KILLEEN DAILY HERALD | SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 2017
2017 Election Guide
A9
7 candidates are running for 2 seats on Killeen ISD board
Three candidates vie for single seat on Heights council
BY QUINTON LILLEY KILLEEN DAILY HERALD
HARKER HEIGHTS — Three residents are running for the Place 3 City Council seat vacated by Spencer Smith, who is seeking the position of mayor in the May 6 election. Smith is running unopposed, as is Place 4 incumbent Councilman John Reider. Pat Christ was the first to file for the seat vacated by Smith. Christ Christ left the council in May 2016 after being term-limited. He served two three-year terms from 2003 to 2009 and again from 2010 until last year. On Feb. 17, the last day to file, two politiFountain cal newcomers, Laurie Williamson-McElhiney and Jackeline Soriano Fountain added their names to the ballot running against Christ for the Place 3 seat on the council. Christ has a BA in McElhiney accounting and an MBA plus 23 years on active duty as a comptroller and intelligence officer in the U.S. Army. Since retirement from the Army, Christ has been an independent contractor building commercial and residential properties in the area. Christ has been married for 40 years to his wife, Linda, also a retired Army officer and they have one son, Mike. Christ has lived in Harker Heights for the past 27 years. Laurie Williamson-McElhiney has been a resident of Harker Heights for over 30 years. She has two children who graduated from Harker Heights High School and owned a business in Killeen for several years until her late husband passed away. She became store manager until her retirement. McElhiney is remarried to a military officer who spent 44 years in the military as an Apache pilot and is now a retired veteran. Jackeline Soriano Fountain served in the U.S. Army for 28 years and retired in 2007 where she served as a garrison command sergeant major at Fort Hood. Fountain was recruited by the Pentagon Federal Credit Union to manage their Fort Buchanan Branch in Puerto Rico. Fountain and her husband,
The Killeen Independent School District school board election has two seats up for grabs. Of the seven Killeen school board candidates, five of them will be vying for the Place 5 seat, currently held by school board President Terry Delano. Earlier this year, Delano said he would not be running for re-election. The five
months to voice their opinion on some of the issues they will face if elected. In the coming months, the two elected candidates will need to address a number of issues existing in Killeen ISD including overcrowding and growth throughout the district, open campus lunch policies, a possible fifth high school, the special education department improvement plan, improving A-F state ratings for KISD, financial and other issues.
newcomers who are trying to get voted into that seat are: Lan Carter, Gerald Dreher, Lonnie Farrow, Bob Snyder and Carlyle Walton. Incumbent Marvin Rainwater and challenger Stephania Williams are running for the Place 4 seat. Candidates have had a chance over the past few
BY BOB MASSEY HERALD CORRESPONDENT
ELECTION GUIDE INDEX PAGES A10 AND A11: Killeen school board candidates answer questions on special education, growth issues and the superintendant’s salary. PAGES A12 TO A14: Killeen City Council candidates answer questions on safeguarding public funds, their financial experience and how they plan to attract new business to the Killeen area. ALSO IN TODAY’S HERALD: Page A1: Campaign finance reports reveal who has been donated to, and from whom. PAGE B1: Local candidates vie for votes at Killeen election forum. READ MORE about the election and watch videos of the candidates at kdhnews.com/centerforpolitics/ NOTE: Some candidates’ answers were shortened to fit the space.
Lampasas city, school board prepare for upcoming election in long term solutions that ensure continued quality water supply and to hold rates as low as Monroe Veazey practical. Provide for outstanding public safety services. Maintain existing public works infrastructure in good condition, then upgrade and expand in areas that support natural growth. Support our existing business community while attracting new businesses that are a good fit for the community. Ensure parks and recreation facilities are well maintained and fit with community wishes. Veazey: I feel it is vital we focus on the importance of continual economic growth and maintaining a strong police force and fire department. I believe it is important that we focus on improving and maintaining the quality of the existing infrastructure of our city.
BY ARTIE PHILLIPS KILLEEN DAILY HERALD
PLEASE SEE HEIGHTS, A15
LAMPASAS — In addition to voters deciding if a new jail should be built, the city has two contested seats up for grabs in the May 6 general election. Two people filed for each position. The Lampasas Independent School District has one contested race that also has two candidates running for the seat. In the City Council race, incumbent Chris Harrison is squaring off against newcomer Delana Toups for the Place 1 election. Incumbent T.J. Monroe will be facing Kevin Veazey for the Place 6 seat. In the Place 7 race for the Lampasas school board, incumbent Ryan Shahan will be challenged by Robert Goodart. The Herald spoke with each of the candidates and asked them how they felt about city issues they may be facing. Here is what they said:
CITY COUNCIL
1) What, to you, are the most important issues facing the city of Lampasas? Monroe: Water is becoming a concern for many Texas communities. City management and council must be proactive
2) With Lampasas having a sizeable military population, how would you further
relations with Fort Hood and the U.S. Army? Monroe: Continue to spread the word so the Fort Hood community is aware of all the benefits Lampasas has to offer, whether it be a place to call home or place to “escape” for the day. Events like the annual “FT Hood Welcome” provide an excellent venue to showcase our community and welcome incoming military personnel. As a member of the Lampasas Economic Development Corp. we are developing our Business Park on Hwy 183 and recruiting companies that could capitalize on our proximity to FH and the assets and opportunities FH offers. Our local businesses are able to interact with the Heart of Texas Alliance at FH job for skilled, qualified retirees. Veazey: I fully support and believe in our military. I personally work with the Director of the USO on Fort Hood in the church I pastor and I believe if Lampasas can partner with the USO it would open a great avenue for us to help promote relations between our city & Fort Hood. PLEASE SEE LAMPASAS, A15
Belton ISD bond, Salado disannexation issue on the ballot FME NEWS SERVICE
BELTON — The Belton Independent School District will hold a $149.7 million bond election on May 6 that, if approved by voters, would fund two new campuses and other improvements to accommodate a booming student population. School trustees unanimously voted for the election at a special session in February. The board also voted to call an election on the same
day for two at-large trustees, as required by law. Running in that election will be will be four candidates for two at-large seats. Incumbent Jason Carothers filed re-election. Licensed counselor Kerri Pearson and former Belton ISD teacher Janet Leigh and businessman Ty Taggart also filed for the election. Trustee Amanda Winkler said that she would not seek re-election because of chronic health problems.
The top two vote-getters will win the at-large seats. Growth in the student population is the primary purpose of the bond issue, which would allow the district to build a new elementary school and a new high school. Some bond funds would also be used to remodel some existing schools. “We grew by nearly 3,000 students over the last decade,” Superintendent Susan Kincannon said in her
presentation to the board in February. In the fall of 2017, BISD anticipates five campuses will be at or near capacity. Last November, the district hired Templeton Demographics, a school enrollment consulting firm based in Southlake, to analyze how burgeoning growth in Bell County would affect their schools. Templeton projected the district would gain 1,863 PLEASE SEE BELTON ISD, A15
Early voting for May 6 election begins April 24 Early voting for the May 6 election begins April 24 and ends May 2. Your last day to apply for a ballot by mail is April 25. Ballot-by-mail applications must be received by that day. The following is a list of area early voting locations.
