic of transparency with the Board of Education. “Transparency has been and will continue to be, as long as I am on the Board, a major part. We are transparent. There is nothing that we do that has not been discussed at length. We are not a Board that just rubberstamps everything.” Barron said that in the work sessions, discussions are key to reaching a consensus of the Board.
Garrett added to Barron’s statement, “I agree with Dr. Barron that the current Board is in harmony and works together, the problem with that is with transparency, they don’t tell the rest of us how they got there.” Garrett said at Board meetings things are voted on 5-0 and no one knows how they reached that decision. He added he did not see how they could all be in agreement.
Dr. Barron talked about how challenging it is to have a work session of disagreement but eventual resolution and then attend the regular Board of Education meeting with a smile on his face. He stressed that the public can attend work sessions and learn how each topic is resolved.
Brett Barden, candidate for District 1, was the valedictorian of the Habersham Central High School Class of 2007 and works as an engineering manager for Ethicon. Barden expressed his views on the issue of the transparency of the Board. “Transparency has been a hot button this year and it is really critical for a public board, like the Board of Education to operate with transparency.”
Barden pulled the minutes from the Strategy Planning Session, held once a year to determine the direction of the school system. He emphasized that it wouldn’t take long to read the minutes of the Strategy Session meeting. “Chairperson called the Strategic Planning Session to order; The Board held the Strategic Planning Session; The Board adjourned the Strategic Planning Session,” Barden emphasized that he realized the plan was published later, but it is just as important to understand what is discussed, disagreed upon, and resolved, as it is to read the final report.
Doug “Coach Wes” Westmoreland, who serves as Chairperson of the Board and running for a third term, responded to the issue of transparency. Westmoreland is a former educator, coach, and administrator. He questioned, “Why not vote 5-0 for something good for students? Why not vote 5-0 for something good for teachers? We are trying to be the best that we can be for our students and our school system.” Westmoreland acknowledged Barden being at the work session. He said he was glad Barden was able to see how the work session is run and how the Board discusses the topics to reach an agreement.
“I’ve never seen Mr. Garrett come into one of our work sessions. That is where we grind everything out,” Westmoreland added.
Garrett agreed with Barden. “You have to let people know how you came to a decision.” He believes in the importance of knowing how and why officials have voted the way that they have voted.
Other topics included opinions on equipping teachers with weapons. Barron expressed that in his 52 years in education, he did not believe a teacher would want to be equipped with a gun. Garrett was concerned for safety. The possibility of the gun getting into the wrong hands if a student overpowered the teacher.
The discussion of salary raises for administrators and directors became a hot topic. Westmoreland emphasized that our administrators make less than related counties that have fewer students and less education. Westmoreland said, “You pay for great leadership. We don’t want to lose them to another county.” Barden stressed the importance of teachers, the backbone of the educational system, and the need to pay them adequately.
The debate was informative and worth a listen. Voters who came undecided, left believing they knew their choice. You can hear the content of the Habersham County Commissioner Debate and Board of Education Debate on the Now Habersham website and Facebook page.
