Dexter Sullivan
Dexter Sullivan, BOE district 7 candidate
Post seeking: Board of Education, District 7 (at-large)
Career/occupation:
Human Resources Manager for large contract packaging facility in Statham, GA
Describe your background:
I was born in Simpsonville, South Carolina a small township outside of Greenville with a strong sense of family and community. After high school I attended Norfolk State University (Norfolk, VA) where I received my B.A. in Political Science/Pre-law. After college I decided that it was important to serve my country and served in the United States Army as a Legal Specialist; where I was able to see the country and the world. After leaving the military I received my M.A. in Human Resources Development (Management) from Webster University (St. Louis, MO). I moved to Winder in 2003 and I have been an active member of the community. I have coached several youth sports with our recreation department, and I am a current board member of Barrow County Competitive Youth Athletics (BCCYA).
•If the E-SPLOST referendum fails, will you vote for a property tax increase to service the school system’s debt?
I am against raising taxes on an already burdened community. However, if the E-SPLOST (1% sales tax placed on the goods and services that are purchased within Barrow County not just by citizens but those who pass through our county and do business here) referendum fails it would mean that I haven’t done my due diligence in explaining the impact to both taxpayers and students.
I would like for the voters to understand that voting “Yes” on E-SPLOST would extend the current E-SPLOST and continue to pay the current debts that the school system has accumulated. Most importantly, if the debt is not paid with E-SPLOST funds - Georgia Law would require an increase in property taxes. This increase would result in properties of $200,000 paying an additional $440 in ad valorem taxes (property tax). The Board of Education (BOE) must collectively provide alternative solutions for dealing with this debt or unfortunately, taxes will increase, so that debts are paid and schools can continue providing a quality education for our children.
•What are your plans to deal with budget constraints in a way that will preserve quality instruction for Barrow students?
I had the opportunity to attend some of the more recent BOE meetings and heard budgetary discussions that were centered on our current budget constraints. I witnessed the current board labor over the best way to cut costs and manage our bottom line. The BOE specifically had to make tough decisions regarding funding state insurance for BOE employees or cut transportation for children who live within 1.5 miles of their school. While I firmly believe that we must be responsible for managing our bottom line we must also look at new and creative ways to increase the funds coming into our school system. I would recommend that we invest in a grant writer to assist in finding and writing grants to provide new sources of funding for our schools. Another would be to partner with large corporations and small businesses to not only provide monetary contributions for technology and facilities but to also partner in enhancing the classroom experience by providing real world experiences and life lessons – an investment in the future workforce. Ideas such as these will provide a level of relief for our already strained budget but also provide our students with opportunity and options as they progress through school and life. We have to begin looking at new and different ways to meet and exceed our community’s educational goals.
•What are the three biggest issues that Barrow County Schools must address over the next five years?
1) Budget – We are facing unprecedented economic challenges in Barrow County and throughout the world. One of the toughest battles is preparing our schools to maintain a budget that not only addresses the needs of our schools today but the needs of our schools in the future. Managing our budget is a key in remaining responsible to the taxpayers, our students and teachers.
2) Retention/Recruitment/Cutting Edge Technology – Retaining our current teaching staff is an essential component that must be a concern for our school board. Each time we recruit a new staff member they must not only adjust to the new school and new students but also the culture of the community. Retention of our current teaching professionals allows continuity in the growth and training of our students. Teaching professionals are attracted to school districts that have the ability to retain its employees. During the recruiting process we must be sure that we bring in teaching professionals that are of the highest integrity and who are driven to learn and stay-up-to-date with the latest technology trends. Traditional classrooms are changing, so we must be prepared to change the way we communicate and teach. We must also be staffed in a way that will prepare our children for the fast emerging trends and global competition.
3) Active Participation – Children with active parents have achieved more inside and outside the classroom. As the world becomes more attracted, to the “Next Big Thing” and the fast paced growth of technology, it is important that we encourage interaction and family participation in the community and schools to preserve the values that we hold dear.
