Welcome to our online chat with school board candidate Ron Powell.

The chat took place on Thursday, February 20, and is now closed, but you can read the full transcript on this page.

Moderator: Welcome, everybody, to tonight’s chat with school board candidate Ron Powell.

Moderator: Let’s take our first question.

Question: Why should I vote for you for the school board?

Ron Powell: I am running because I believe too many cuts in the budget have made it hard for the Low Income familes. Also, cuts have been made to the Special Education. I also do not want to see any schools close. I would bring to the board many other ideas so our schools are the best for our children.

Concerned citizen: Most of the candidates who oppose the school closings are willing to introduce a different bond issue ASAP. Instead of closing and enlarging schools, let’s offer a full blown Vo-Tech school which would allow our chilren who are not college bound to graduate with a well-paying skill, direction and confidence. Non public shool students would pay going rates for tuition and fees which would help support this project. The rehab of LHS and south are also high priority items this taxpayer would support. What do you think? The DLR projected savings of 1.4 million is speculation as numbers can be moved around to provide just about any conclusion…merely a word of caution.

Ron Powell: The savings that they say — 1.4 Millon — where does it really go? I would propose a bond that would allow South Jr. High to be replaced, and all other repairs to all schools can be done also. We have let all of our schools fall down around our children. We also need to take a close look at our teaching of Math, Reading and Writing — without closing any of our other schools.. We can not delete Music, Drama and Sports from schools either. We also need to keep in mind the school For Alternative students. We need to make an adjustment at the District Office. Cut unnecsary Jobs AND Spending.

Ron: As a former student at Riverside (approx 25 yrs ago) I find it disheartning to see it closed. The small classes and low student to teacher ratio made Riverside a wonderful experience. Teachers like Sylvia Scoby and Russell Blackbird made the experience that much better. What will you do to ensure that neighborhood schools stay open and remain a viable part of our community?

¢ 6News video: Loveland and Powell speak with voters in online chat

Ron Powell: To me, it was bad for the present board to close any school — that means Riverside, East Heights, Centennial. What I would propose is that the school board needs to work closer with the City, County and State Legislaters. The present board does things behind the neighborhood’s backs now. I believe what should be done is to close the District Office and use the portables in its place. If people would notice Lawrence is growing to the North South, East and West, we need be prepared and leave our schools where they are. But we have to repair, replace and make all of our schools safe.

Ms. Mansur: Would you support a different bond issue? LHS rehab is as important an issue as keeping neighborhood schools open to us. What do you think? Some Jr High Schools also need attention. Would you support a strong Vo Tech program for those who are not college bound?

Moderator: (This is our last question.)

Ron Powell: I would support a differnt bond issue if it stated that NO SCHOOL would be closed. I believe and feel the same way. Being a single father of 2 Special Education children — we need rehab programs. We are told by the State and Government that no child is to be left behind. There was a program that was introduced to the School District to bring Phonics into our schools, but it was shoved under the rug. There is a School Board Family Member that was given this course and it improved his learning. We all should have that chance. I would also support a Vo Tech Program and a Training School for Special Education needs. Lawrence is big enough for all these programs.

Parent: You have said you would like to clean house of burned-out teachers? How would you do that, considering that they are tenured?

Ron Powell: We need to take a look at those tenured teachers and see if they are really what the schools need. I know for a fact that a certain Special Education teacher is tenured, but her ability to handle students any longer has ended. This is at one of our most respected Junior Highs. When a teacher gets in the face of a student and starts to yell at them, it is time to go. Also, the School District Office needs to be cleaned out. That would save a lot of money. If the School Board would just have a backbone to make some of these changes, Lawrence would become a well-known and respected District. I want to bring that backbone to our board, community, Neighborhoods and most of all to our children. They come first. Please allow me to be a voice for the board. Please vote for Me.

Moderator: Mr. Powell, thanks so much for joining us this evening. Our next chat, which is with school board candidate Mary Loveland, will begin shortly. To enter that chat, please return to the front page of LJWorld.com.