Five seeking city schools seats
By FULLER ROYAL
Only one of this year’s three Whiteville City Schools Board of Education races is contested.
Incumbent and at-large member LaDeen Powell is being challenged by Dr. James DiMuzio and Dean Nealey. Powell is the chairman of the board.
Board members Dave Flowers and Carlton Prince are unopposed in their respective districts.
Opposition or not, all five candidates were asked to answer questions posed by The News Reporter.
DiMuzio, 42, is a local physician and chief of surgery at Columbus Regional Healthcare. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Villanova University, his master’s from Hahnermann University and attended medical school at the University of Health Services in Kansas City, Mo.
He and wife Vicki have three children, ages seven to 12.
A past PTA president, DiMuzio is a baseball and soccer coach and sits on the board of Communities in Schools of Whiteville.
Flowers, 58, is pastor of Central Baptist Church and the outreach specialist at Southeastern Community College. He was educated at SCC, Shaw University and Morehouse College.
He and wife Margie have two grown children.
He is an 18-year member of the Whiteville City Schools Board of Education and a member of the N.C. School Boards Association. A recipient of the Silent Wolf Award from WHS, he is vice president of the Columbus County Democratic Party.
Nealey, 49, is a 29-year lineman and engineer for Progress Energy.
A graduate of Tabor City High School, he has associate degrees in electrical technology and electronic technology. Married for 24 years, he and wife Carol have three children. Two are grown with the youngest a seventh-grader at Central Middle School.
He has no prior political experience. He has coached children’s T-ball, baseball, recreation football, soccer and church-league basketball for 20 years.
Powell, 53, is chief operating officer for Peoples Funeral Homes of Whiteville Inc. She is a 1971 graduate of Whiteville High School. In 1975, she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from North Carolina A&T State University.
Single with no children, she has 22 years experience on the board of education.
She is an active member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. She sits on the boards of directors of the Columbus County Community Foundation and the Greater Whiteville Chamber of Commerce.
She has been active with the SCC Community College Foundation, the United Negro College Fund, the Whiteville Athletic Association, the N.C. A&T University Alumni Association and the Westside Alumni Association.
She has also worked with the N.C. School Boards Association, Whiteville Academic Boosters, the American Cancer Society, the Columbus County Hospital Auxiliary, the Columbus County Committee of 100, the Columbus County YMCA and the YWCA of Wilmington.
Prince. 69, is a retired educator. He has a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University, a master’s degree from UNC-Chapel Hill and a education specialist degree from East Carolina University.
He and wife Mary Jean have three grown children.
Prince spent the bulk of his education career as principal of Whiteville High School. He has served four years on the board.
Prince is active with Whiteville First Baptist Church and with the Whiteville Civitans.
Why do you wish to be elected or re-elected to the school board?
DiMUZIO: I want to help our school board challenge and motivate our children to learn. There exists far greater demands on them in the “real world” and to prepare them for this challenge we need to raise the bar. Just meeting state standards is no longer acceptable.
FLOWERS: I wish to remain on the board because of the contributions that I am able to make to the school, students, teachers, staff, parents, administrators and community as a whole.
NEALEY: I want to see the Whiteville City Schools become the best school system in our state. We have to set our goals high and not become complacent. I want to see all of our schools excel well beyond the Adequate Yearly Progress goals.
POWELL: As a lifelong citizen of Whiteville, I have a passion for improving the quality of life in our community. I want to continue to work to offer opportunities to raise student achievement, enhance the relationships we have built with parents and businesses and promote teamwork among all stakeholders.
PRINCE: I want to continue to promote academic excellence for all students, to support the best professional staff available, to encourage positive dialogue with teachers, parents and the community and to express a voice for the future, especially in the areas of facilities, personnel and organization.
What was the most positive action the school board took during the past four years?
DiMUZIO: The dress code at the high school was a good start at improving the image of the schools. It’s a good start at raising the expectations from both our students and our faculties.
