Skip to main content

Replies sorted oldest to newest

I don’t know about Holden, but our system needs and deserves leaders like Palmer to come in and help fix a traditionally broken and politically driven system. The current board that is in place has done things the exact same way that everyone before them has done and that it “agree with the boss”. We need leaders that when they know that decisions are being made for the wrong reasons to stand up for what is right. I have young children that are about to start school and want them to be in the best educational environment.

I hope that these new candidates will go in with the attitude of creating change in the micro-managed processes that BV has put into place. The principals at the local schools should be able to run and manage their schools without the Superintendent overriding their decisions. The Super should be more focused on managing the entire system and holding Principals accountable for results. We need leaders….not puppets!
Click here: http://www.shoalsinsider.com/d...hoalsinsider&he=.com

ABOUT CHAD HOLDEN

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

I was born February 8, 1980 in Florence, Alabama to Lexie and Sheila Holden My brother, Barry, and I grew up attending Rogers High School in Lauderdale County. My grandparents are Betty Wilson, of Lexington, and the late Sterling Wilson and the late Harlon and Elliott Holden of Greenhill. On November 11, 2006, I married the love of my life, Julia Beth, the daughter of Phillip and Alene Truitt of Greenhill. We have one son, Conner, who was born in April 2009. Conner is the chairman and sole member of the "Vote for My Daddy" committee.

FAMILY

My wife, Julia Beth, is employed as a Deposit Product Specialist at First Southern Bank, Florence. She graduated from the University of North Alabama in 2007 with a degree in finance. Like me, my parents are Lauderdale County natives. My dad, Lexie, is employed by Johnson Contractors, Muscle Shoals, and is a member of the Carpenters' Local. My mom, Sheila, is a homemaker. She cares for her grandchildren on a daily basis. My brother, Barry, is employed by United Launch Alliance, Decatur; his wife, the former Bridget Killen of Lexington, is employed by the Loretto Telephone Company; they have two children.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

* Academic Diploma, Rogers High School, 1998 (salutatorian)

* Bachelor of Science in Education, University of North Alabama, 2002 (summa cum laude)

* Master of Arts in Education Administration, University of North Alabama, 2005 (summa cum laude)

* Education Specialist, University of North Alabama, will graduate in July 2010

TEACHER
Teaching is my passion. I believe being an educator is a calling and my professional purpose in life. My education career began in 2002 after graduating from the University of North Alabama with a bachelor's degree in secondary education. Two weeks after graduating, the Muscle Shoals City Schools offered me the position of teaching high school social studies. Needless to say, I accepted.

I take pride in developing myself as a teaching professional. I have participated in local, state, and national teaching workshops and conferences including but not limited to Highly Effective Questioning (San Diego, California), Breaking Ranks II: Leading High School Reform (Washington, D.C.), and numerous ones sponsored by the Southern Regional Education Board (Atlanta, Georgia) such as Prioritizing and Mapping the Curriculum, Building a Culture of High Expectations, and Building and Leading Effective Teams.

CERTIFIED ADMINISTRATOR
I am a certified school administrator. I completed the master's degree in 2005 and will finish the education specialist degree in July 2010. My administrative experience includes serving as principal of the Colbert County Summer School program in 2008, as Building Based Student Support Team coordinator for my school, and as the Lee v. Macon coordinator/trainer for my district. I also serve on the committee to lead the Lighthouse Project on Student Achievement in the Muscle Shoals City Schools, an initiative that brings school and community stakeholders together for the purpose of making curricular and extracurricular decisions to raise student achievement.

For the past year, I have researched school and community relations. As an action researcher, I have identified a problem in my school, formulated a plan for action, and will evaluate the results of my efforts in the summer of 2010. My action plan to improve school and community relations includes the creation of a community speakers' bureau and offering students the opportunity for community service learning and scholarship.

ADVOCATE FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION
I am an advocate for public education. As a member of the Alabama Education Association, I have made numerous trips to Montgomery to meet with legislators on behalf of area educators and support personnel. I currently serve as the vice president of my local AEA affilliate and am a past president of UniServ District 4, which includes Colbert and Lawrence Counties.

As an advocate for public education, I have fought to...

