Mia Munn for School Board

[Snowball]

I think there is some concern over a perceived bias towards charter schools.

No bias at all on my part. Charter schools are just a different ballgame. They don't answer to a district school board.

No bias? You just can't get past that charter school thing, can you?

BTW, I think each charter school has it's own board and charter schools still fall under the jurisdiction of the NC Department of Public Instruction. Mia?

Your're correct, whatsup, about charter schools reporting to their own boards. Please note that in my earlier post, I said "district wide" school board. That's 17 schools in Chatham.

[whatsup]

I think there is some concern over a perceived bias towards charter schools.

No bias at all on my part. Charter schools are just a different ballgame. They don't answer to a district school board.

No bias? You just can't get past that charter school thing, can you?

BTW, I think each charter school has it's own board and charter schools still fall under the jurisdiction of the NC Department of Public Instruction. Mia?

Your're correct, whatsup, about charter schools reporting to their own boards. Please note that in my earlier post, I said "district wide" school board. That's 17 schools in Chatham.

And why exactly is that a concern or a problem?

[Mike Duckwall]

We'll vote for her again.
Duck and Greta

[mountain gal]

No hidden agendas, folks. I'm just trying to get a bead on the candidate's length and intensity of public school teaching experience. I hope to receive a clear answer to that question.  It's important to me that someone who aspires to help run a school system has more than a few months of experience within one. It's certainly not my sole criteria for a vote.

Kathie Russell is a lawyer. You think she taught in a public school?  If I am not mistaken, McManus has a medical background.  Jack Wilkie was a business man.  Col. Totten was retired military/business man.  Teaching/assisting/working in a public school has never been a criteria, so I still can't figure out why it is relevant of Mia.  If you will look at the history of Board Members - anyone directly involved in the classroom would be a very SMALL percentage.  Your post is making it sound that if they can't bring "length and intensity of public school teaching experience" that they should not be considered.  Is it a fact of public vs. charter?  If so, you better pick another battle - you won't fare very well if that is your call for Mia to document her public school employment.

[Snowball]

I think there is some concern over a perceived bias towards charter schools.

No bias at all on my part. Charter schools are just a different ballgame. They don't answer to a district school board.

No bias? You just can't get past that charter school thing, can you?

BTW, I think each charter school has it's own board and charter schools still fall under the jurisdiction of the NC Department of Public Instruction. Mia?

Your're correct, whatsup, about charter schools reporting to their own boards. Please note that in my earlier post, I said "district wide" school board. That's 17 schools in Chatham.

And why exactly is that a concern or a problem?

It's a concern because a private or charter school has only one school-based board to whom they report and to whom they are accountable. That's very different from a board who has to take into consideration thousands of students at 17 schools.  Issues are bigger and far more complex. I have asked a question of a potential candidate regarding her breadth and depth of teaching experience. It is up to the candidate to decide whether she will respond, and that's appropriate. This is my last post on the subject.

[whatsup]

Issues are bigger and far more complex. I have asked a question of a potential candidate regarding her breadth and depth of teaching experience. It is up to the candidate to decide whether she will respond, and that's appropriate. This is my last post on the subject.

Are you sure you have no hidden agendas?

It really might be nice if you placed as much interest in the current school board race going on right now.

Have you asked any of the current candidates (including incumbents) for the school board race these questions?

I guess it is up to you if you want to ask current candidates any questions.

But I guess we will never know since this was your last post on the school board subject.

[mountain gal]

I think there is some concern over a perceived bias towards charter schools.

No bias at all on my part. Charter schools are just a different ballgame. They don't answer to a district school board.

No bias? You just can't get past that charter school thing, can you?

BTW, I think each charter school has it's own board and charter schools still fall under the jurisdiction of the NC Department of Public Instruction. Mia?

Your're correct, whatsup, about charter schools reporting to their own boards. Please note that in my earlier post, I said "district wide" school board. That's 17 schools in Chatham.

And why exactly is that a concern or a problem?

It's a concern because a private or charter school has only one school-based board to whom they report and to whom they are accountable. That's very different from a board who has to take into consideration thousands of students at 17 schools.  Issues are bigger and far more complex. I have asked a question of a potential candidate regarding her breadth and depth of teaching experience. It is up to the candidate to decide whether she will respond, and that's appropriate. This is my last post on the subject.

Be honest - it has nothing to do with her teaching credentials.  I think whatever her answer would be - it would not matter to you except to try and discredit her.  Since you will no longer post on this subject, then I guess there is no need to respond.  But, that too would be used against her.

But you know what, I would not know Mia if she walked up in my yard.  What I do know is that she has gone above and beyond for quite awhile to keep the general public on this board aware of what is happening with the current school board/administration.  People have asked questions and she took personal time to find answers.  She took personal time to attend meetings.  She took personal time to care.  So..........by all means, somebody who cares enough to give up personal time for nothing money-wise, then I say it is time to put Mia where she is most effective - on the board.  I personally do not care if she ever taught one day in the public school system.  Instead of questioning her about her public school experience, why don't you ask her why she feels qualified, what knowledge she could bring to the board room and what she hopes to contribute?

