Candidate Q&As: Logan school board position 4

The following candidates are seeking election Tuesday to the Logan School Board. Each was asked to respond to the same five questions.

Position 4

(four-year term)

Bill Cone (incumbent)

• What is one thing the district can do to save taxpayers money without compromising student education?

We have been very careful with how money is spent in the district as far as bonds go. There is a need to be more informed and careful on technology purchases. A good example is the purchase of the smart boards, which have had a positive impact on the students and teachers. A example of a decision which should have been researched more was the smart phone system. I voted for the phones, which had to be collected from the students. We did not receive all of the equipment and software we should have and they became more of a distraction then tool for education.

• What is one area in which you'd like to see the district improve and how you would pay for it?

We have a committee in place for the expansion of the agricultural program and I would like to see it stay strong and improve. Math is an another area which needs to be strengthened in elementary and high school. There has been a shortage of funding from federal and state level with today's economy, we would like to find a grant to aid in these areas, though long term planing and bonds may be our next best option.

• How should the district evaluate its teachers?

The law states the superintendents are in charge of evaluating teachers and the school board evaluates the superintendent. You can't get by those guidelines. However, when evaluating superintendents, the school board expects continued growth and increased education performance from the students.

• Could you support school staff carrying weapons on campus? Why or why not? Absolutely. With proper training, teachers should be allowed to carry concealed weapons. A gun free zone in the school is a danger when their could be someone with bad intentions.
• Name one thing the district could do to encourage parent participation in educating children:

We are pretty lucky in Logan there is a lot of parent participation in the school. This is a tight knit community, and that is one of the reasons I ran for school board. I want to be a part of the school and my daughters education.

William Scott Osborn

• Talk about one thing the district can do to save taxpayers money without compromising student education:

I think we can start by working more in-house instead of bringing in outside consultants and having to pay them. We have a good staff and they can continue to keep the school among the top of the state.

• Talk about one area in which you'd like to see the district improve and how you would pay for it:
• I'd like to see the school put in a program to where they can learn a trade if they choose not to attend college. The school receives a lot of grants for various programs and we can find one to improve.
• How should the district evaluate its teachers?

I think we need to look on how they have done in the past and see if they are improving, staying the same or declining in educational standards. The best way is to follow their records, they speak for themselves

• Could you support school staff carrying weapons on campus? Why or why not?

No. You never know how an individual will react or if they themselves may have something go wrong in their life and have an outburst. I think there are some retired officers who can be hired as a consultant on scene, a qualified individual who can work with the staff and get to know the students.

• Name one thing the district could do to encourage parent participation in educating children:

Let the parents come in and discuss why their students are having problems. Have the parents and teachers work together so all children can understand and benefit from the education.

— Compiled by QCS senior writer Thomas Garcia