KILLEEN CITY COUNCIL POLLING LOCATIONS EARLY VOTING
Killeen City Hall, 101 N. College Street April 24: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. April 25-29: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. May 1: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. May 2: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Killeen Community Center, 2201 E. Veterans Memorial Boulevard April 24: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. April 25-29: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. May 1: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. May 2: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Lions Club Park Senior Center, 1700-B E. Stan Schlueter Loop April 24: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. April 25-29: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. May 1: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. May 2: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
KILLEEN ISD POLLING LOCATIONS KISD Central office, 200 S. WS Young Drive, Killeen April 24- May 2: 8 a.m. 5 p.m. Harker Heights City Hall, 305 Miller’s Crossing. Harker Heights April 24: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. April 25: 7 a.m. -7 p.m. April: 26-28: 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. May 1: 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. May 2: 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.
April 25-28: 8 a.m. -5 p.m. May 1: 8 a.m. -5 p.m. May 2: 7 a.m. -7 p.m.
HARKER HEIGHTS CITY COUNCIL POLLING LOCATIONS Harker Heights Recreation Center, 307 Miller’s Crossing April 24-28: 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. April 29: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. April 30: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. May 1: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. May 2: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Killeen City Hall, 101 N. College St., Killeen April 24: 7 a.m.-7 p.m. April 25-28: 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. LAMPASAS ISD POLLING LOCATIONS May 1: 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Elections Administrator’s Office, 407 S. May 2: 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. Pecan, Lampasas April 24-May 2: 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Gilmore Senior Center, 2201 E. Veterans April 25 and May 2: 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. Memorial Blvd., Killeen April 24: 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. Lometa JP 2/3 Building, 200 N. 4th, April 25-28: 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Lometa May 1: 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. April 24-May: 2 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. May 2: 7 a.m. -7 p.m. Lions Club Park Senior Center, 1700-B E. Stan Schlueter Loop April 24: 7 a.m. -7 p.m.
LAMPASAS CITY COUNCIL POLLING LOCATIONS
Elections Administrator’s Office, 407 S.
Pecan, Lampasas April 24-28 from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 29-30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 1-2 from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
BELTON ISD POLLING LOCATIONS
Belton ISD Administration Building, 400 N Wall St, Belton April 24-28: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. April 29-30: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 1-2: 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Belton High School 600 Lake Road, Belton April 24-28: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. April 29-30: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 1-2: 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m. North Belton Middle School (7907 Prairie View Road, Temple) April 24-28: 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. April 29-30: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 1-2: 7:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
A10
2017 ELECTION GUIDE
KILLEEN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL BOARD QUESTIONS
SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 2017 | KILLEEN DAILY HERALD
1) KISD was previously under investigation for delays in providing appropriate education to special education students. Parents have complained about these and other issues related to their special needs children in KISD. What changes should be made to the special education department in KISD?
PLACE 5
2) Three of KISD’s main high schools are over capacity. Officials projected a new high school could cost more than $100 million. Others have suggested turning the career center into another high school. How would you suggest KISD address the overcrowding issue?
3) Currently KISD board members handle a nearly $400 million budget. What are your qualifications to manage this amount of taxpayers’ money?
4) Currently KISD Superintendent John Craft makes $254,918 per year. How would you rate his performance. Do you have suggested improvements for his performance?
5) KISD recently fared poorly on the state’s A-F ratings. Although the rating system is being revised, core issues remain. How would you direct administrators to improve student performance?
Lan Carter
Gerald Dreher
Of vital importance is the hiring of qualified and experienced staff in Special Education. The head of the Special Education should be someone with vast amounts of classroom experience dealing with Special Education students. I am a huge proponent of education, however, education alone doesn’t make someone a subject matter expert. Unfortunately, the district failed to do that when they hired the present Special Education Director. A doctorate degree and a Principal’s certification doesn’t qualify someone as a specialist in Special Education. A subject matter expert as the lead would know how to better prepare general education teachers as well.
As a career and technology teacher, I can appreciate the Career Center. I have toured the Center and have been wowed by the students work as well as the technology housed on campus. However, the 160,000 square feet campus is not being fully utilized with an enrollment of 1640 students The Center is not open to every student and many students with disabilities are prevented from attending. Copperas Cove High School offers CTE classes to students in the same building as core classes. Copperas Cove High School also offers certifications for its students in technology, health care, marketing and more.
Simply put, the only budget that I have been responsible for handling is my household budget. However, I do believe fiscal responsibility is important. I understand the value of spending taxpayers money wisely and the benefits of prioritizing needs vs wants.
I believe Dr. Craft’s performance as an Administrator has benefited the district. In my opinion, he outperformed his predecessor as: he is active in the community and attends many of KISD’s events in the community, found him to be approachable, and willing to lend an ear. According to KISD’s website, it’s the 26th largest district in the state of Texas. Compare Austin which is the 5th largest school district and its Superintendent’s pay of $286K with a population of 83,648 to KISD’s population of 43,258. My humble opinion is that Dr. Craft salary is more than I am comfortable with.
Administrators should promote less emphasis on testing and more emphasis on identifying at risk students to provide supportive intervention programs to strengthen their weaknesses. Provide more hands on and peer learning opportunities in learning. I would recommend School Counselors being able to reach out to students more rather than be bogged down in paperwork. According to American School Counselor Association (ASCA) School Counselors are to promote student development: emotionally, academically, career readiness, and etc.
We need to keep improving in this area. Simply because we have met State standards does not mean that we have the problem solved. As a board member I will continue to closely observe, meet with parents, teachers, and administrators and community leaders to make sure that we continue to improve in this area. We need to hire people into our special education program that have a deep background and proven success in this area. This should be something that the superintendent is directly accountable for.
This is a two part problem. We must address the problem for today’s students as well as future students. We need to look at things that are outside the way we have always done things, staggered school hours, moving students to ECHS and the career center, and other things to lighten the load. Simultaneously we need to plan ahead and start saving for a new school, built within ten years that will be large enough to meet our growth for the next twenty years. We cannot build new schools that have portable buildings set up the next year!
Really this is a question of judgement. I have held managerial and command positions in the Army and in the civilian world for over 30 years and have managed substantial budgets during this time. As a physician, my patients trust me with their life and health. Similarly, as a board member I am asking taxpayers to trust me with their hard earned tax dollars and the education and well-being of their children. I can think of no more solemn responsibility and I assure you that I will treat it with the care that I have shown my Soldiers and patients.
I believe that Dr. Craft’s salary is in line with other school superintendents responsible for managing similar districts. As a board I believe that we need to hold our superintendent accountable for the district’s performance. We need to see marked improvements in special education, a plan to handle emerging growth, and a plan to raise our grades on the state evaluation. I believe that his future employment needs to be tied to success in those and other metrics. I also believe that the superintendent should take a more prominent role in conveying the district’s message to the public.