* Protect the Education Trust Fund from being raided for non-educational purposes.

* Keep PEEHIP and the Teacher Retirement System safe and sound.

* Block the creation of charter schools in Alabama; we cannot afford them and there is no sound proof that they do a better job preparing students than traditional schools. Alabama has plenty of innovative schools to make us competitive for federal grants.

* Secure cost-of-living raises for education employees during good economic times.



FAVORITE BOOK

The Bible is the guide for my life. Additionally, as a participant of men's ministry in my church, I recently read John Maxwell's Developing the Leader within You. This book details the evolution of an effective leader and how to get beyond "positional leadership," meaning people follow you because of your position. This type of leadership effectiveness is shallow and quickly fades. The leader must prove what he or she can do for the organization and the stakeholders within.


RELIGIOUS BELIEFS

At age 16, I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior and was baptized. Since age 19, I have been a leader in His church, serving as youth minister, Sunday School superintendent, and currently as minister of music. My family worships at Mary's Chapel Church of the Nazarene in Lexington. I am so proud that my young son has strong Christian roots on both sides of his family.

WORDS TO LIVE BY

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28


MY VISION FOR THE LAUDERDALE COUNTY SCHOOLS
First of all, I want the voters of Lauderdale County to know that I do not intend to make promises in this campaign that I cannot keep. Any candidate who does that does not understand the role of a school board. Boards of Education, unlike councils, commissions, and legislative bodies, do not initiate policy. A school board may only act on a superintendent's recommendation (affirm or reject). With that said, I can promise that with every decision I make as a member of the board of education, I will always do so with the best interest of our children in mind.

As a member of the Lauderdale County Board of Education, I will work to...
1. Provide teachers with necessary, cutting-edge resources so that each school can be the absolute best it can be.
2. Protect people first in times of proration. The integrity of instruction must be the board's top priority.
3. Invest in classroom technology. Technology is no longer the wave of the future; we live in a technological world everyday.
4. Ensure every child has a safe, clean environment in which to learn.
5. Hold students accountable for being responsible, respectful, and compassionate toward others.

I am excited about the tremendous support my campaign has already been given. As a full-time teacher on the front lines of education each day, I offer a unique perspective to the board of education. I believe our school board needs a fresh face with new and innovative ideas. I pledge to the voters of Lauderdale County that I will conduct myself ethically, honestly, and with great care for the huge challenge of being a member of the board of education. It is not a role to be taken lightly, sought, or accepted for the wrong reasons.
I would highly suggest that you consider Sherrie Perkins for Lauderdale County Board of Education Place 1. Unlike some of the other candidates, she has experience in both private industry and in education. Here are some of her qualifications:

Member of Alabama School Board Association since 2006
Career and Technical Education Teacher for 20 years
Lauderdale County Children's Policy Council - Education Committee Past Chairman
Member of Alabama Career and Technical Education Association
Certified in LEED for Schools, (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
Member of Alabama Education Association
Member of US Green Building Council
26 years experience in Construction, Engineering, and Energy Management
10 Years in Children and Family Ministries
3 children in Lauderdale County Schools
I will give you what little info I have on Russell Killen which is not much. I am not working for his or anyone elses campaign.

Russell is in his mid to late 40's, he is a lifelong resident of Lauderdale county. Born and raised in the Zip city community, graduated from Wilson H.S. He is maried with 3 or 4 school age children that attend Wilson. He is very active in his community. I have known Russell a long time and he is a good guy.