[artymarty]

wow, I guess you all love Mia and I sure see why you respect her but talk about piling on.  I don't know if there's a history here or what but it looks like a voter was trying to get a little more info so he or she could make a decision on the candidate and you guys are acting like he was talking smack about her mama.

[Patty52]

wow, I guess you all love Mia and I sure see why you respect her but talk about piling on.  I don't know if there's a history here or what but it looks like a voter was trying to get a little more info so he or she could make a decision on the candidate and you guys are acting like he was talking smack about her mama.

Some days this board is like a mine field. I imagine you are right about the history of something somewhere, but I don't know what it is and the questions seemed okay to me. And it seemed liked piling on to me, too.

[munn5]

I was hired a couple of months into the school year to teach 2 7th grade geography, 1 8th grade US History, and 2 9th grade US History at a private school in Raleigh, taking over for a teacher who was fired. I taught 2 years, part-time, teaching 2 sections of World History. During that time, I also ran (without direct teacher supervision) a computer lab/study center the other 4 periods of the day. I have a BA in History with certification in secondary education, graduating with honors, and Phi Beta Kappa. So I don't have extensive teaching experience, but I know what it means to stand up in front of a class of 30 kids and teach.

When my kids were in the CCS schools, I mainly just went on field trips and attended PTA meetintgs. I didn't have an active role in the schools, though during that time, I taught Sunday School, was vice-chair of the building committee for my church (the Evergreen UMC building) and was an active leader and adult trainer in Cub scouts on a unit and district (2 county) level. (I am still actively involved in cub scouts, serving as committee chair for a cub scout pack, coordinating "join scouting" events in the county, and breaking my arm while serving on staff at a training event a week and a half ago.) I had a baby/toddler/preschooler for the first 10 years my oldest was in CCS schools, which kept me busy outside of the schools. At Woods, I was PTA president and started the athletic boosters, as well organizing events over a number of years. I also wrote the educational specifications document used by the architects to design the current Woods building (the second institutional building project I have been involved in). I've written extensively here, and I have a facebook group with regular postings on educational issues in Chatham County and the nation.

You know a lot about me, and even if you disagree with me on issues, I think it is objectively clear that I am knowledgeable about education. I look forward to talking to many of you here or in person over the next 2 years.

Unfortunately, I don't know a fraction of that info about any of the candidates for school board this year. And, I bet none of you do, either.

[mountain gal]

wow, I guess you all love Mia and I sure see why you respect her but talk about piling on.  I don't know if there's a history here or what but it looks like a voter was trying to get a little more info so he or she could make a decision on the candidate and you guys are acting like he was talking smack about her mama.

No - just appreciate the time and effort that Mia has put in as a private citizen.  My concern is why the voter wants to base her competency on the time she spent in the classroom.  Being in the classroom does not necessarily make an effective member of the board any more so than being a board member makes you an effective classroom teacher.  I would hope that anyone would look at competency/track record rather than number of days, weeks, months in a PUBLIC classroom in deciding who to vote for.

[Snowball]

I was hired a couple of months into the school year to teach 2 7th grade geography, 1 8th grade US History, and 2 9th grade US History at a private school in Raleigh, taking over for a teacher who was fired. I taught 2 years, part-time, teaching 2 sections of World History. During that time, I also ran (without direct teacher supervision) a computer lab/study center the other 4 periods of the day. I have a BA in History with certification in secondary education, graduating with honors, and Phi Beta Kappa. So I don't have extensive teaching experience, but I know what it means to stand up in front of a class of 30 kids and teach.

When my kids were in the CCS schools, I mainly just went on field trips and attended PTA meetintgs. I didn't have an active role in the schools, though during that time, I taught Sunday School, was vice-chair of the building committee for my church (the Evergreen UMC building) and was an active leader and adult trainer in Cub scouts on a unit and district (2 county) level. (I am still actively involved in cub scouts, serving as committee chair for a cub scout pack, coordinating "join scouting" events in the county, and breaking my arm while serving on staff at a training event a week and a half ago.) I had a baby/toddler/preschooler for the first 10 years my oldest was in CCS schools, which kept me busy outside of the schools. At Woods, I was PTA president and started the athletic boosters, as well organizing events over a number of years. I also wrote the educational specifications document used by the architects to design the current Woods building (the second institutional building project I have been involved in). I've written extensively here, and I have a facebook group with regular postings on educational issues in Chatham County and the nation.

You know a lot about me, and even if you disagree with me on issues, I think it is objectively clear that I am knowledgeable about education. I look forward to talking to many of you here or in person over the next 2 years.

Unfortunately, I don't know a fraction of that info about any of the candidates for school board this year. And, I bet none of you do, either.

Thank you, munn, for your prompt and forthright response. I've read about your goals for CCS through numerous websites, articles and postings, and you have been more informative than most. I look forward to hearing more from you and other candidates, and hope there will be some public forums prior to the election.

[artymarty]

it's not for any of us to tell someone what criteria he should use for voting.  I'd rather someone ask questions then just make assumptions and NOT vote for a good candidate.

[natvrabit]

Let's not forget it is a non-partisan role , supposedly.

[mountain gal]

Let's not forget it is a non-partisan role , supposedly.

Hopefully it will not be a charter vs. public issue issue as well.

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