- Accountability and High Standards – Not Political Rhetoric
- Responsibility and Cost/Benefit Analysis
- Experience for Better Schools
Welcome!
Hello and thank you for visiting my website.
Our entire Country is facing a financial crisis unprecedented since the Great Depression. As a result school districts everywhere are facing diminishing resources while being asked to improve education for our children. Society’s desire for public school accountability has reached an historical high and there is no question that accountability measures and standards are necessary to ensure better schools and improve student achievement. To that end school district policies, practices and programs must be based not upon political rhetoric but genuine concern for each and every child, taking into consideration their level of development and their ability to learn which includes the support and environment of each child’s home.
More than three years ago when I sought election to the School Board of Brevard County, I advocated the line-by-line analysis of the budget relative to the effectiveness of each program. During the selection process for our new superintendent I continued to impart that philosophy to the candidates. While our new superintendent has been on the job for less than a year, I am happy to report that this process has begun. Fiscal responsibility is practiced by analyzing the costs and benefits of the various instructional programs, support programs and student services so that successful programs are continued while funds for less successful programs and services are redirected to better serve our students. As a former school principal and district superintendent, I have first hand experience with developing and implementing programs which have significantly increased student performance without adding additional financial burdens to the community and I pledge to continue to keep a watchful eye on school district expenditures.
An example of such fiscal responsibility involves the issue of student boundary changes. The population of Brevard County has shifted south resulting in over-enrollment of several school buildings while leaving empty seats in the central and north areas of the County. In our current financial crisis, building new schools is not an option and the law requires that we speedily adjust our enrollments so that no school building is over capacity. To that end school officials have worked diligently with parents and community leaders to determine the least painful adjustments to student attendance boundaries but the School Board of Brevard County is charged with making the final decision based upon that which is best for the students and Brevard County as an entirety. Such is a difficult and painful decision which must be made regardless of personal bias or political considerations.
The business of educating thousands of children is very complex and filled with challenges. Mark Twain once said that, “For every complex problem, there is a simple solution... that won’t work.” Education today is facing serious challenges and needs serious people to help meet those challenges. I have the experience and knowledge to understand the current financial and redistricting issues which are before the board and the demonstrated courage to challenge political rhetoric. I will continue to formulate my opinions and base my decisions on that which is in the best interest of Brevard’s children and the Brevard County community.
I invite you to click through the sections of this website to learn more about me as well as how to better deal with your child’s school.
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your School Board of Brevard County representative for District Two this past term. I hope that you will continue to place your trust in me.
Barbara Murray