DEARBORN — When Dearborn voters make their final decisions on a presidential candidate and cast their ballots November 4, among the other choices they’ll have to make at the polls will be picking two of five candidates for the local Board of Education.

Blackburn

Candidates include incumbents Aimee Blackburn and Sharon Dulmage, former board member Mary Lane, president of a local drilling company John C. Corbin, and Wayne County Sheriff police sergeant Tameria Metiva.

Each candidate answered questions posed by The Arab American News last week via email to inform voters of some of their positions and their motivations for running:

 

 

Why do you want to be a member of the Dearborn school board?

Blackburn: I have served on the board for eight years, during which I worked for the best interests of our citizens and our children.  I never shied away from difficult decisions facing our district during those years. I have always used a no-nonsense approach, taking into account the interests of all stakeholders: residents, parents, and students. While I believe that we have made improvements in addressing some of the issues facing us, I know that the work is not over yet. There is still much progress to make. I want to continue working towards the better school system Dearborn deserves.

Corbin: As a school board member, I can bring a needed business sense. Running a business I’ve had to make some tough decisions, however those decisions were always made with staff and customer input.  Our children and parents are our customers, the staff our reps. It’s time the board melds these two through genuine teamwork. I am a person who will seek out and hear all input before any major decision. Teamwork today for tomorrow’s successes.

Dulmage

Dulmage: I would like to continue as a trustee of the Dearborn Board of Education and Henry Ford Community College because I think there are many difficult but exciting times ahead and I believe that we are building a good team to move this district forward. I bring experience and the ability to make logical decisions based on data and not emotions or political ties. I believe that I have demonstrated my ability to serve both P-12 and HFCC fairly and equally.

Lane: I have been committed to education for decades. I have already served two terms on the board ending 12-31-2007. I believe that I would be a good candidate to the board because I have been a leader in making the difficult decisions on a comprehensive bond (2002), redistricting boundaries for middle schools, reforming high schools into smaller, more relevant schools (like 9th grade academies), as well as advocating for the magnet DCMST and Berry Career Center for our high school students.  I have made responsible financial decisions on the board and look forward to serving again.

Metiva: I have always had a sincere interest in the educational community.  I have been involved in my children’s schools as a classroom parent and a member of the Dearborn High School PFSA Executive Board. My experience in management and problem solving will bring new ideas to the district. Change needs to be implemented in the district. One change I have made is to organize The Dearborn High School PFSA Scholarship. Graduating seniors from Dearborn High are now eligible to receive this award.  Last year three students received a financial contribution toward their higher education goals as a result of this effort.

 

Name one major challenge the district is facing that you are eager to help tackle as a board member. What ideas do you have to address the problem?

Blackburn: Fiscal responsibility is the most important challenge facing our district in this tough economy. We must continue to evaluate the budget to reduce unnecessary spending and focus on obtaining additional revenues from government grants and non-traditional sources such as the private sector.  The administration must be held accountable for its decisions and regular updates to the public are necessary in order to maintain transparency.  All programs need to be assessed on a regular basis for their educational value to ensure their effectiveness and to make sure that cuts are not made at the expense of the quality of our education.

Corbin: Assisting the district in making the AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress). One of the things I feel needs to happen is that we need to listen to the front line managers, our teachers. If we have a program that’s not working and the teachers have a better idea, we need to listen. I don’t know if just one school board member can begin a movement of pride and teamwork from pre-K through HFCC, but I want to try. We must be a team if Dearborn is to maintain its high quality education status.

Dulmage: The biggest problem facing our district is student achievement. There are increased graduation requirements and we have “No Child Left Behind” and we must improve student achievement so they will be able to make a living which means that we must prepare them for some level of higher education. We are working on an improvement plan. I believe that part of that plan must include accountability for staff, students and increased parental involvement. If we believe that all children can learn, then we must make sure that they do.

Lane

Lane: The budget remains the most important issue that must be addressed. Cuts must be made while minimizing the impact on programs that directly impact student achievement. With new state and federal testing mandates, funding is directly linked to student achievement. Therefore curriculum must be aligned with material tested and tests must be made meaningful to students so their scores truly reflect their abilities. Results must be disaggregated to understand where our limitations are so they can be addressed. Resources then can be reallocated to the programs that will have the greatest impact.

Metiva: One challenge the district faces is reaching “at risk” students and encouraging them not just to remain in school, but also to learn while they are in class. Every student should know the importance and impact education has on his or her life.  I have plans to work with children in the elementary schools to introduce and reinforce the importance of education. At a very early age, outside influences begin pulling students away from the goal of education.  I plan to give young students the tools and ambition they need to overcome these influences and work to become successful adults.

How much importance do you place on direct input from the community when major school board decisions are to be made, and why?

 

Blackburn: I strongly believe that community involvement and input in our schools are vital to our sustainability.  During my tenure on the board, I have always made myself available to anyone who wanted to express a concern or make a suggestion to improve education and/or save money.  If everyone is around the table when important issues are tackled, we have a much better chance of making the right decisions and reaching satisfactory outcomes. Outreach programs must include seniors, parents and businesses.  We must tap into our city’s most valuable resource: our residents.

Corbin: I feel that community input is very important in major board decisions. Decisions made by the board not only affect the schools, they affect the city. We have the fortunate pleasure of living in a fantastic community, and for it to thrive we must have schools that people are willing to send their children to. That is why I feel the schools and the city must work side by side to offer the complete package.  

 

Dulmage: I value community input and seek community input. Community input is not just about listening when there is an issue but listening all of the time. This listening occurs in formal and informal settings. My community involvement puts me in touch with many residents every day. I belong to and am active in many community and civic organizations, so I have the opportunity to listen to Dearborn residents every day. I also listen to the students. I answer my phone calls and emails and value the opinion of others.

Lane: Members of the Board of Education should serve the people who elect them. To better serve, we need to listen to the needs of the residents. Community input has always been important to me. It is democracy in action.  Community opinion and feedback should always be valued and respected. Communication needs to happen continuously at all levels and not just in times of upheaval and crisis. Many times, the community has brought to light important issues that otherwise may have gone unnoticed. I have always made myself available and will continue to do so if elected to the board.

Metiva: Direct input from the community is very important when making major decisions.  The decisions made by the Board of Education have a long-term effect on students, families and the economic future of the community. In order to make wise and informed decisions, the board must be open to the views of all the members of the community it serves to ensure it represents and does not dictate to its members.

A forum sponsored by The League of Women Voters of Dearborn-Dearborn Heights featuring the five school board candidates is scheduled for September 30, 8 p.m. at Dearborn City Hall, inside Council Chambers. The program is open to the public and will be taped for subsequent viewing on public access channels.