Editor’s Note: Submissions appear as the candidates submitted them without editing.Candidates are listed in alphabetical order. Except where noted, questionnaires are only being published for contested races.

Dr. Michael A. Dankovich

• AGE: 38

• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: 1988 New Castle Chrysler High School

1993 Bachelor of Science Optometry – Indiana University

1995 Doctor of Optometry – Indiana University

• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Adjunct Clinical Faculty Indiana University; 8 year member of National Board of Examiners of Optometry; Past President Southeastern Indiana Optometric Society; 15 year member of American Optometric Association; 15 year member of Indiana Optometric Association; Volunteer Optometrist Clark County Family Health Center

• FAMILY NOTES: Wife Kristy- homemaker, active volunteer at Georgetown Elementary and Highland Hills Middle School. Daughter Ashley – 6th grade Highland Hills Middle School. Daughter Megan – 4th grade Georgetown Elementary. Attend Northside Christian Church – 10 years. Member of Dayspring Emmaus Community

1) Why are you running for this position?

“I am a parent. I have a vested interest in the New Albany/Floyd County schools with two daughters currently enrolled in the school system.

“I believe in public education. Hearing concerns of other parents, teachers, and administrators, I can evaluate these issues and make good decisions based on the welfare of the students. I believe in ethics and making the correct moral decisions. I hold teachers and administrators in the highest regard.

“During the school year they spend more time with the children than the parents. This makes them critical to the development of our children academically, socially, and molds their character for the future. I will ensure they have every tool necessary to provide these students with the best education possible. Our children are the future leaders in our communities. As a School Board member, I believe that I can make a difference. I can provide a voice for all those involved in the highest quality education each student deserves.”

2) What is the most important issue facing this position and what is your plan to resolve it?

“I believe there are two major issues that the school board must balance. Fiscal responsibility with tax revenue and teacher/student class size ratios is critical to quality education. With a projected shortfall in 2009 and 2010, all expenditures must be weighed and delegated wisely. The school board must use these funds for the best interest of our teachers and students. Each teacher has the highly demanding job of teaching large class sizes within the current budget. Although maximum class sizes are delegated by state law, there are many ways to utilize resources for individual attention that each student deserves. State and federal grants, student teachers, teaching assistants, team teaching, and parents volunteers can provide assistance. All avenues must be explored and all concerns must be heard in evaluating the difficult decisions that the school board will face in regards to our future budget.”

3) What unique contribution will you make to this board?

“I will provide a voice of character and ethics in the tough decisions that the school board must make. My background as a healthcare provider brings me into contact with many people throughout the day. Each person brings a specific problem to me in which I must provide a solution. Listening skills and problem solving are my strengths. A current issue that a few teachers have brought to my attention recently is the expense of healthcare. While healthcare is expensive for everyone, all alternatives must be examined to ensure the best healthcare at the lowest price for school employees. I believe that I can provide insight in the process of evaluating the multiple bids that are presented yearly to the school system. As a parent, I want the best for not only my children, but for all children and teachers of Floyd County.”

4) Have you ever been convicted of a non-traffic court crime in the United States? If so, please explain all relevant instances.

“No.”

READER-SUBMITTED QUESTIONS

Gov. Daniels' plan would eliminate property tax by increasing sales tax as a source of revenue for the general fund of schools. Since school corporations would therefore rely predominantly on state support, what effect might this have on school finance and what will be your priorities when forced to make any cuts?

“Cuts are difficult no matter what the circumstances. unfortuately, they are going to become a reality. All alternatives must be examined prior to any decision to reduce funding for a specific program. I will have no preconceved opinions until all parties concerned are heard. my opinion will be based on the welfare of the student first.”

It seems that some local school boards have become increasingly involved in the day-to-day operation of schools. Do you feel that is an appropriate direction for a board to be moving in, or should it function more as an advisory body?

“The function of the school board should only be an advisory board. Day-to-day operations should be left to the well qualified administrators and teachers. Once the school board gets involved in the daily activites of running a school, it undermines the authority of those directly involved with the students.”

What do you plan to do to increase your school corporation's overall high school graduation rate?

”According to the U.S. Census Bureau, graduation rates in the state of indiana hover between 85%-90% within the past few years. Although this is very good compared to the national aveage, 10%-15% of the students in indiana still drop out of high school. We are still losing too many students. intervention early on when a student is in academic trouble is the key to decreasing to drop out rate. attendence, academic performance and standardized testing should indicate which students need help.”

Neal Smith

• AGE: 54

• EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS: B.A. In English - Ius

M.A. In Health Services Mgmt - Webster University

• CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: 29 Years In Healthcare Planning And Marketing, Customer Satisfaction Researchand Performance Improvement Implementation And Research; Retired As Part Owner In Deyta, Llc, A Louisville-Based Performance Improvement Research Company. Current Owner Of White Oak Management Services, Llc, A Company Offering Guardianship And Estate Management Services.

• FAMILY NOTES: Married, five grown children.

1) Why are you running for this position?

“To continue to insure the availability of high quality education for our community's children. Would also like to stay involved in many initiatives that were begun during my current term as school board member, including the floyd central renovation.”

2) What is the most important issue facing this position and what is your plan to resolve it?

“At the time of this writing the teachers' contract is the hottest issue. Our excellent teachers are at the heart of excellent education and I am anxious to settle a contract that is fair for the teachers and financially responsible for the community. Beyond that, containing costs in light of property tax reform while still maintaining excellent student services.”

3) What unique contribution will you make to this board?

“As an experienced school board member, I have a good perspective on what's required for the position. Also, with experience in customer satisfaction and performance improvement work, I look forward to playing a key role in initiatives for enhancing the customer service oriented culture in our school system.”

4) Have you ever been convicted of a non-traffic court crime in the United States? If so, please explain all relevant instances. “No.”

READER-SUBMITTED QUESTIONS:

Gov. Daniels' plan would eliminate property tax by increasing sales tax as a source of revenue for the general fund of schools. Since school corporations would therefore rely predominantly on state support, what effect might this have on school finance and what will be your priorities when forced to make any cuts?

“The NAFC schools currently have committees looking for better ways to use existing resources — but we are going to have to take a very serious look at such things as redistricting (using the existing schools in the most efficient manner possible), holding the line on pay and benefit increases to a reasonable and affordable level, and in being absolutely certain that we are spending the taxpayers' money as prudently as possible in our projects and programs. Our challenge will be to contain costs but still continue to offer children a superior education in our public schools.”

It seems that some local school boards have become increasingly involved in the day-to-day operation of schools. Do you feel that is an appropriate direction for a board to be moving in, or should it function more as an advisory body?

“Being a board member isn't easy, and often you have to do a lot of fact-finding to form a position on an issue. This can involve talking to a lot of the key players in the operation and administration of schools as well as parents, teachers and other groups. Fact-finding and participation in school events in the normal role of a board member should be the extent of involvement in day-to-day operations, though. I feel strongly that the board is a policy-making body that should keep an open eye, open ear and open mind on what's going on but shouldn't meddle in day-to-day operations without good cause.”

What do you plan to do to increase your school corporation's overall high school graduation rate?

“I think our schools do an excellent job in preparing our children for graduation from high school. However, I know there is room for improvement. I really believe that closer attention to students at risk for dropping out need closer attention early on in their high school careers. Some programs such as enhanced personal improvement plans for at risk students and the migration to true curriculum mapping stand out as exciting and effective strategies to improve graduation rates. I believe these programs are at the heart of making a real difference and look forward to their implementation over the next few years.”