School Board debate questions two and three
ST. MARY'S TODAY Online Debate for
St. Mary's School Board candidates

Question # 2
If elected to the school board, will you vote to increase starting teacher's pay to equal that of a deputy and keep all teachers pay levels at least equal to what deputies are paid?
Question posed by
ST. MARY'S TODAY

Gary Kessler's response:
A primary goal of mine is to attract and retain quality teachers by providing competitive salary and benefits packages, and providing a strong mentoring program and training for new teachers. However, I do not see how comparing a teacher’s starting salary to that of a sheriff’s deputy has any relevance. We should be comparing teachers starting salaries and benefits package to those teachers of our neighboring counties, with whom we compete with for quality teachers. This will be my continual goal if elected to the school board.
Cathy Allen's response:
While I am not aware of the pay for a deputy, I do know that certified teachers who work a 10 month schedule in St. Mary's County will begin this school year making anywhere from $35,977 to $69,481.   An increasing number of our teachers have Master's degrees.  Most teachers receive a yearly automatic step increase in addition to whatever raise is negotiated between the board and EASMC (the association that represents teachers in the county).  Over 80% of our budget is spent on personnel.   Any salary adjustments for teachers must go through negotiations with EASMC as well as being dependent on the school system budget.
Clare Whitbeck's response:Since I don't know what deputies are paid, I can't say that I would   support paying teachers what deputies are paid.  However, I can say that we need to pay our teachers well enough to insure  that we get our choice of the best teachers.  Good teachers  make for good learning among our children and everything the school system does is bout our children.
Pat Woodburn's response:   None received.

Question # 3
Do you feel the superintendent's contract should be renewed? In detail, I would ask, In light of the excessive spending in the construction of the Moakley Street Mansion without public input, the loss of free property for the building of a school in the Wildewood development with an "in place" infrastructure, the solidification of a funding formula through secret meetings with some BOE members and the Board of County Commissioners that guarantees St Mary's County will remain 23 of 24 in per pupil spending, the unwillingness to disclose financial information without numerous Freedom of Information Requests, the generation of new administrative positions disproportionate to teacher hires, and the inability to spend $30,000 to improve retirement benefits and funds to increase teacher salaries while having a 2.4 million budget surplus, do you believe the superintendent has exhibited qualities that would lead you to extend her contract another 4 years?
Question posed by:
Tim Twigg
Lexington Park

Gary Kessler's response:
The first order of business is to determine whether the current superintendent desires to have her contract renewed for another four years. Once those desires are known, I would collaborate with the other four members of the Board to determine the appropriate path forward. I envision and fully support that the final decision be based on a thorough review and discussion of facts, qualities, qualifications and expectations of the future of St Mary’s County Public Schools with the public, parents, teachers, staff and the County Commissioners.
Cathy Allen's response:
The superintendent has made great positive impact on this system during her tenure.  Teacher compensation has increased dramatically.  An aggressive capital projects campaign has modernized and increased capacity to over half our schools.  We have gone from 4 Advanced Placement courses to 21.  These are only a few of the accomplishments under her leadership.  You mention the Moakley Street building.  This building was spoken of at numerous meetings prior to going forward.  We are saving $60,000 a year by having our own building.  It is also a capital asset that, should circumstances require, could be sold at a profit.  The funding formula was also spoken of repeatedly.  This formula not only makes the budget process for the coming years more concrete, it also gives the citizens of St. Mary's County accountability through the report card the school system will issue on itself.  One of the key components of this agreement ensures that the senior administration growth will be held to an increase of no more than .5% as a percent of the total budget in any given year.  We have answered every Freedom of Information Act request of which I am aware.  We spend over 80% of our budget on personnel (the vast majority on teachers and their benefits).  I feel the citizens of St. Mary's County are not willing to pay higher taxes at the current time to increase the system budget.  The issue of the superintendent's contract renewal will come at the time required by statute and contract which is next year and, should the need arise, will be discussed by the entire board in the manner set forth by statute. 
Clare Whitbeck's response:I think the real question is not whether the Superintendent should continue in her position, but rather what can the school system co to provide a better education for all of our children?  Once that question is answered, the Board of Education needs to do whatever it takes so that every child is learning.  We all need to remember that education is about our children.
Pat Woodburn's response:   None received.