DEARBORN — With funding issues in the city’s public schools continuing to cause difficulties, many believe the importance of the Dearborn School Board race has been heightened in 2011.  

Considering that four candidates are vying for two seats for a four-year term expiring in December 2015, the competition is expected to be tight and a handful of votes could make all the difference.

On Tuesday, Oct. 4 at the City Council Chambers, three of the candidates, Roxanne McDonald, Mary K. Petlichkoff, and Stephen S. Dobkowski, gathered for a League of Women Voters of Dearborn and Dearborn Heights candidates’ forum on issues facing the district. A fourth candidate, Joseph A. Guido, who has been a board member since 1993, was unable to make it to the event according to organizers. 

One question was asked about the role teachers’ unions play in delivering a quality education, regardless of whether changes should be made with budget cuts continuing to be an issue. The  state has had more control over hiring and firing since teacher tenure reforms were signed into law by Gov. Rick Snyder. 

“I believe that the unions have a role to play, the vast majority of teachers are hardworking professionals trying to earn every dollar and they should not be vilified for earning a decent middle class wage,” McDonald said. “At the same time I want teachers to maintain their integrity so I fully agree with the process of weeding out those who aren’t successful.” 

McDonald has served on the city’s PTSA Council and executive boards. She’s also been a community organizer protesting budget cuts in Lansing. 

Petlichkoff said she also supported unions to ensure a strong teaching staff. 

“I don’t think we’ve ever had an issue where we’ve been unable to remove a teacher with a problem,” she said. 

An incumbent and the vice president on the Dearborn Board of Education, Petlichkoff has also been City Beautiful Commissioner for the city and a chair on the school committee as well as Charter Commissioner from 2006-2007. 

Dobkowski is a former teacher who said that facing 150 different students a day on average is difficult, especially because of all of the different personalities and strengths and weaknesses each student brings to class. He said that the biggest factor in determining whether or not a child will be successful is what type of home they come from, and suggested exploring ideas for a parent-teacher training program to help parents follow up at home. 

He is a former business owner as well who has been elected to the Dearborn City Charter Commission and is a founding chairman of the Polish/American Congress. 

McDonald also spoke about the importance of music and art, saying that the classes are “vital” and should be protected even as they are often threatened to be taken away due to cuts.

Petlichkoff said that the programs have not been in demand recently, however. 

When asked about the possibility of changes to school starting times, Petlichkoff said that a flexible schedule could be an important solution to  the problem especially to give those with sleep issues a break and an option to have a different schedule. 

Dobkowski said that about 85 percent of married women work outside the home these days and said that while such a change could be beneficial, any changes made to the schedule would have to be done carefully because of the complexity of parents’ schedules. McDonald agreed that the flex schedule could fix a lot of problems. 

When asked what the best way to evaluate students is, Petlichkoff said that schools have been “inundated with test mania” from state and federal mandates. She highlighted the importance of the yearly entry and exit exams to measure progress but said that tests such as the MEAP in October don’t hold much value as they’re more about prior years’ learning. 

Dobkowski also had issues with the tests: “Scores are being used as a hammer to beat on school systems and teachers alleging that they’re not doing their job properly…there are too many tests..we need more intense involvement from parents with teachers on a child’s progress.” 

McDonald said that low test scores can be a concern but they cannot measure everything happening in a particular building. She noted that Fordson High School has had “unacceptable” test scores but they also have high achievers with more than 400 kids taking college-level classes at Henry Ford Community college and on average doing better than many HFCC students. 

All three noted that parental involvement is difficult to achieve because of the current state of affairs with families and the economy and believe that year-round schooling was a possibility but not feasible at this time because of budget problems and hot summer buildings.

In terms of their goals if elected, each responded to a questionnaire given to them by the LOWV. 

McDonald said that current programs must be evaluated and alternate funding such as grants should be explored because of the budget issues, while resources and services can be shared more efficiently. 

Petlichkoff said that improving student achievement should be first on the agenda with budget balancing and protecting classroom jobs coming next while also advocating alternate funding sources and advocating for legislative changes to give more local control. 

Dobkowsi wants to create a “Regional Taxing Authority” to collect income or sales tax money to be returned directly to schools and neighborhoods for more local control. He also wants to provide adult education skill training for parents to work with teachers for educational purposes.

Guido told the LOWV that he wants to continue to maintain meaningful academic programs, provide Dearborn teachers with more training opportunities and tools, and to continue to increase collaboration with HFCC to provide Dearborn students a seamless transition to higher education. 

For more information on the candidates or how to see screenings on local cable, visit www.lwvddh.org. 

The election is Tuesday, Nov. 8 and the last day to register is October 11. For info, contract the City Clerk’s office at 313.943.2014.