I believe that it is irresponsible to dismiss the results simply because the reporting system is not perfect. I would recommend the creation of a team made up of teachers, parents, and administrators to analyze the results, make recommendations and report directly to the superintendent and school board. We need to look at creative solutions, public/private partnerships, and new ways of doing business in the district. We can complain about the scoring system, but the facts remains we will be judged by it; we need to get smart and figure out how to fix things.
I have a background in both accounting and managerial accounting. Budgeting for any district or organization is about effective project planning and resource management. Both of which are done via tried and tested methods. I also have a background in tax preparation which requires great attention to detail and the discipline to follow stringent rules. There are a litany of qualifications that I could list but none of that matters if an individual is unethical. I will bring transparency to all that I do.
It’s not my responsibility to rate Mr. Crafts performance. There are independent audits that have the established criteria that all districts under their jurisdiction. Other districts that have similar compensation guidelines scored more favorably then KISD did in key areas such as PostSecondary readiness. So the question I would ask Mr. Craft is does he feel that he is putting the children in KISD in the position to make 250K a year or does our current educational system teach the skills to be marginally above the federal poverty guidelines set by the US government.
The core issues that remain are what we need to focus on. When our children do not meet the standards on a state issued test we do not go back to the state and say that they should lower the standards of the test so we can pass. Instead we hold the teachers accountable for the metrics not being met. Likewise the district needs to be held accountable for the ratings received instead of passing the buck on to its employees and parents.
I suggest that we not only build a new high school, but that we leverage the facilities we currently have and convert the Career center into a technical high school. In its current capacity it is not being optimized to educate as many minds as it can in an efficient and effective manner. America ranks 14th in education amongst world powers, while countries such as Japan and S. Korea dominate the top 5. Tomorrow’s Education Now includes facilities that can physically and mentally accommodate our children today and tomorrow.
Lonnie Farrow
The lack of transparency in KISD is what allowed the delays in education to take place. Without transparency we are left with delayed accountability. Delayed accountability leads to delayed development. All of the children who were allowed to succumb to the educational deficiencies that were created by this opaque environment were done a disservice by not only the district that was trusted to develop the children but also by the community that did not hold the board accountable for policies that prohibit educational standards from being met. Change must begin by full transparency for all classrooms and educational processes.
Robert “Bob” Snyder
Carlyle Walton
I think the district has worked extremely hard this past year in improving its special education programs. They hired a director, Dr. Jan Peronto, who is leading this endeavor; all staff are conducting evaluations in a timely manner and a parent information center was created in addition to liaisons to address parent concerns. As noted in the KDH article, the Special Education Department is now 100% in compliance with the requests from the Texas Education Agency. This is a step in the right direction. The district has also followed SB 507 and cameras have been put in self-contained classrooms.
KISD has submitted an approved three-year plan to ensure appropriate education is provided for special education students. Implementation of this plan by KISD leadership, consistent public reporting with measurable outcomes to the Trustees of adherence to the plan and the initiatives implemented, must occur. Active participation by parents of special education children through the formation of a parental special education advisory committee, can be very instrumental in proactively addressing concerns, challenges and opportunities. Utilization of district provided resources available at the Parent Resource Room at the Jackson Professional Learning Center can also assist in enhancing special education services.
Although a 5th high school is part of KISD Strategic Facilities plan for 2019, at this time building a new high school would not be favorable due to the cost. I believe that there are other viable options. Expansion of the Career Center is one option since land is available and the number of students attending is increasing due to the fact that more students are wanting to enter the job force with certifications earned from attending the Career Center. Early College High School expansion is the second alternative to a 5th high school.
My greatest asset that I bring as a candidate for the KISD School Board is my financial background. I graduated from Texas A&M University in College Station in 1980 with a BBA in Business Management. This degree required many hours in accounting and finance. After graduation, I began my professional career here in Killeen in banking. The majority of my banking career was spent in commercial lending where I was required to determine the creditworthiness of individuals. This required understanding tax returns and other accounting statements. Later, an opportunity arose for me to start my own business.
Dr. Craft has done an excellent job in leading the largest school district between Dallas and Austin. He oversees around 44,000 students, over 6,300 employees, and an operating expenditure budget of over $356,000,000. Since the inception of the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas, KISD has maintained the highest achievement rating possible. In 2015-16, all 49 campuses Met Standard, the highest rating given by the Texas Education Agency; all accomplishments under his leadership. A strength of Dr. Craft’s is his communication with staff members. He and his Deputy Superintendent and others visit the campuses each year and talk to administrators.
It is important to know that this new accountability rating is a preliminary measurement. Currently the House Public Education Chairman and the Senate Education Chairman have both proposed similar bills that would condense the number of categories that schools and district get A-F grades. HB 22 and SB 2051 would grade three categories: student achievement, school progress, and school climate. It is worth noting that all of the 49 KISD campuses Met Standard, the highest rating given by the Texas Education Agency last year. Also, the ones that were rated D or F schools had no control over these outcomes.
Based on the growth trajectory of our district, a fifth high school (or some may say sixth) seems inevitable. However, exploring opportunities such as expanding the Career Center and its class offerings, thereby making it available to a greater number of students, and continuing the growth of the Early College High School (our defacto fifth high school) and the great collaboration with Central Texas College that this offers, are initiatives that need to be vetted and pursued as appropriate, concurrent with the development of plans for a dedicated fifth school campus.
Professionally, the over 30 years of being blessed to be a Certified Public Accountant that began with auditing organizations with multi-million dollar operations coupled with the past 28 years leading organizations with multi-million dollar operations has equipped me to understand and make difficult, principled decisions on utilizing available dollars to serve our community most effectively and efficiently. Personally, I view the dollars available to KISD as more than taxpayers’ money. This is God’s money, and He expects me to be the very best steward of His resources.
The 2016-17 Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) report indicates that of the 26 school districts statewide with enrollment between 25,000-49,999 students, Dr. Craft’s compensation is in the 25th percentile. I rate his performance as very good. Dr. Craft is a fellow Rotarian, personal friend, the husband of a KISD teacher, and the father of KISD students, with a heart that passionately pursues the best for children and KISD. He is tireless in his advocacy for public education and his annual ratings by the board have been very positive.
In all of the 200 performance indicators under the state’s current accountability system, KISD was deemed to meet or exceed the standards. Always seeking to exceed the standards needs to be the aspirational goal of our district and the areas where the standard is just being met need to be addressed for improvement. Until the A-F rating system is improved and deemed by TEA to be reflective of district performance and not just done to meet a legislative mandate, opportunities for improvement based on the current performance indicators and needs of our district must be our focus.
2017 ELECTION GUIDE
KILLEEN DAILY HERALD | SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 2017
KILLEEN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL BOARD QUESTIONS
PLACE 4
KISD is currently in compliance with TEA guidelines. KISD had reorganized special education, changed leadership, developed an internal auditing system, changed the roles of campus special education staff and developed parent resources for KISD parents. The district has sought input from parents, teachers, administrators regarding special education performance. Special Education will remain a priority for KISD.