FLOWERS: There were many, including improvements to our school facilities, staff and faculty salary supplements, employing quality teachers to teach our children and adopting a tougher dress code.
NEALEY: I believe that abolishing in-school suspension and modifying the dress code were very positive steps forward.
POWELL: We have focused on what’s best for every child in our schools through alternative learning opportunities such as the Recovery Program, ReDirect, Advance One Credit, Southeastern Early College and online courses. We have invested in our employees by increasing supplements and providing greater opportunities for professional development.
PRINCE: The most positive action in the past four years is the new high school dress code. It represents a move to higher expectations and standards. This one action should provide momentum to move forward in other areas.
What was the biggest mistake the school board made during the past four years and has it been corrected?
DiMUZIO: The biggest mistake the school board has made recently was lowering the academic standards for athletes. The rationalization that “Sports are all some kids have” is not acceptable. It is the school’s responsibility to educate our children. Sports are great extra-curricular activities and teach many valuable lessons to prepare for life. If sports are “all that some kids have,” then we should use this to motivate them to perform in the classroom. Sports were a very big part of my life. The academic standards my parents set for me to be able to participate in sports is largely responsible for me getting to where I am today.
FLOWERS: I cannot recall any major mistakes that we have made as a board; however, there is always room for improvement as we work cautiously toward not making any big mistakes.
NEALEY: I was very disappointed that only one school out of four made Adequate Yearly Progress.
POWELL: The academic policy for athletes was rescinded without being on the agenda as an action item and without public input. We now have a policy that requires two meetings to rescind a policy, just as it requires two meetings to adopt one.
PRINCE: The biggest mistake was the elimination of the local academic standard for athletes. This action did not help to promote higher expectations or standards in any area. Unfortunately, the ruling has not changed. I did not vote for it and I continue to seek reinstatement of the higher academic standard for athletes.
What would you bring to the school board during the next four years?
DiMUZIO: I will bring a fresh and positive attitude to the board. I will not settle for mediocrity. I am not okay with our test scores being on par with surrounding counties. I want to see our schools compete with the top school systems in the country.
FLOWERS: I bring a wealth of experience, an open mind, a listening ear and a voice for stakeholders who need to be heard on various issues that affect their loves.
NEALEY: I bring a parent’s perspective of having two children to have graduated from the Whiteville City Schools and I still have another child in the system. I see a lot of problems that a person without this perspective could never realize. I bring a firm resolve to work for our children and our teachers. Academic excellence can be achieved.
POWELL: I will bring a willingness to work for the best education possible for all children, an objective mind and years of experience, which will help guide our system in making sound decisions. I have proven leadership skills and the capacity to work as a team player.
PRINCE: I will continue to be an advocate for the very best instructional programs for all students and support the professional staff. I will encourage input from the teachers, parents and community. I will push for higher standards, proactive recruitment of qualified personnel, long-range planning and wise financial decisions.
In light of recent events involving the Columbus County Commissioners, what are your feelings on open meetings and the present financial compensation ($6,000 annually) for school board members?
DiMUZIO: Open meetings are essential. Without feedback from parents we lose much-needed feedback. Parents also have a right to know what goes on behind the scenes. As for compensation, I think the stipends should be a re-imbursement for going to meetings and workshops and not just a paycheck to do with as you please. I plan to use my stipend to create an incentive package to recruit and retain quality teachers and principals.
FLOWERS: We have always had open meetings even before we were required to. Whatever we do or say in our closed sessions, the actions or decisions are made aware to the public. According to legislation, the Whiteville City School Board members are compensated at the same rate as the Columbus County School Board members.
NEALEY: I support open meetings for all public boards. I believe that the financial compensation is adequate. I am in favor of having (city) board meetings bimonthly.
POWELL: An informed public is an empowered public. Whenever possible and as the law allows, the public should have access. When I first ran for school board, there was no compensation. Although I appreciate the stipend we now receive, it is not the motivation for my service to my community.
