Lexington One School Board Candidates Talk Funding, Budgeting

Lexington One school board candidates told an audience of about 100 voters Tuesday night that they want to keep class sizes small and maintain as many school programs as possible — even in tough economic times.

The candidates agreed that increasing class sizes would not be an effective way to cut costs if faced with budget issues. 

"We already have classes that are overcrowded and students aren't getting the attention they need," one of the candidates, Janet Ballard Frazier, said during the forum at Lexington Middle School.

Cynthia Smith, current chair of the Lexington One Board of Trustees, said the board expects to reduce each class by two students next year, thanks to an increase in revenues this year. 

"We want every child to have a personal plan," Smith said, "and the way to do that is to have smaller classes." 

Most candidates also said they would like to protect school programs like music, athletics and clubs, even if it means coming up with creative ways to fund them. 

Brent Powers suggested asking the community to help with funding for programs that may come on the chopping block. He also said that if school board members have to make decisions on which programs to cut, they should ask, "Does this activity allow our kids to become productive members of society?"

Jean Haggard also recognized that cuts may be unavoidable, but said protecting the core subjects and the arts is critical. 

"We would not want cuts to endanger students from having a quality, rigorous education," she said.

Several other candidates said they think the arts are most at risk of being cut and vowed to protect them. 

"I think with the arts children have a chance to come out of their shells and express themselves," said Hazel Porth Duell. 

When the discussion switched to vouchers and tax credits, the majority of candidates said they were against it. 

"Vouchers create choice for private schools," said incumbent Edwin Harmon. "You can show up at the door with the money in your hand and they don't have to accept you. It also forces tax payers to support two school systems." 

One candidate, Deborah Kelderman, said she is "on the fence" when it comes to the issue. While she can see the benefit of parents having choice, she also said there are cons.

"I've talked to homeschool parents who say they don't want the tax credit," Kelderman said. "Why don't they want it? Because they don't want the government telling them what to teach their kids." 

The candidates also discussed year-round school and extended days. Most candidates agreed that neither would be beneficial to students.

"Year-round schools in South Carolina are a failure," said Rhonda Wannamaker Gunter. "It would not benefit the child as much as it would hurt the child." 

Anthony Feraci said it's something he would look into it if parents expressed interest.

"If these things are important to parents, then we have to explore them," he said.

Toyeka Campbell was the only candidate not present at the forum. 

Tuesday's forum was the last of three scheduled before the Nov. 6 election.

During the first candidate forum at Gilbert High School, much of the discussion centered around the use of iPads in the classroom. 

During the second forum, the candidates talked about teacher merit pay and fiscal responsibility. 

View profiles of the 12 school board candidates.