I have always favored the Career Center/Pathways campuses becoming the 5th high school. KISD is currently developing plans to add a cafeteria, agricultural barn classroom space to the Career Center. This is really a difficult question, which is more about changes in KISD. Will KISD student population continue to grow? If so where? How do we manage closed schools? How will the likely change of KISD no longer being a highly impacted school district affect future funding? Texas Senate Bill 3 purposes changes in funding with vouchers, which could take $110 billion away from public schools to charter or private school.
4) Currently KISD Superintendent John Craft makes $254,918 per year. How would you rate his performance. Do you have suggested improvements for his performance?
5) KISD recently fared poorly on the state’s A-F ratings. Although the rating system is being revised, core issues remain. How would you direct administrators to improve student performance?
If I understand the question you are asking if I have ever managed a 344 million dollar budget. I have not. I have served as a trustee for 3 years which has helped develop and has final approval for the district’s budget. I have experience managing a high school budget, a Career Center budget which included Carl Perkins federal spending, and a athletic department budget. I hope these experiences lead me to sound budget making decisions, with the help of my fellow trustees.
This is really a “thumb in the eye question.” The superintendent’s salary is at the midpoint of superintendent’s for school districts our size according to a Texas Association School Board study. Our trustees evaluate the superintendent each January. I am pleased with the superintendent’s performance. I have also made recommendations for areas I felt needed to be improved.
The A-F rating system stinks! This system oversimplify student successes or shortfalls, increases pressure for student testing, which is out of control, ignores factors other than test scores. This system is also demoralizing to students, teachers and community leaders who support public education!
Working as a soldier and professional in the past and current workforce I have projected spending, developed budgets, managed and balanced budgets of enormous amounts with success. I current my run a nonprofit and have raised funding for camps, clothing, food, education and other essentials for our community.
Based on current data and student numbers if the budget allows for the building of a new high school the district should move forward with the project. The Career Center should continue to be utilized for vocational education. The district should seek ways to accommodate and modify the Career Center in order for all students to utilize the Center especially those disadvantaged or with disabilities who otherwise might not have the means to gain training to become productive and independent as an adult.
Special Education across the state of Texas is a systemic problem. Killeen ISD Special Education Program had been weak for over 30 years with regression taking place each year. The current administration inherited those concerns and has been in reactive mode instead of proactive mold due to the years of regression. A great start would be intense administrator, teacher, staff and parent training, knowledge and implementation of the laws that provide a free and appropriate education to those under Response to Intervention and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Spend less of the budget on attorneys fighting parents and more on.
3) Currently KISD board members handle a nearly $400 million budget. What are your qualifications to manage this amount of taxpayers’ money?
Stephania Williams
2) Three of KISD’s main high schools are over capacity. Officials projected a new high school could cost more than $100 million. Others have suggested turning the career center into another high school. How would you suggest KISD address the overcrowding issue?
Marvin Rainwater
1) KISD was previously under investigation for delays in providing appropriate education to special education students. Parents have complained about these and other issues related to their special needs children in KISD. What changes should be made to the special education department in KISD?
A11
Dr. John Craft, Superintendent of KISD has had to play catch up over the past few years as he’s navigated the education system currently in place. Based on the current A-F System. I would rate Dr. Craft a B for Effort; C for Non completion; and a D for not thinking outside the box and improving the education and services for All students in the district.
Administrators, Teachers, Parents and the community as a whole need to demand better legislation and education for children at the state level. KISD could start by listening to the community; provided training and education; lower the student to teacher ratio; provide the resources, services and supports not only to teachers but students; increase the pay of teachers and staff that educate our greatest resource, STUDENTS.
A12
2017 ELECTION GUIDE
KILLEEN CITY COUNCIL QUESTIONS
DISTRICT 1
Shirley Fleming
Holly Teel
SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 2017 | KILLEEN DAILY HERALD
1) As a council member, you have a responsibility to watch how taxpayers’ and utility ratepayers’ money is spent. How would you safeguard public funds in an objective and transparent way?
2) What experience do you have in financial management and how will you use that experience on the council?
3) Assuming you have no additional money, what is your plan to attack Killeen’s violent crime concerns?
4) What are your top three priorities and how will you accomplish them?
5) What would you do to attract new businesses or industries that bring highpaying jobs to Killeen?
As a councilwoman, I would always work with the city manager and staff on a weekly level, watching out for the expenditures of the division heads, making sure that the citizens are aware of how their taxes and fees are spent throughout the city, watching the budget items, contractors that we hire — we have to always be transparent. I will always insist our monies be spent to benefit our community. I continue to follow our policies and procedures, our ordinances and our city charter.
I had our trucking business where I reported my everyday, updated monthly financial reports to TxDOT in Austin. I worked in Germany as an accountant specialist, responsible for daily deposits of $500.000 or more. I attended business college and have over 30 years experience in the area of finance.
I have been instrumental in holding neighborhood watch meetings and allowing citizens to continue to be heard and involved. Through the community I work together with our police force and would hold fundraisers and apply for state grants to assist in fighting crime and violence in our community. I have organized over 15 neighborhood watch captains to work with their neighbors. Neighborhoods pulled together to buy the city signs that are now displayed at both ends of the streets.
I feel that crime, water, and jobs are my top three concerns. I have already addressed crime reduction and job creation. We must work with our experts who deals with our water problems and make sure we have enough water to last us in the future. Water is critical to the city’s well-being and survival. The WCID 1 has a board that the city is paying to allow us to use water, but in the future the city of Killeen needs to own its own water and operate and control their own water system.
I will continue to work with the Economic Development Board, the Chamber of Commerce, veteran organizations and other resources to increase efforts to reach out and attract businesses from in and out of the area and encourage entrepreneurs to start up new enterprises right here in the great city of Killeen. Also, alot of small businesses are struggling, so why can’t we have a revolving account where small businesses can take out loans? That will help them know the city is thinking of them.
Safeguarding the taxpayers’ and ratepayers’ money is a very hard job. I would start with the results of the audit. Then I would look at the areas that were not covered and also hold those responsible for the problems responsible. I still believe that we could have saved the taxpayers money by contacting the FBI and letting them do a forensic audit. Honestly, the citizens should still call and demand the FBI to step in. They handle this stuff and can find out what happened faster. The only time someone argues is when they have something to hide.
My experience with finances comes from a family of business owners. I also was a small business owner. I have seen what works and what did not work. I come with my own life experiences, my own knowledge of working with and handling money for my own business and a few other high-dollar companies. What I do not know, I always research first and learn. I would rather make an educated guess then just making an uneducated choice. I also study business management and took a few classes in accounting.
Educate the public on crime — if the public is not informed, then we have no chance. You cannot educate only one group and not educate all the public. Yes, it’s hard to admit, we have problems. Even harder to admit when it can cost the city money. Well, once again I am going to say this, educations is the answer to everything! Holding rental owners and apartment complexes accountable is the first step, by going after the true reason the quality of life is down in District 1 in some areas rental properties that are not kept up.
My top three priorities remain the same: A true forensic audit, what the people want. Crime because it harms the quality of life. Jobs — without jobs we all lose.
