10/25/2022
This is long but RR asked some good questions.
Richmond Register Candidate Q/A for 11/8/2022 Election
Answers by Susan Haddix for Madison Co BOE district 3
1. Briefly describe yourself to voters and your background.
I am a retired widow with the time and aptitude to focus on improving the Madison County School System.
I graduated from EKU, UK, and Madison Central. Before retiring in 2015, I spent 30 years teaching math and physics at both MCHS and MSHS. I was a member of the original staff at MSHS where I served on the budget committee for more than 2 decades. I’ve also been science department chair, class sponsor, Science Olympiad coach, Academic Team Coach, Chess Coach, Girl Scout Leader and 4-H leader as well as a mom who sent their child through Madison County Schools. I know the school system inside and out.
2. What do you feel sets you apart from other candidates?
I am a highly qualified educational leader with a masters degree in math/science Curriculum and Instruction and 30 years of experience teaching Madison County children. Not only can I do rocket science but I taught it as well. I served on both science and math county wide K-12 task forces to design top-down system wide student goals. This gave me the big picture of K-12 state and national standards our children need to master. My experience gives me the ability to assess educational data, information, and initiatives to improve instruction and not waste money on the ‘latest greatest’ must have product or initiative.
3. If an incumbent, what are you most proud of that you have accomplished while in office? If not an incumbent, what would you do differently.
Visiting schools regularly is not something the BOE members typically do. If elected, I plan to frequently visit schools to make it easy for all stakeholders to have their opinions and suggestions heard. I would try school lunches and observe facilities and interactions first hand to make sure everything is the best possible for our children and employees. Actively seeking discussions with parents will improve school/community relationships and encourage PTA and SBDM participation vital to each school’s success. These will decrease the punitive focus of schools and supervisors to improve the positive helpful aspects of school families.
4. What issues do you feel need to be addressed in Madison County?
There are three major issues that need to be addressed: school safety, bullying, and teacher/staff shortages
School safety is more than keeping doors locked or having an armed officer present. It includes the entire district’s environment both physical and social. Having the College of Criminal Justice, a State Police Post, RPD, BPD, and the Sherriff’s department all here in the county provide top notch resources. We could combine forces to study, create, and implement policies and practices worthy of a national model.
Socially, bullying is a huge problem that isn’t being delt with or even acknowledged. I have heard many families say they are worried about sending their kids to school because of it. No one should be afraid to go to school. I acknowledge that bullying has always happened but that doesn’t mean it has to be accepted in our schools. The first step of breaking the cycle is to pay attention to reports and take the issue seriously. There is no one size fits all solution so we could empower the Site Based Councils to take a more active role to end it at the school level then gather to share ideas and results as a county. If we all work together, we can make a difference.
5. What is the first thing you will focus on if elected?
No work or learning can occur if qualified employees aren’t present. Staffing shortages are a critical issue plaguing everyone, it is the first thing I would focus on if elected. I would start by visiting each school and facility that Madison County Schools oversee to meet all employees and open lines of communication between them and their employer, the Board of Education. I would ask for input from staff, students, and parents about both good and bad things occurring in our schools. I would gather and implement ideas and solutions for staff retention so we will keep existing valuable employees while recruiting new ones. Research shows that class size is the #1 thing that effects student achievement. That is why it is especially imperative to fill all of our positions with highly qualified people. Improving working conditions will help retain the staff we currently have then we can focus on recruiting from the multiple local colleges to encourage people to become certified teachers.