I do not know what his platform is. I visited the church he attends this past Sunday and wanted to talk with him but did not get a chance.
Right now, I am leaning towards William Garner. I think he worked at Allen Thornton Area Vocational School and now at NWSCC. I have heard several of them speak, and I liked him and Daniel Patterson (Place 1). Chad Holden is your typical well-versed politician...his concerns differ from mine. He said "I also want to see us invest in cutting edge technology" and spoke on the value of items such as "Smart Boards" in the classroom.I think there are many other changes that need to be made before these types of options are even considered. He is extremely well spoken. Russell Killen left no impression on me whatsoever. I wish I did know who Valentine endorsed, because I absolutely would not vote for them. Miller, I did like but seems to get confused quite easily. My best advice is to try to get an email address, and send each candidate a question on a school/board related matter that is important to you and base your choice on that. Please do not rely solely on what anybody tells you, myself included.
quote:
Originally posted by wnder:
I am begining to see signs of all the candidates but have no idea who they are...can someone help me? I have seen signs for Mike Palmer for place 1 and Russell Killen, Chad Holden,and OD Miller for place 2....anybody have any info?
Valentine is backing Killen and Palmer. I am a supporter of Miller. He worked for Valentine as his assitant principal at Wilson as was not afraid to disagree with him. Technology is great idea and easy to talk about. Problem is, the system is looking at possible layoffs right now. Until the economy rebounds or another source of revenue is found, it is only going to be worse next year. As far as Miller being confused, be easy on him. His mother passed away recently. He may still be trying to deal with that. He is the most experienced candidate.
I liked quite a bit about him. I liked his answer as to why he wants the position. I liked the fact that he did not feel the need to dress to impress. He did seem genuine, and I am not certain what happened, but after a while, he seemed to get off the subject, in turn, not answering the questions. That is why I said he seemed to get confused. I can understand how losing a loved one may distract a person. The thing about the technology--you pretty much made my point. Of course technology is a great asset in the classroom, but it is expensive and not a necessity. I say deal with the tough issues first and then if there is extra money left, use it for the extra wants.
QUOTE]Originally posted by wnder:
Valentine is backing Killen and Palmer. I am a supporter of Miller. He worked for Valentine as his assitant principal at Wilson as was not afraid to disagree with him. Technology is great idea and easy to talk about. Problem is, the system is looking at possible layoffs right now. Until the economy rebounds or another source of revenue is found, it is only going to be worse next year. As far as Miller being confused, be easy on him. His mother passed away recently. He may still be trying to deal with that. He is the most experienced candidate.[/QUOTE]
I did agree with you on the money part. Alabama schools are funded by sales tax. When no one spends, schools go broke. I see three distinct candidates in this race. Holden, the polished politician, who maybe be thinking about a career in politics. Miller, older and has been around more. Then Killen, the business owner who may be trying to make more contacts. That is my observation. I have spoken with Holden and he seems like a nice guy. If Valentine is supporting Killen, that is one strike against him. I beleive there will be a run off for this position. Not sure who it will be. June 1st will be something to watch.
quote:
Originally posted by wnder:
I did agree with you on the money part. Alabama schools are funded by sales tax. When no one spends, schools go broke. I see three distinct candidates in this race. Holden, the polished politician, who maybe be thinking about a career in politics. Miller, older and has been around more. Then Killen, the business owner who may be trying to make more contacts. That is my observation. I have spoken with Holden and he seems like a nice guy. If Valentine is supporting Killen, that is one strike against him. I beleive there will be a run off for this position. Not sure who it will be. June 1st will be something to watch.



How do you know who Valentine is endorsing? I heard Killen was running because he was unhappy with Valentine.

Also, what business does Mr. Killen own? I know he has children in school, and DOES NOT have any relatives he is trying to help out, or so I was told?

I would not put a strike against Killen if he does not agree with Valentine's policies. Perhaps Valentine knows whomever he endorses will not win, therefore he is endorsing whomever he does not want on the board.
quote:
Originally posted by bamabacker55:
I don’t know about Holden, but our system needs and deserves leaders like Palmer to come in and help fix a traditionally broken and politically driven system.


how will Mr Palmer be any different. His family's bread and butter comes from the old system, correct? His son and daughter in law are both teachers at Central? I am just curious as to what his platform for breaking up this system must be.
Most of you people do not understand that the politics of the LCBOE will almost be a thing of the past as soon as Joe Frank Fowler and Terry Holden leave office. Mr. Beavers has been just a follower (usually Mr. Fowler). Bless his heart, he doesn't know enough about what goes on to follow, much less lead. Mr. Thompson and Mrs. Cornelius are former educators and know what the daily struggles a teacher, administator, cafeteria worker, and custodian face each day.

That's not saying there will not be some disagreements - but I think they will be worked out in a civil manner. Not take positions hostage as has been the case in the past.

I think you will find a differenct atmosphere when the two new board members are elected and take office in November.

Add Reply

Post

Untitled Document
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×