We need jobs; that is a fact. I would look at other things like education statistics, and this would tell me what type of companies to reach out to. If we do not have skilled or educated workers, then companies will not come. Fact is they want talent first — technically trained workers. They look at the quality of life, more than they do at tax breaks, currently. That includes schools that are bilingual and offer education to all, nursing homes, grocery stores, art centers, museums that are diverse in arts, history and more.
I highly respect our first responders at all levels. That said, the community and crime has changed. Therefore, policing must evolve to respond to our violent crime epidemic. I will work with our city manager to hire a new police chief that has experience and commitment to address violent crime among young people. Most violent crime is drug related. Programs must be adopted to reduce the demand for drugs. This will reduce the related crime. Citizens must get involved. Neighborhoods with vigilant neighbors have far less crime.
My top three priorities are to reduce violent crime, financially stabilize our city government and get back to building a city and restoring respectability to the Killeen City Council. I am confident that my presence on the council as a consensus builder and leader will move the city in a positive direction toward achieving these goals and the goals of other council members. The council and mayor must set the agenda to improve the quality of life in Killeen.
As I respond to this question, I am spending a few days with three manufacturing CEO’s from the Midwest. My answer is based on conversations we have had related to attracting manufacturers to Killeen. There must be tax incentives, reasonable labor and raw material cost and a market for manufactured products in close proximity. Providing high-paying jobs is unfortunately not a priority as manufacturers must be competitive in our global economy. The solution I envision is for local people or groups to establish employee-owned companies to produce and market products, services and information worldwide.
DISTRICT 2
I have owned and managed Wells Laundry for some 40 years and built it into a financially strong business. Additionally, I have served as treasurer and chairman of the board of our VLA theater, the Texas Coin Laundry Association and the national Coin Laundry Association. The high bond rating that the city currently enjoys was earned when I served previously on the council. I will use the experience developed from these offices to restore our city government to financial stability and respect.
Kenny Wells
I would safeguard public funds by requesting that (City Manager Ron) Olson draft a balance sheet and provide it to the council on a quarterly basis. I dare say that no one can currently state the value of assets, total liabilities and net worth of the city of Killeen. More importantly, I understand Killeen city government and know what questions to ask and am not hesitant to do so. We now have an experienced and transparent city manager in place who will assist the council in making sound decisions that serve the best interests of the citizens that we represent.
By studying and analyzing how we have spent and safeguarded public funds for the last six years — then doing the exact opposite.
I ran a small business, worked as a contractor at Fort Hood, was a paying agent in Baghdad and was an Army officer for eight years. This very diverse experience allows me to be able to forecast future expenditures and plan for them accordingly.
People do not travel to Killeen to commit crimes, they already live here. So we need to make it uncomfortable for those criminals to live here. Anytime there is an interaction with law enforcement then the officer and judge will max out the penalty. Earn the reputation that if you have a record then you will toe the line when you are inside the city limits.
Balance the budget — The demands of taxpayers are the priority, not city workers and special interests that do not live inside the city limits and therefore are not subject to taxation and rate increases which they demand every year. Improve the business climate — Place a performance requirement on organizations like the Chamber of Commerce, Killeen Economic Development Commission, and Heart of Texas Defense Alliance; if they do not perform then eliminate their budgets and find a private firm that will. Crime — Violent crime is one thing but electing officials in this city that are not susceptible to bribery or coercion is the first step.
Given that this community has so much to offer outside investors I believe the reason that those investments have not been made is due to the fact that our elected officials have a reputation for playing favorites with local land owners. Why would any company want to invest in a community where the local government plays games with contracts and denies a level playing field to outsiders? Start electing people with integrity who are not selling themselves off to lawyers and developers.
The city already has certified and trained police officers to protect our city. I would ensure that the police department has the resources and officers needed to protect the city. The city has the Crime Stoppers, Citizen Police Academy and the Explorer program. I would work with these organizations to see where they could be used in some of the less threatening situations that occur. I would work with the City Council, city manager and the police chief to find solutions to reduce crime in the city. I believe that monthly police forums and safety classes for residents will be a great benefit.
My first priority is the quality of life for Killeen residents: I strongly feel that providing the essential public services, jobs and a safe environment for residents in an effective manner will address that. My second priority is community development: The city should provide quality services for senior residents and develop activities for youth. My third priority is public safety: Provide adequate funding for first responders. I would work with the council and city manager to analyze the funds that are needed to provide personnel, reliable vehicles, and updated equipment within the regulations for First Responders.
The city must have a solid infrastructure in place to support big business/industries. I would work with the council and city manager to ensure the Killeen Chamber and Economic Development has adequate funding to recruit high-paying business/industries. The city can work with Killeen Chamber to give more incentives for small businesses to open business in the downtown Killeen area until infrastructure and resources are put in place for high paying businesses/industries.
Larry Smith
Debbie Nash-King
First, I would ensure that an audit is completed on the city budget. Second, I would read and research all policies and ordinances associated with the expenditure of funds to ensure that they are cost effective for taxpayers. Third, I believe the city should not spend money if it does not have the funds in the budget to pay for it. I would seek to ensure that monies are spent the way that the city says they will be spent. When taxpayers “see” improvements, this is the transparency effect.
My prior experiences as an Army commander for all dental clinics on Fort Hood taught me how to financially manage a large budget. My job was to review all requested funds from each department and ensure that the requested funds were needed to meet the mission of that particular clinic. In order to provide quality services for the residents of Killeen, I would request a financial report from the city manager each month to ensure that the city continues to stay within the budget at the current tax rate.
2017 ELECTION GUIDE
KILLEEN DAILY HERALD | SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 2017
A13
Unusually competitive races confront council candidates BY KYLE BLANKENSHIP KILLEEN DAILY HERALD
The Killeen City Council will see four unusually competitive races for its district seats May 6. The 13 candidates running for the four seats is the first time in
eight years that every district race has been competitive. Three of the seats are being contested by first-term incumbents: District 1 Councilwoman Shirley Fleming, District 3 Councilman Jim Kilpatrick and District 4 Councilman Brockley Moore.
Current District 2 Councilman Richard “Dick” Young announced in February he would not seek re-election. The candidates by district are: District 1: Fleming, Holly Teel and Kenny Wells District 2: Debbie Nash-King
and Larry Smith District 3: Kilpatrick, Pasty Bracey, Harold Butchart and Vantonio Fraley (write-in) District 4: Moore, Stanley Abrahams, Ralph Cossey Jr. and Steve Harris The candidates were asked
about their plans to tackle the rise in violent crime in Killeen, continuing to monitor the city’s fragile financial condition, acting transparently with Killeen residents and bringing high-paying jobs to Killeen. Here’s what they had to say.
KILLEEN CITY COUNCIL QUESTIONS
DISTRICT 3
Jim Kilpatrick
3) Assuming you have no additional money, what is your plan to attack Killeen’s violent crime concerns?
4) What are your top three priorities and how will you accomplish them?
5) What would you do to attract new businesses or industries that bring highpaying jobs to Killeen?