PRINCE: I believe that all meetings should be open. Executive meetings, when they are necessary, should follow the letter of the law. Detailed minutes and/or recordings of all meetings including executive sessions would be acceptable to me.
I think the present financial compensation is quite adequate and I have opposed any increase. I do, however, feel that attending state and national conventions occasionally can be helpful.
What are your school system’s biggest needs and how will you address those needs?
DiMUZIO: Right now, the biggest need is to find a highly qualified principal for our high school. (WHS Principal Kyle Ramey is stepping down in June 2007.) There needs to be an extensive interview process and I am not afraid to ask tough questions. Our school system also needs more money. I propose recruiting a skilled grant writer. We are missing the boat entirely in that area. There are millions of dollars available for schools like ours. We just need to know how to go about finding those dollars.
FLOWERS: I think our biggest need is a new high school with state-of-the-art equipment and appropriate facilities conducive to a wholesome learning environment. When our students leave our system they should be able to compete with students from any system in the United States or the world. We are addressing this need at this time by looking into (school leasing) companies like First Floor and exploring new options for financing and funding this project.
NEALEY: We need to get our schools back on the positive side of the Adequate Yearly Progress goals, and I propose that we take the reins off our teachers and give them the time and the tools to do what they do best – teach. It is imperative that we make sure that our schools are safe. I believe that we have to become very proactive where safety is concerned. We must continually test and upgrade our security plans.
POWELL: We need new school facilities, safe environments for students and staff and highly qualified teachers. I will work cooperatively with state and local officials and school administrators to find ways to finance new school construction, promote citizenship and character and recruit and retain teachers.
PRINCE: Whiteville City School’s biggest needs are (1) higher standards for all areas, especially academics and student responsibility; (2) more input from teachers, parents and community; (3) proactive recruitment for qualified personnel; and (4) comprehensive long-range planning for facilities and growth. I will do my best to make these issues priorities and to devote available resources to achieving them.
Your last word.
DiMUZIO: I feel that there is a need for change in our school board. If elected, I will work with the same energy and enthusiasm I put into my medical practice. I have a flexible schedule and will do more than just go to meetings. I will work to improve our standards and I won’t accept mediocrity. I also want to encourage everybody to vote. If you don’t vote then you are letting someone else make decisions for you and your children.
FLOWERS: For those who know me as a person, they know that I am not running for this office for reputation or vainglory. Instead, I am running for this office because I want to help others. I pride myself on being “fair.” What I desire for one person I desire for all. What more could one ask of an individual who holds this position? I feel that I bring so much to the Whiteville City School bard because of my vast range of experiences. I extend my hand across lines of race, creed, religion and socio-economic barriers to make a difference in the lives of people.
NEALEY: I would like to see the Whiteville City Schools become a premier school system. We have to raise the bar, set our goals high and become the best school system in the state. I will work to see that our children and staff are provided with a safe and secure learning environment. We must have strong leadership at every school. We have to recruit and retain the very best teachers. It is very important that we provide our teachers the adequate time and resources to do their jobs. We have to focus on the basics like communications skills, reading, math and the sciences. If elected to the Whiteville City Schools Board of Education, I will do my best to make sure that each child receives the very best education they deserve.
POWELL: I believe in quality education for all children and have an appreciation for excellence in education. We must prepare our children to succeed in life and compete in an ever-changing global marketplace. My record proves my dedication, commitment and loyalty to the vision and goals of the Whiteville City Schools.
PRINCE: I want to see the Whiteville City Schools become one of the best in the state. We need to raise standards and support our students and teachers to meet them. We need input and support from the students, teachers, parents and community to assure the development and practice of a personal social, civic, moral and ethical responsibility. We need to develop and attitude and interest in life-long learning and preparation for success in the world of work. We need to use all resources wisely and to plan for the future.