Ask the candidates: Incumbent Dayton, challenger Yarnell seek District 5 school board seat
Incumbent Mark Dayton and challenger Bonnie Yarnell are seeking the District 5 seat on the Gadsden City Board of Education in the Gadsden city election on Aug. 23.
Dayton is a businessman, owns trucking and property companies, and is a longtime tennis and golf coach in the area
Yarnell is a former executive with the Macy's Corporation and is employed at the Etowah County Revenue Department.
Both candidates were asked to outline their short-term and long-term goals should they be elected. Here are their responses (subject to minor editing):
Mark Dayton
Short-Term Goals
Keep working on making up our general budget shortfalls from the funds that were taken from us at the city, state, and federal levels over the last three years. (We currently have a plan in place to help make up for another up to $1.5 million over a year for budget.)
Get another round of raises for our teachers funded by state and federal. (Making us more competitive to hire and keep the best teachers against school systems over the state line, less than 45 minutes from us.)
Make sure we spend every dollar of COVID relief funding we received from federal and state funds. Make sure we do not give up or give any of it back. This will make sure we have the best equipment and supplies for our schools and students.
Make sure we get more federal and state funding for security and safety for our schools and children. (This is a must, especially after recent events.)
What to expect: Expect Gadsden election to bring change in leaders, with some incumbents out of running
Long-Term Objectives
I created an ACT/SAT prep initiative that I now working on with many other school systems' board members to get our politicians in Montgomery to pass and fund. We need the state and federal funds to pay for teachers to teach ACT/SAT prep classes beginning as early as the seventh grade for our students. Simple facts are unlike the four states surrounding us, we do not have a lottery to pay for kids to go to trade schools and colleges. And after COVID, many scholarships and grants have disappeared due to funding. Also, many families are struggling more financially now than ever. Our best opportunity for students and their families to pay for college or trade schools is to get the entrance scores for it to be free these days. This is a thing we must have funding for so our children can get the best opportunities for jobs and futures.
Our students and our community deserve some new schools. This city has only managed to build one new modern and safe school in the last 45-plus years, which is sad compared to many other school systems in this state. We are now in the planning stages for a new middle school. We know where we want it to be built and what we want it to be like (modern and super safe). So the goal now is to get our own financial credit score for our school system and then the funding and bonds to pay for it. Next after that will be a new elementary school.
Bonnie Yarnell
Short-Term Goals
To support the board's efforts in ensuring safety for our students, teachers, and the entire staff as a top priority.
To be an effective team member by offering ideas and suggestions to enhance the school's progress.
To provide transparency to parents with an open line of communication throughout my decision-making process.
Long-Term Objectives
I am in favor of building new schools and replacing the oldest ones first. This would ensure that every student would have a top-rate facility, no matter the district.
I would also build on the dual-enrollment program at Gadsden State, which is a wonderful opportunity for students.
To promote all the great programs Gadsden City Schools already offer, ensuring that parents and students are utilizing and know how to navigate and take advantage of them.
Provide the parents and students with clear and concise information that will allow students to reach their highest potential.
Continue to encourage educators in the development of pilot programs such as our outstanding Beautiful Rainbow Cafe.
Of course to continue to offer the best possible education for our children and young adults.
This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Gadsden District 5 school board 2022: Meet the candidates in this Q&A