I would continue to review the current budget monthly and conduct monthly meetings with the city manager and executive finance director to discuss any questions/issues. If I still have questions I would take them to the council’s standing audit committee (three council members and the city auditor) for discussion and resolution. I would also request the mayor place the items of interest on the next scheduled council meeting or workshop for public awareness. As I am now, I will be available to all citizens to discuss all aspects of the budget status, the process and the policies.
I have managed budgets in excess of $27 million the last 27 years of federal government service, with numerous internal and external audits. I have always received outstanding comments and reviews on accountability and management of all funds. I did this not by “micromanagement” but by systematically checking and reviewing all transactions on a scheduled basis. I have used this method for the past 21 months on the City Council and played a major role in balancing our 2017 budget.
Violent crime generally stems from two major areas: Illegal drug-related activities and family violence. My opinion is both are related to economics. Increasing opportunity for good paying jobs with opportunities for upward mobility will assist us in lowering both. We have to be very proactive in advancing our economic growth in the near term. In addition we have to get the citizens involved in monitoring their neighbors and preventive reporting of suspicious activity, this will require more community event activity by the KPD.
Economic Development: develop comprehensive two-, fiveand eight-year market strategy plans to target what business is most suitable and have a high probability to locate in Killeen. Increase citizen involvement in government, volunteering, service to community and fighting crime: continue to find more venues to make citizens aware of community activities. Increase Senior/Youth activities and events: encourage city/ public partnerships to obtain more resources for more activities targeting seniors/youth. Continue to advance public transportation (the HOP) to get seniors/youths easy safe access to Parks/Recreation, shopping, activities/events, etc.
Target medical industry (research, technology, light and medium manufacturing, etc.) to compliment the 5 hospitals, 9 medical clinics, 3 Colleges/Universities in our immediate area to locate in the Killeen industrial park. Provide incentives, within our limited capabilities, to existing and new firms/companies which show growth each year in higher tech and skilled positions.
I would push for a full forensic audit (not a managerial audit), to learn who and why the decisions were made to overspend the city budget the previous three years in a row. I would affix blame, then take appropriate action to ensure this does not happen again with the full results of the forensic audit released publicly because it was the taxpayer’s money that was overspent and the taxpayers who paid for the audit. The dark hole and veil of secrecy in City Hall communications needs to be permanently eliminated for the good of all, to restore trust.
I was a senior Army Officer with great financial responsibility during many assignments overseas and in the U.S. and am a member of the Habitat for Humanity board of directors for six years.
The best way to address crime is change the existing leadership culture at the top by a new police chief, not from here and switch to modified community policing with manned storefronts and more police presence in high crime areas with the permanently assigned district officers on the same beats and with bicycles and out of their police cars actually speaking to and getting to know the citizens they serve. A functional crime lab would also help.
My priorities are better cooperation and interaction with the Fort Hood Command Structure. Recruitment of new industry in Killeen by development of the airport to compete with Austin and draw technology companies to develop at the airport and tax breaks and incentives to encourage industry to develop here. Killeen has one of the highest, if not the highest crime rates in Texas and a murder rate that is outrageous for a city of our size. Our traffic gridlock is caused by a lack of an experienced and dedicated full time city traffic engineer.
I would personally visit industrial CEOs and invite the other elected city representatives to do the same. If we don’t sell our own cities great economic and human potential — who will? Vote for a better Killeen and break from the past!
2) What experience do you have in financial management and how will you use that experience on the council?
Harold Butchart
1) As a council member, you have a responsibility to watch how taxpayers’ and utility ratepayers’ money is spent. How would you safeguard public funds in an objective and transparent way?
Vantonio Fraley
To safeguard the public funds, we have to first acknowledge that they are public funds and not personal funds, transparency has to be a most. Transparency includes not using language as a code, non-politicians and residents should be able to follow along with dialogue and comprehend the financial terms being used. As a councilman, we are in this position to make decisions that are best for our city and residences, not for personal or company gain. Making sure that our residents have knowledge of all decisions that need to be made and the outcome — these are a few ways.
The financial management experience I would draw from is when I was a part of the start-up of two sports programs. These experiences taught me that when working with a budget the whole staff and team has to be on board not just the CEO. If the coach doesn’t stick to the budget then it’s out the window — there was a lot of little unforeseen events to prepare; like if a player gets hurts and has to stay a night or two in the hospital in an away city, who would stay, how would we get home, and food.
Assuming that there is no additional funds my plan to attack the violent crime concerns of our residence , would look at using our local resources such as parks, community buildings, tracks, gyms, softball fields, bowling alleys, etc. Using these resources to equip, entertain and educate we can provide more options and support for our residences. We all know violence stems from lack or misuse of resources.
My top three priorities are: Reducing crime without locking up residents’ city support with youth practice, game facilities, and mentoring programs; transparency and community awareness.
I believe in order to get hiring paying industries in Killeen we have to cleanup Killeen, these higher paying industries and companies have a responsibility to their employees whom in most case are parents. As a parent before my family moves we look at the crime in the community, school ratings, local economy, and local leadership to name a few. However, in Killeen these are some of our troubled areas, our city has a lot of natural highlight already hence the large number of entrepreneurs here. To get these higher paying industries we need to Killeen up the little things.
Researching funds available for crime prevention, presenting these ideas to the council.
Top three priorities: Promote and improve the integrity and accountability of the city council and the city of Killeen as it related to citizen’s trust. Assist in researching resources funding available to the city for recruiting and maintain police, fire department and EMS. Establish sub-police stations in each district and possibly discouraging violence in the community.
First, we need to improve our vision as a city that offers stable employment by frequent job fairs. We must first do our marketing to see what jobs are available in the city and the requirements of those jobs. Relying on Fort Hood is not the answer now, due to the possibility of eliminating certain federal jobs.
As an elected City Council member, it will be my ethical responsibility to be a steward of the taxpayers’ money, assuring funds are dispersed according to Killeen city policies and procedures and analyzing all presentations for funding. No favors.
Patsy Bracey
Having a Certified Federal Funded Medicare Home Health agency, I learned the importance of assuring the government money provided care to the patients. This has given me a challenge and opportunity to handle large amounts of money.
A14
2017 ELECTION GUIDE
KILLEEN CITY COUNCIL QUESTIONS
DISTRICT 4
Brockley Moore
4) What are your top three priorities and how will you accomplish them?
5) What would you do to attract new businesses or industries that bring highpaying jobs to Killeen?
I will continue to be financially responsible, ethical and available 24/7 to the city manager, staff and citizens. We have included a transparency portal on the city website for review and read all financial documents before voting on any actions over $50,000. As your councilman, I have the experience and availability to meet with the city manager, finance director and internal auditor to evaluate the monthly and quarterly financial reports and briefings of the healthiness of the city. I have the accounting integrity and vision of the overlay projects to be aware of when we are at risk.
I have a bachelors in business degree, an additional 39 credit hours of business ethics/integrity and businessrelated courses that makes it clear when short term and long term projects overlay. I continue to refresh my knowledge and the effects of overall impacts of the city healthiness. As your councilman I had 100 percent attendance and am available, knowledgeable, dedicated, ethical to the city healthiness and operations. I am a thinker with the vision of the council and citizens’ vision in mind.
