Published: October 06, 2008 12:05 am         

Election '08: Vigo School Board District 1

In the Vigo County School Board District 1 race, incumbents Mel Burks and Jackie Lower face one challenger, Larry Faulkner.

Two seats are up for election in District 1 (Harrison Township). School Board members are elected at-large by voters throughout the county.

Burks, 56, who is seeking his fourth term, said he has long had a strong interest in young people. “Youth in this community are my passion,” he said, and he wants to be an effective advocate for them.

He believes he is a voice for students who are less fortunate and may come from difficult or needy backgrounds.

In seeking his fourth term, he wants to build on the school district’s many accomplishments in recent years, he said.

Burks is executive director of administrative services at Hamilton Center, where he has worked since 1979.

His priorities would include working to eliminate the ISTEP-Plus test.

He believes it’s “bad business,” particularly for special education students, who have special needs “but still have to pass the same test as everyone else.”

He’d like to see the federal No Child Left Behind law eliminated and hopes to advocate for that outcome. Under the law, “Children are being left behind,” he said.

He supports full-day kindergarten for all Vigo County elementary schools; currently, it is offered in 11 Title 1 elementary schools.

He believes the district probably should wait until the state fully funds it, “but if there is some kind of way we can muster up some money to do that without state backing, then we should,” he said. A committee he co-chairs is exploring the options.

Burks said some people believe the board just “rubber stamps” what Superintendent Dan Tanoos wants.

“That’s not true,” Burks said. “We do a lot of fact-finding and questioning behind the scenes to ensure that the corporation is being held responsible” for actions and decisions that affect the community and students.

Burks said he is concerned about the future of school funding, but at the same time, the school district is fiscally sound with a substantial cash balance.

“We as a corporation are being fiscally conservative to ensure what money we do spend is appropriate for improving education within our school system,” Burks said.

Faulkner, 26, said he’s running “to bring out a few points I think are neglected in education today.” He also feels strongly about some moral issues, he said.

A street evangelist, Faulkner would like to see the Bible taught as an educational class elective, and he believes creationism should be taught “as one theory of how we got here.”

He said he feels strongly about charter schools and vouchers that would enable parents to send children to private schools.

Faulkner previously has run for Terre Haute City Council District 6 and Harrison Township assessor. He has worked in telemarketing but is presently unemployed.

Among other things, Faulkner believes there may be a need to review science textbooks used in Vigo County “because there may be lies … concerning the theory of evolution.”

When asked what he believed are his qualifications to serve on the board, he said, “My focus on the Bible and reading and literature would enable me to bring a moral aspect to the board.”

He expressed concerns about teacher unions, “which represent a lot of big money for bureaucrats.” Teacher union dues can be used for “bureaucrats or politicians who keep schools the same way,” he said.

Faulkner, who said he attended Vigo County schools for many years, believes that if school staff are aware of “underage sexual activities” on the part of students, those staff members need to inform parents.

“There is sexual promiscuity among youth, and we must protect the youth, because they are their parents’ property,” Faulkner said. “Their parents need to know what is going on.”

He doesn’t believe it’s appropriate “for them [school staff] to withhold that information,” Faulkner said.

n In May 2005, Lower was nominated by the School Board to finish the term of her late husband, Jack Lower, who died after serving only 4½ months on the board.

She is a retired educator and spent 20 years as a dean at Terre Haute North Vigo High School. “I just really enjoy working with all aspects of the educational process,” she said.

Lower, 62, said parents and teachers can trust her to take their concerns to the board and administration. “I’m one who asks a lot of questions. I’m not intimidated by any group or person,” she said.

Having spent many years in the classroom, she also believes she brings both the student and teacher perspective to the table.

Lower said she’s proud of the school district, but concerned about recent changes in how public schools are funded.

In the future, “I think there are going to be some tough decisions that have to be made,” she said.

Currently, the school district is in good financial shape, she said. “We are so fortunate in this community because we are fiscally stable,” she said. “There are so many corporations throughout the state and nation that are having to cut programs and teachers” as well as freeze employee wages.

Lower said she enjoys serving on the School Board. “I enjoy meeting the families and talking with students,” she said. “My whole life has been education. I think it is extremely vital to any community’s growth.”

On other issues, Lower says:

n She’d like to see some major revisions to the federal No Child Left Behind law. “It definitely has left more children behind than ever were left behind” prior to the law, she said.

n Regarding ISTEP-Plus, she doesn’t believe students with mild disabilities should have to take it.

n She would like to see mandated, all-day kindergarten that is fully funded by the state, although she recognizes full state funding probably won’t happen anytime soon.

Lower has been involved with a school district wellness committee that emphasizes healthy food choices and exercise opportunities in schools.

She also places a high priority on career-technical education and believes the school district is doing a good job in that area.

Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.