ROCKWOOD SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES ANSWERED QUESTIONS ABOUT TOPICS SUCH AS DIVERSITY & EQUITY, SPENDING OUR TAX DOLLARS, TEACHER CONCERNS, AND SCHOOL SAFETY
A Rockwood parent sent questions in writing to all 3 candidates. Below are the questions and each candidate's written, unedited responses.
The questions cover the following topics, in order of the questions asked:
1. DEI
2. SPEAKING UP DURING BOARD MEETINGS
3. SPENDING MONEY
4. AGE APPROPRIATE MATERIALS/SEXUALLY EXPLICIT CONTENT
5. TEST SCORES/TEACHER EVALUATION
6. PROTECTING TEACHER PLANNING TIME
7. SCHOOL SAFETY AND CELL PHONES
The candidates' answers are in alphabetical order by their last name: Dunn, Milligan, Rhomberg.
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QUESTION 1: DEI
What are your thoughts on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs in general?
QUESTION 1: DEI
What are your thoughts on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs in general?
Also, do you have any comment about how DEI in Rockwood has been going the past few years? Lawsuits, programs cancelled, admin staff resigning over DEI decisions - this topic has been discussed quite a bit and it's something you may have to consider in the near future as a board member.
THOMAS DUNN'S ANSWER:
DEI in efforts in our school need to focus around including all students regardless of race, and we shouldn’t have programs in place that are targeted at groups based on race. Let them happen organically and not plan around it. Recently, Dr. Cain and his staff have made improvements. I believe the reorganization of the department under Dr. Hankins as Asst VP of Student Services and Dr. Suggs as the Director of the revised Equity and Access department are steps in the right direction if the District feels compelled to have a DEI stance. I do advocate for the district deciding how they expect to measure the success of any DEI programs.
Although I am not a supporter of RSD settling the lawsuit of Brittany Hogan, in the long run it more than likely saved the District money by not going to trial. To the best of my knowledge, only two staff members resigned due to the DEI decisions but perhaps the District retained even more staff because of it. The programs that were cut, should have been cut. They were originally approved under false pretenses and it took alert Board members to deny the funding.
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THOMAS DUNN'S ANSWER:
DEI in efforts in our school need to focus around including all students regardless of race, and we shouldn’t have programs in place that are targeted at groups based on race. Let them happen organically and not plan around it. Recently, Dr. Cain and his staff have made improvements. I believe the reorganization of the department under Dr. Hankins as Asst VP of Student Services and Dr. Suggs as the Director of the revised Equity and Access department are steps in the right direction if the District feels compelled to have a DEI stance. I do advocate for the district deciding how they expect to measure the success of any DEI programs.
Although I am not a supporter of RSD settling the lawsuit of Brittany Hogan, in the long run it more than likely saved the District money by not going to trial. To the best of my knowledge, only two staff members resigned due to the DEI decisions but perhaps the District retained even more staff because of it. The programs that were cut, should have been cut. They were originally approved under false pretenses and it took alert Board members to deny the funding.
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PHIL MILLIGAN'S ANSWER:
Mr. Milligan did not directly answer any of the questions.
His full reply is:
Thank you for your inquiry and interest into the board election.
My website will be up and running very soon. I would suggest that you peruse my platform there. I also plan to participate in the League Of Women Voters forum and would invite you to attend or watch later if you are not able to attend.
I will tell you that one of my commitments to myself as well as to the staff, students and constituents of the Rockwood School District is that I will not offer conjecture about hypothetical situations about which it is impossible to know all of the details as they do not exist. I feel that this sort of painting myself into a future corner, the room of which I have not even been in, does nothing but weaken my potential ability to make the very best decisions for the success of each and every student in the district.
I will also tell you that in each and every situation and issue that comes before the board, I will find out every bit of information available, and will do what I feel is the best for all of the students/staff/stakeholders.
Again, thank you for your interest and I look forward to meeting you at some point in the coming weeks.
Sincerely,
Phil Milligan
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TAMARA RHOMBERG'S ANSWER:
Under Dr. Cain’s leadership, Rockwood is focusing on education and access for all students, after an unanimous vote by the BOE. Dr. Suggs is now the director of that department and is working diligently with all the schools to build an awareness of what it means to be kind and respectful- she is having a positive impact on the district. I encourage you to go to the district website and check out her department and the work that is being done with John Krownapple and the Dignity and Belonging cohorts.https://www.rsdmo.org/departments/educational-equity-and-access
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QUESTION 2: SPEAKING UP DURING BOARD MEETINGS
Do you feel the board meetings are an appropriate venue to make changes on agenda items?
Thank you for your inquiry and interest into the board election.
My website will be up and running very soon. I would suggest that you peruse my platform there. I also plan to participate in the League Of Women Voters forum and would invite you to attend or watch later if you are not able to attend.