I have had two community meetings and one on one group with the internal chief of police to gain information on prevention and make citizens aware of the do’s and don’t. There are some universal hot points citizens must always keep in their mind about lighting, garage doors, locks, money left in cars and getting to know your neighbors and surrounding streets for normal behavior and activities. I will continue to educate, make aware and take action in neighborhoods.
Transportation (water, sewage, and improvement), SAFE: police, fire, children and seniors prevention, and financial responsibility.
Presently, I am on the EDC as a member. We have received the I-14 designation for 190. I would continue to assist the chamber and EDC as a team to bring in more businesses and industry-related employment.
Proper oversight and routine audits must be an organizational mandate. Effective program and project management is needed with protocols and change management all the way up and down the organizational chain. No one person or small group should have blind control over any finance without regular disclosure and progress reporting. Each year, the government takes just a little more of the family budget. The average Killeen family now pays more in taxes than ever before. A person on fixed income deserves remedies, alternatives, and discounts to keep them solvent.
I have work several years in financial positions through my adult life. Most recently I was hired as a financial analyst by a multi-billion dollar corporation. There I produced forecasts, reports, schedules and was instrumental in developing a logarithm to analyze financial data from several currencies into a common “reporting currency” to enable apples to apples comparison for sales and expense forecasting, budgeting, and reporting. I am relevant in the City of Killeen by being the sitting chair for the CDAC and Arts Commission. These organizations make recommendations to the City Council on grant applications for funding special programs.
Crime, in particular violent crime, has to be addressed in several ways, which are: crime prevention, law enforcement, and education. Crime prevention includes a fair but firm judicial process that dictates clear consequences to the crimes committed and shows our dedication of a “no-tolerance policy” towards violent criminal behavior. Law enforcement does not simply mean policing, but fairness and equality of the enforcement. To achieve that we need to honor our local hero’s in the low enforcement community by recognizing their sacrifices and duty.
Economic development, fiscal responsibility and sensible legislation that promotes growth in our city. I’m all about communication, process and quality control. I am pragmatic not emotional about these things. It must make sense, and not just be what we’ve always been doing.
If we are to attract large companies that will provide higher paying jobs, then we need to accomplish three things at the city and county level: 1. We need to adopt the latest in technologies to make city administration better and smarter. 2. We should continuously re-negotiate and build up our partnerships with the Army, and neighboring cities. 3. Strictly monitor funds used for EDD to achieve our desired goals.
3) Assuming you have no additional money, what is your plan to attack Killeen’s violent crime concerns?
2) What experience do you have in financial management and how will you use that experience on the council?
1) As a council member, you have a responsibility to watch how taxpayers’ and utility ratepayers’ money is spent. How would you safeguard public funds in an objective and transparent way?
Ralph Cossey
SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 2017 | KILLEEN DAILY HERALD
We need to create a balanced budget and stick to the budget by eliminating wasteful spending. In an effort to be transparent, we must establish annual audits similar to that required of corporations and report those audited financial statement to the public just as a publicly traded business would report to their shareholders.
My experience comes from the military as a logistics specialist where I was required to maintain budget and inventory.
We need to empower our citizens by creating neighborhood watches and developing a program to train citizens in self-defense.
1) Lower crime rate, but increasing neighborhood watch and work on building a solid foundational relationship between the citizens of the community and the first responders. 2) Balance the budget by eliminating wasteful spending, concentrating on key financial items that have the largest impact instead of focusing on things that make little financial difference in the community. 3) Bringing high paying jobs into the community. We need to create a plan that will attract larger companies into the area and create jobs.
First we need to lower the crime rate as businesses tend to avoid troublesome areas. We need to clean up downtown and work on infrastructure and traffic concerns.
My primary focus would be to find ways to maximize community and police/law enforcement cooperation; as, this would be the quickest and, possibly, the most financially feasible thing to implement time wise. I would work with the council to take a look into the monetary operations and spending practices of the city in general and the police department to determine if any modifications can be made in a way that does not result in any lay-offs.
My top three priorities are reinstating and maintaining financial responsibility and transparency, community safety and the balanced growth of business and community developments. Some of the ways I would work to implement the financial and safety aspect was mentioned earlier but in regards to the balance growth of businesses and community developments would involve doing my best to zone and preserve usable land that would attract and accommodate larger businesses. If we continue to zone so much of our land as housing or allow MUDs to exist in our ETJ then, we lessen the chances of having adequate space and locations.
Along with the aforementioned response of land zoning and preservation for larger businesses, I would talk to already existing small and larger businesses around in our area to find out why they did not come to Killeen and what things can be done to attract businesses their size. From there, I would consult with the city staff, the chamber and the EDC in giving them directions for what I would like for them to do to attract larger and better paying businesses.
Stanley Abrahams
Steve Harris
True and open dialogue and transparency from the city staff to the council, and from the council to the people is key. The immediate and/or timely availability (not months) of specific financial documents from the staff upon request would be one of my top priorities to implement. I would also look into modifying the amount that departments could spend without notifying the council to avoid spending loopholes. Anything that does not benefit the citizens of Killeen, in regards to spending utility revenues efficiently and responsibly will not be approved by me. Finally, citizens will have a say.
My personal financial experiences range from the following: personal budgeting experience; former head men’s/women’s cross country coach at the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor where I was responsible for writing budget proposals and the purchasing of athletic equipment and uniforms; small business which included managing books and paying taxes to the state of Texas; two years of serving on the city council from May 2013-15 in which the financial experience needed to identify responsible and irresponsible spending and financial proposals is present.
2017 ELECTION GUIDE
KILLEEN DAILY HERALD | SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 2017
BELTON ISD
LAMPASAS: School board responses FROM PAGE A9
LAMPASAS ISD
1) What do you think of Lampasas’ “closed campus” policy for student lunches? Do you think Lampasas would benefit from open lunches? Shahan: I think that the idea behind maintaining a closed campus is centered in student safety and
2) Lampasas ISD received an “F” for postsecondary readiness in a preliminary legislative report in January for the previous school year. What are some ways you think the district could improve in postsecondary readiness? Shahan: First of all, the A-F accountability rating system that has been forced upon Texas schools is fundamentally flawed. I strongly encourage you to research the system and read the negative reviews. On post-secondary readiness, the Completed CTE-Coherent Sequence of Courses was the area in which we received a low mark. This was based in a “misinterpreted” coding practice in our records keeping two years ago. This was identified and the Board began taking steps to-
ward remedying the error. We have also hired a new CTE-director to help us expand our courses which will have a positive impact on our students and our funding. Goodart: At this point I’m not sure about this opinion I’m going to say that I’m not sure what they look at to come to this conclusion. As a LISD board member if elected I will find out more about this issue. 3) How do you feel about the current state of the TAKS and STAAR testing in Lampasas and Texas as a whole? Shahan: I feel like most schools, including Lampasas, are doing the best we can with what we have been given. I am disappointed that normal daily instruction has evolved and is centered in preparation for one day of testing. But what else can be expected when our politicians have placed so much importance on those scores, mainly to justify funding levels? My opinion is that true accountability lies between the parents and the schools… unfortunately, I don’t see any changes coming anytime soon. Goodart: TAKS and STAAR testing I feel is not a good idea for our district and the all the districts in the state. It seems that the Teachers are teaching the children.just to pass these test. It’s not right that you have students that are making A’s and B’s throughout their school career and then they stress or panic over a test and have problems moving to the next grade level. This is why I feel that these test do not help our students. I feel these test should be eliminated.
