HSCIN II
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THIS is insulting. This is the transcript from Bill Veitch's interview in 2007.
Bill Veitch
Smith: Anything he would like to say: He has no statement.
Smith: If you go for another term what would he like to accomplish:
Veitch: Same reason he would like to be reappointed. Five years ago there were come difficult times. Discipline issues, the rezoning of schools at Simmons which would have affected Green Valley, Trace Crossings and part of Bluff Park. Many times he was the one against four when a vote was taken. He felt the Board has turned the corner. He felt we have always had a good system but he feels it will be better and he would like to be here to see it happen and be a part of it.
Smith: What are your strengths?
Veitch: He feels he brings common sense to board. He has courage to do what he feels is right and do it in a civil way. He feels he can get along with most people. He shows up to the meetings. He has a commitment to attend and conduct meetings with civility.
Morrison: Having been on board for five years you has more experience, how will this be helpful:
Veitch: He felt there is a learning curve. It took a year for him to understand all the terminology. He has seen some contentious times as well and he feels he can better deal with these now. He feels he has learned some lessons in this respect. He has also learned what not to do.
Morrison: Any consideration for long term planning:
Veitch: He stated they function in a way that the Supt. will present a plan and the Board will vote yes or no. He does not want to micro manage the school system. His vision is to have excellence in everything. He wants the best academics as well as the best sports program. He wants to build the whole child. He stated they have not been presented with specific building plans. He felt that they are getting better in every area. He would like to give kids more choices, i.e. a great drama program.
Morrison: Do you envision any partnership with City?
Veitch: He stated they have talked about this. They are two separate entities but with the same goal. What is good for one is usually good for the other. He does not see us as opposed. There may be a disagreement as to how to implement something but this goes back to being civil. There is no need for City and Board to argue. He felt they should be able to partner for the good of both.
Lott: One thing comes up over and over that communication is not good between board and citizens. How are you going to improve this?
Veitch: He stated he does not know of anyone that he has refused to let speak at a board meeting. He felt a better job could be done publicizing the positive things they have done. He felt there is a fine line and the press and public wants to know everything the Board does. Discussing law suits, good name and character must be done in executive
session as told to do so by their atty. He stated they have only met in exec session five times in five years. A childs disciplinary session is always done in exec session. He wished that public information needs to be more proactive. He felt the public would feel better if they knew more about the particulars. In most instances the public would be ecstatic about the state of the schools.
Skelton: What is best trait of board member?
Veitch: He feels that common sense would be most important. You can be high school graduate or Rhodes Scholar and if you work well with the other Board members, you are willing to listen to other members and willing to compromise, be committed to being there and willing to compromise you would be a good Board member. He feels that he has this trait.
Skelton: Do you feel the board works better now than in the past.
Veitch: He felt the board represents many areas, opinions, personalities, and places in life. This board has not totally agreed on anything but they are willing to talk and listen and they are courteous and willing to work together. He felt they all have the best interest of the kids. They just come from different backgrounds and experiences. This is a more proactive and involved Board. He did not feel they should ever go back to what they had. He felt he has sown some seeds and he would like to see them “come up”
Wright: City Council expanded to seven members whom he felt was a good idea. Would it be good to expand school board?students and community. He does not feel that many of these people are necessarily mean but they have had their feelings hurt and are not being listened to. They do not know any other way to respond.
Smith: How doe you envision system getting better?
Veitch: He has two theories of thought. There are newsletters, pamphlets and emails go out. They advertise events and about what is going on. He has a theory about parental involvement. During the talk about rezoning there was a lot of parent involvement. Most parents like the system and they are proud to say they kids attend Hoover schools. You hear from parents are not happy about something. We do need to be more proactive, but other than hiring someone to email everyone in the city to inform parents about meetings, he felt that people are aware of the biggest part of what is going on. He felt that most parents that are interested are active. Most are happy with system. He felt people do and go to things they are interested in.
Smith: Does he hear from teachers that they wished for more parental participation?
Veitch: He stated he has not heard this lately. May have heard this a couple of times when rezoning issue was being discussed.
Veitch: He stated he had not thought of this. He felt the Council has a more contentious job with various issues that must be worked with. He stated he would not be opposed to it. He stated he would not want to be President again.
What are you thoughts on Zero tolerance:
Veitch: Thanks for questions. Five years ago when this started what was in the policy was the way it was with no deviation. He was on the wrong end of many 4 – 1 votes because he does not feel that one size fits all. There are some things that must be zero tolerance such as bringing a gun or knife to school. He did feel that having a shirttail out which calls for a mandatory minimum punishments, he felt you must look at record of student. Judges do this and do not rule in a vacuum. He has not seen the revised discipline manual. There has to be rules but common sense must be applied. He has zero tolerance for some things and tolerance for others.
Negative connotation goes along with being on the Board. How has this past term affected his family and could it affect his children:
Veitch: He stated there are some well meaning people that criticize any decision. There are those that have personal agendas and would destroy anyone that gets in their way. These people do not mention the best interest of the children. His wife had to endure a political campaign. She was also interviewed by Gov. Riley. There was much negativity on that end. She felt and stated she was the best person for the position she was seeking and she was going to do what was necessary and the right thing to do. Otherwise we are left with at whimp. He stated this has affected him and he has had emails and articles have been written that hurt. He also gets encouragement from coworkers, teachers,
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2010 Board of Education Candidate Interviews (Read 8034 times)