I will tell you that one of my commitments to myself as well as to the staff, students and constituents of the Rockwood School District is that I will not offer conjecture about hypothetical situations about which it is impossible to know all of the details as they do not exist. I feel that this sort of painting myself into a future corner, the room of which I have not even been in, does nothing but weaken my potential ability to make the very best decisions for the success of each and every student in the district.
I will also tell you that in each and every situation and issue that comes before the board, I will find out every bit of information available, and will do what I feel is the best for all of the students/staff/stakeholders.
Again, thank you for your interest and I look forward to meeting you at some point in the coming weeks.
Sincerely,
Phil Milligan
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TAMARA RHOMBERG'S ANSWER:
Under Dr. Cain’s leadership, Rockwood is focusing on education and access for all students, after an unanimous vote by the BOE. Dr. Suggs is now the director of that department and is working diligently with all the schools to build an awareness of what it means to be kind and respectful- she is having a positive impact on the district. I encourage you to go to the district website and check out her department and the work that is being done with John Krownapple and the Dignity and Belonging cohorts.https://www.rsdmo.org/departments/educational-equity-and-access
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QUESTION 2: SPEAKING UP DURING BOARD MEETINGS
Do you feel the board meetings are an appropriate venue to make changes on agenda items?
Would you be comfortable offering amendments and changes to proposals at a public meeting....OR....do you feel those adjustments are better done before or after the meeting?
DUNN'S ANSWER:
DUNN'S ANSWER:
Board members receive the meeting agenda several days in advance. If there are finance or policy agenda items, the Board has the opportunity prior to a meeting to ask questions/clarification or request removal of agenda item until a later date. Therefore, the only venue available to make real changes to agenda items is during the public meeting. Board members need to raise concerns or edits in that public setting, and after which an agenda item would be tabled and not voted on.
MILLIGAN'S ANSWER:
Again, Mr. Milligan did not directly answer this question. His full reply is above in the answers to question 1. As added context, he has not yet served as a school board member. Both Dunn and Rhomberg have served as school board members and have experience with changes to agenda items and how to prepare for meetings.
RHOMBERG'S ANSWER:
There are protocols and procedures for board members and community members to post items on BOE agenda and to respond to items on the agenda. I respectfully follow those procedures.
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QUESTION 3: SPENDING MONEY
What do you think is the role of Director when it comes to Expenditures?
RHOMBERG'S ANSWER:
There are protocols and procedures for board members and community members to post items on BOE agenda and to respond to items on the agenda. I respectfully follow those procedures.
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QUESTION 3: SPENDING MONEY
What do you think is the role of Director when it comes to Expenditures?
Do you see yourself as a Director who would "self-audit" some spending items and try to influence the money? Or...do you feel that the district staff is responsible for the details on cost/budget?
DUNN'S ANSWER:
Board members get the agenda items approximately 5 days in advance to review agenda items that require approval, such as funding contracts. My first term as a previous Board director was a learning curve with a COVID twist due to the amount of issues going on, however, I was able to quickly learn what to look for in regards to contracts, funding, program benefits, etc. I don’t intend to rubber stamp every vote and would instead research on my own so I can provide an educated vote. While the District staff is responsible for the costs and budgets, the Board should ensure that all spending is in the best interest of education and the community.
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MILLIGAN'S ANSWER:
Didn't directly answer the question. Full reply is above in answers to question 1.
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RHOMBERG'S ANSWER:
Our role is to approve a balanced budget for the district and then to monitor and adjust that budget to ensure that funding supports the district goals. We have an outstanding financial department that keeps the board informed on a regular basis. I request more information from administration and the finance department, as necessary.
DUNN'S ANSWER:
Board members get the agenda items approximately 5 days in advance to review agenda items that require approval, such as funding contracts. My first term as a previous Board director was a learning curve with a COVID twist due to the amount of issues going on, however, I was able to quickly learn what to look for in regards to contracts, funding, program benefits, etc. I don’t intend to rubber stamp every vote and would instead research on my own so I can provide an educated vote. While the District staff is responsible for the costs and budgets, the Board should ensure that all spending is in the best interest of education and the community.
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MILLIGAN'S ANSWER:
Didn't directly answer the question. Full reply is above in answers to question 1.
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RHOMBERG'S ANSWER:
Our role is to approve a balanced budget for the district and then to monitor and adjust that budget to ensure that funding supports the district goals. We have an outstanding financial department that keeps the board informed on a regular basis. I request more information from administration and the finance department, as necessary.
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QUESTION 4: AGE APPROPRIATE MATERIALS AND SEXUALLY EXPLICIT CONTENT
There is obviously "a line" for all people when it comes to Age Appropriate materials for students.