FROM PAGE A9
new students over the next five years, bringing enrollment up to 12,982 in fall 2021. By 2026, the Templeton demographers anticipate Belton will have more than 14,600 students.
BELTON CITY COUNCIL
3) As a council member you would be responsible for overseeing taxpayers money the city budget. What in your financial experience will help you oversee and track the expenditures and revenue? Monroe: I have owned and operated a small business; I fully understand the need for realistic operating budgets and the necessity to adhere to constraints. While working at larger national companies, I made difficult choices to remain within my budget. I have had input to the city budget for the last seven years. While each city manager had a slightly different process, the end result was the same — transparency for the council and public. We have the best interest of the community in mind with every dollar spent, while making sure the city departments have the tools to do the best job possible for our city. Veazey: As a senior pastor for over 20 years I have managed budgets both small and large, making sure we are good stewards of the finances. I would expect to do no less with the financial budget of the city. I plan to be a good steward of the taxpayers’ dollars and I want to promote economic growth.
structure. Prior to the construction of the new high school, the campus had been open for lunches where most students could easily walk to a restaurant. Shahan Now, all students would have to drive a distance into town creating a large increase in traffic and also a crunch for time. After saying that, there is no doubt that restaurants would benefit from an open campus. However, I don’t think the pros out weigh the cons. Goodart: This is one of those issues that if it was up to the students they would say we want to be able to go hangout and eat wherever they want. But I feel that the schools offer up a good planned diet that that is most likely better off for our students.
A15
The Belton City Council election was canceled after only four candidates filed to run for the four at-large Belton Council seats open this year. Incumbents David K. Leigh, Craig Pearson and Dan Kirkley all filed to run for re-election in Belton. Financial adviser John Holmes, chairman of the Belton Planning and Zoning Commission, is the sole non-incumbent to file to run for the Council.
SALADO
Three at-large spots on the Salado board of aldermen are up for grabs May 6. Incumbents David Williams, Michael McDougal and Fred Brown have filed for re-election. Linda Reynolds, Andy Jackson, Christopher Tramel and Judy Fields
are also vying for the seats Salado residents will also decide if a large area of the village, including the Mill Creek area, can disannex. Currently there are about 2,130 residents in Salado, but that number could change if the measure for disannexation passes during the May 6 election. Some residents in the village are pushing to break away from the village government. Salado resident John Newman submitted a petition in February, requesting an election for the disannexation of a large portion of the village, including the Mill Creek area. Newman said the reason for the petition is because many residents believe they aren’t being represented. “The mayor and aldermen live in Mill Creek, so south Salado doesn’t have much of a voice,” Newman said. “With local government municipality, you have very little petition that you can go forward with. If we wanted to remove an individual, we can’t do that. This was our one option to affect change.”
HEIGHTS: 4 questions posed to candidates; bio information FROM PAGE A9
Terry, who is also a retired command sergeant major, have been residents of Harker Heights for the past 18 years and have a son and daughter in addition to two grandchildren. The Herald asked the candidates about their backgrounds, families and lengths of time in the city. It also posed four questions: (1) What makes you the best candidate for the Place 3 seat on the council? (2) What do you think are the biggest issues facing Harker Heights, (3) How would you view your role as an elected official and (4) What comments would you like to make concerning the growth of the city? Q: What makes you the best candidate for the Place 3 seat on the council? Christ: I would make the best candidate because of my deep understanding of city government: 17 years in city government, city council, planning and zoning commission, parks and recreation board plus 25 years continuous participation in the city’s athletic programs. Williamson-McElhiney: I have had extensive involvement and experience in the city and have the public’s interest at heart. I am dedicated to the people of this city and pledge to help it keep the rural feel while growing into a big city. I have the dedication, motivation and time to give to the citizens of Harker Heights. Fountain: I would make the best candidate because my duty as garrison command sergeant major brought me face to face with hundreds of challenges facing a small town. Dealing with those challenges has prepared me to help Harker Heights face the future.
challenges and maintaining public safety. Q: How would you view your role as an elected official? Christ: I would view my role as a decision maker, team member, and representative of the people. I know the role of an elected official and have successfully served the citizens of Harker Heights for over 25 years. Williamson-McElhiney: There needs to be balance in the council and I can be that balance. Someone needs to pay attention and look out for the interests, values and opinions of the public. I can provide an honest vision and trust with the community. Fountain: I view my role as an elected official as a representative of the resident’s interest and values. Q: What comments would you like to make concerning the growth of the city?
Christ: I think our growth is at a good pace and honestly we have little control of how it grows. If you look back over the past 4-5 years, the growth level has tapered off in the number of building permits for commercial and residential. There is a limited space for the city to grow and we will have to plan wisely to utilize it. That may mean some may have to be single-family dwellings while others are multiple family dwellings plus other requirements for commercial. Eventually, we may have to annex some of the property in the Extra Territorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) using the agreements we’ve had with Belton, Nolanville and other cities. We want to continue to do the things that keep the city as good a place to live as we can. Williamson-McElhiney: I think that if we continue to progress Q: What do you think are the three bigwithout thinking into the future, we’ll gest issues facing Harker Heights? be backed up like (U.S. Highway) 190 in Copperas Cove. Knights Way (FM 2410) is Christ: becoming a problem and we must keep The three biggest issues are: growth, up with our infrastructure. I want us to planning and building the community. grow into a beautiful city and continue Williamson-McElhiney: to hold on to what we have now! We don’t Overpopulation versus infrastrucwant to look like Rancier does now in ture, where our tax dollars are going Killeen. If I look to the east of the high and budget transparency, plus excessive school on FM 2410, I see some evidence building affecting the camaraderie of the of what Rancier looked like 25 years ago community. and we don’t want to look like that in the Fountain: years to come. My other concern is that Maintaining and increasing the value we need to address the safety of the high of homes and businesses, continuing school kids as they cross 2410 and other work by the City to alleviate our drainage streets near Harker Heights High.
Fountain: The pace of the growth in Harker Heights seems acceptable to me. We don’t seem to be out of sync in handling the varieties of expansion that come our way on a daily basis. It’s for our own good, however, that we always be aware as to what may be too fast or slow. Our major source of input should be the residents of this city and com-
mit ourselves to their trust as we try to make the right decisions concerning the issue of growth in the future.
EARLY VOTING
Early voting begins April 24 at City Hall, 305 Miller’s Crossing. Hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 24, 26-28 and May 2. On April 25 and May 1, early voting is from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
A16
2017 ELECTION GUIDE
SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 2017 | KILLEEN DAILY HERALD