Candidates for the Oconee County Board of Education participated in a forum Wednesday, June 4 at the Oconee County Library. The event was sponsored by Citizens for Oconee’s Future, Citizens for South Oconee County, Friends of Barber Creek, Friends of the Apalachee and Oconee Citizens for Responsible Growth.
Moderated by Charles Baugh of Citizens for Oconee’s Future, the forum featured questions posed to nearly all Board of Education candidates: David Weeks (Chairman), Mack Guest and Ryan House (Post 2), Carter Brank and Ashley Hood (Post 3), Mike Hunter and Chuck Toney (Post 4) and Tom Breedlove and Rich Clark (Post 5).
Unable to attend were Kim Argo (Post 3) and Kyle Martin (Post 5), but both sent representatives for their campaigns. Argo was represented by daughter Alicea Flanagan and Martin was represented by Dr. John Glisson.
The first question of the evening was whether or not the candidates would consider randomly drug testing students involved in extra-curricular activities. Weeks, running unopposed for the position of Chairman, was the first to answer.
“If we were going to think about that, why focus just on those in extra-curricular activities?” asked Weeks.
Hunter, Brank and Guest echoed Weeks’ position that any decision to drug test should apply to everyone. Guest added that “someone has to pay” for any drug-testing.
When asked to respond to this year’s drop in CRCT test scores, Weeks replied that “regardless of what’s going on at the state level throwing out scores, we still need to find out why these scores dropped and correct the problem.”
Breedlove and Clark both noted recent curriculum changes as possible factors, but both made suggestions to improve scores. Breedlove placed emphasis on parent communication and Clark suggested “attacking math rather than attacking the test.”
An audience member also asked the candidates to describe their experience in education. Glisson (on behalf of Martin) said that Martin had taught high school and college classes and served on school councils. Clark pointed out his career at UGA as well as seven years teaching Sunday School.
Breedlove admitted that he does not have a background in education, but stressed that he has an open mind. Toney said he taught two years of freshman English at Clemson University and that he has learned a lot from his wife, a teacher. Hunter cited his experience working with faculty and staff at UGA as well as managing educational facilities.
Hood explained that she taught second grade for one year and that both her husband and father-in-law are professors. Brank described his experience as a first grade Sunday School teacher and teaching law enforcement classes. Flanagan (on behalf of Argo) said that Argo is an Assistant Principal at Youth Middle School in Walton County with 31 years in education.
House told the audience that he teaches In-School Suspension in Barrow County and has also been a paraprofessional. Guest mentioned two years of coaching experience and one year of teaching experience. Weeks said that while he has no education degrees, he thinks his business background brings diversity to the Board.
Regarding charter schools, most candidates took a cautious approach.
“I would question why we need it as one of the top school systems in the state,” said Hunter. “I might consider a charter system.”
Toney, Hunter’s opponent, expressed a similar view.
“I’m not convinced we need it because I think we’re serving our students at that level now,” Toney said. “I am intrigued by the idea of a charter system.”
Breedlove said he is in favor of charter schools because they give options. Clark said his position is close to those of Hunter and Toney. Brank and Hood did not express as much interest, but were non-committal.
“I would need to examine the reasons and the motivation of a charter school to be able to make a definitive answer,” stated Brank.
“I’m for anything that’s going to benefit the students,” said Hood. “Would we be spending more per child at a charter school? I want to know how a charter school would benefit the whole county.”
The candidates also faced questions on hiring the next superintendent, motivating average students, moving the Board of Education headquarters, Social Security, teacher salaries, the role of board members, single-gender classrooms, banning books and teaching creationism.
Mike Sprayberry is a reporter for The Oconee Leader. He can be reached at 706-310-1104 or by email at
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