Human Resources Manager for large contract packaging facility in Statham, GA
Describe your background:
I was born in Simpsonville, South Carolina a small township outside of Greenville with a strong sense of family and community. After high school I attended Norfolk State University (Norfolk, VA) where I received my B.A. in Political Science/Pre-law. After college I decided that it was important to serve my country and served in the United States Army as a Legal Specialist; where I was able to see the country and the world. After leaving the military I received my M.A. in Human Resources Development (Management) from Webster University (St. Louis, MO). I moved to Winder in 2003 and I have been an active member of the community. I have coached several youth sports with our recreation department, and I am a current board member of Barrow County Competitive Youth Athletics (BCCYA).
•If the E-SPLOST referendum fails, will you vote for a property tax increase to service the school system’s debt?
I am against raising taxes on an already burdened community. However, if the E-SPLOST (1% sales tax placed on the goods and services that are purchased within Barrow County not just by citizens but those who pass through our county and do business here) referendum fails it would mean that I haven’t done my due diligence in explaining the impact to both taxpayers and students.
I would like for the voters to understand that voting “Yes” on E-SPLOST would extend the current E-SPLOST and continue to pay the current debts that the school system has accumulated. Most importantly, if the debt is not paid with E-SPLOST funds - Georgia Law would require an increase in property taxes. This increase would result in properties of $200,000 paying an additional $440 in ad valorem taxes (property tax). The Board of Education (BOE) must collectively provide alternative solutions for dealing with this debt or unfortunately, taxes will increase, so that debts are paid and schools can continue providing a quality education for our children.
•What are your plans to deal with budget constraints in a way that will preserve quality instruction for Barrow students?
I had the opportunity to attend some of the more recent BOE meetings and heard budgetary discussions that were centered on our current budget constraints. I witnessed the current board labor over the best way to cut costs and manage our bottom line. The BOE specifically had to make tough decisions regarding funding state insurance for BOE employees or cut transportation for children who live within 1.5 miles of their school. While I firmly believe that we must be responsible for managing our bottom line we must also look at new and creative ways to increase the funds coming into our school system. I would recommend that we invest in a grant writer to assist in finding and writing grants to provide new sources of funding for our schools. Another would be to partner with large corporations and small businesses to not only provide monetary contributions for technology and facilities but to also partner in enhancing the classroom experience by providing real world experiences and life lessons – an investment in the future workforce. Ideas such as these will provide a level of relief for our already strained budget but also provide our students with opportunity and options as they progress through school and life. We have to begin looking at new and different ways to meet and exceed our community’s educational goals.
•What are the three biggest issues that Barrow County Schools must address over the next five years?
1) Budget – We are facing unprecedented economic challenges in Barrow County and throughout the world. One of the toughest battles is preparing our schools to maintain a budget that not only addresses the needs of our schools today but the needs of our schools in the future. Managing our budget is a key in remaining responsible to the taxpayers, our students and teachers.
2) Retention/Recruitment/Cutting Edge Technology – Retaining our current teaching staff is an essential component that must be a concern for our school board. Each time we recruit a new staff member they must not only adjust to the new school and new students but also the culture of the community. Retention of our current teaching professionals allows continuity in the growth and training of our students. Teaching professionals are attracted to school districts that have the ability to retain its employees. During the recruiting process we must be sure that we bring in teaching professionals that are of the highest integrity and who are driven to learn and stay-up-to-date with the latest technology trends. Traditional classrooms are changing, so we must be prepared to change the way we communicate and teach. We must also be staffed in a way that will prepare our children for the fast emerging trends and global competition.
3) Active Participation – Children with active parents have achieved more inside and outside the classroom. As the world becomes more attracted, to the “Next Big Thing” and the fast paced growth of technology, it is important that we encourage interaction and family participation in the community and schools to preserve the values that we hold dear.
Trackbacks
Trackback specific URI for this entry
No Trackbacks