We don't allow any and all materials in our schools, but that line is very different for different members of the community. Can you describe your "line in the sand" when it comes to sexually explicit content? For elementary, middle, high school?
DUNN'S ANSWER:
DUNN'S ANSWER:
I believe the Library staff has to do a better job vetting books before they hit the shelf and not just making selections based on national association lists. Once new books enter the library system, it becomes very difficult to remove with the district book review/challenge process. Any sexually explicit material, in particular graphic novels, should not be in the school libraries. If they are, they should be behind the librarians desk and should only be given to students with parental permission first. The book challenge process also needs to be revised.
MILLIGAN'S ANSWER:
He did not directly answer. See his reply in the answers to question 1.
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RHOMBERG'S ANSWER:
Educational materials should be age appropriate. The district has a policy and regulations regarding challenged materials. Our librarians follow all state guidelines for challenged materials in the district. See Policy 6241.Note that parents are able to place controls on their child's RSD library account. In addition, there are always alternative reading choices for classroom assignments.
Added context from staff at this site:
The controls that Ms. Rhomberg mentioned have to do with what books your child checks out of the library. They do not keep students from accessing the books/reading them while in the library.
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QUESTION 5: TEST SCORES/TEACHER EVALUATION
Should test scores be a metric used in the evaluation of job performance for the district staff?
DUNN'S ANSWER:
Standardized test scores provide an understanding of where students are and where the teaching efforts need to be, however since the tests administered in Missouri change every few years there is disappointingly always a moving target. I am personally in favor of teachers having some measurable performance objectives, however, teacher performance has unfortunately never been an agenda item that has come up in front of the board.
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MILLIGAN'S ANSWER:
Did not directly answer. His reply is in the section for question 1 answers, above.
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RHOMBERG'S ANSWER:
Test scores are only one variable in the evaluation of a teacher. Student test scores and grades do not tell the full story on their own.
A wide range of factors make a teacher successful in their work, including:
Formal education and continuing education
Experience in the classroom and the education sector
The ability to foster positive interactions with students
The ability to create a positive classroom environment
Successfully using homework and assessments to determine student proficiency
Communication with students, parents, and coworkers
Integration of various teaching techniques to accommodate the unique needs of each student
Accommodation of students with disabilities or behavioral challenge
Formal education and continuing education
Experience in the classroom and the education sector
The ability to foster positive interactions with students
The ability to create a positive classroom environment
Successfully using homework and assessments to determine student proficiency
Communication with students, parents, and coworkers
Integration of various teaching techniques to accommodate the unique needs of each student
Accommodation of students with disabilities or behavioral challenge
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QUESTION 6: PROTECTING TEACHER PLANNING TIME
What can a Board Director do to make sure teacher plan times are protected and not used for the various other meetings and duties that come up?
DUNN'S ANSWER:
As Board Directors, all we can do is bring this issue to the attention of the Superintendent and his staff to make sure that planning time is being used as was intended. Currently, I know that is not always the case.
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MILLIGAN'S ANSWER:
Did not directly answer this question. His full reply is above, in the section for answers to question 1.
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QUESTION 6: PROTECTING TEACHER PLANNING TIME
What can a Board Director do to make sure teacher plan times are protected and not used for the various other meetings and duties that come up?
DUNN'S ANSWER:
As Board Directors, all we can do is bring this issue to the attention of the Superintendent and his staff to make sure that planning time is being used as was intended. Currently, I know that is not always the case.
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MILLIGAN'S ANSWER:
Did not directly answer this question. His full reply is above, in the section for answers to question 1.
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RHOMBERG'S ANSWER:
BOE directors do not micro manage the everyday management of our schools. While I understand that this may be an issue- it is best addressed at the building level and through negotiations with the teachers.
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QUESTION 7: SCHOOL SAFETY AND CELL PHONES
Would you consider a school "safe" if you could not use your cell phone to dial 9-1-1 due to poor cell phone connectivity?
DUNN'S ANSWER:
I recommend that the district install panic/alert buttons in every room that automatically alerts first responders when there is an emergency at the school.
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MILLIGAN'S ANSWER:
Did not directly answer. Full reply is in answers to question 1.
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RHOMBERG'S ANSWER:
This is a concern that is being addressed and was a specific issue in Prop 3 which will be addressed in the near future.
CANDIDATE FORUM
Did not directly answer. Full reply is in answers to question 1.
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RHOMBERG'S ANSWER:
This is a concern that is being addressed and was a specific issue in Prop 3 which will be addressed in the near future.
CANDIDATE FORUM
The candidates will be in the same room answering more questions during the League of Women Voters forum this Wednesday, March 6th from 6 pm to 8 pm at Rockwood's Administrative Annex.
The League of Women Voters has been accepting questions from the community. If you'd like to submit a question, here is the link.
Voting is April 2nd.