Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Educators Meet With Legislators, Discuss Changes
LINDSEY RUNNING UNOPPOSED TO REPRESENT DISTRICT 4 IN THE STATE SENATE
FARMINGTON — School officials had the opportunity Thursday to ask educationrelated questions of state legislators and legislative candidates in a meet-andgreet session sponsored by the Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperative in Farmington.
“Education is changing drastically and we look forward to the (legislative) session,” said co-op director Mike Van Dyke. The co-op serves the 16 school districts in Washington, Benton and Madison counties.
Prairie Grove Superintendent Allen Williams and Lincoln Superintendent Clay Hendrix attended the session, along with school officials from Little Rock and many of the other districts within the co-op.
In all, 11 legislators and legislative candidates took turns answering questions at the meeting.
State Rep. Uvalde Lindsey and legislative candidates David Whitaker and Adella Gray were the only ones who attended who are running for districts that represent parts of Farmington, Prairie Grove or Lincoln.
Lindsey, who is running unopposed to represent
“Education is changing drastically and we look forward to the (legislative) session.”
— Mike Van Dyke
District 4 in the state Senate, told the educators that he believes it is the Legislature’s responsibility to make sure the state continues to fund education, stays out of court and provides an adequate and equitable education to all students in the state.
He warned that 2013 would not be a “pretty session” because of issues facing the state but noted, “There’s nothing more important than our students in public schools. We’ve got to protect that.”
Whitaker, who is the Democratic candidate for District 85 in the House of Representatives, told the educators that he believes in the Arkansas public school system because he is a product of it and he has seen how the system has benefited his daughters.
Gray is the Democratic candidate for Arkansas House District 84 and she said that she is a strong advocate of Gov. Mike Beebe and if elected, would listen carefully to him and to educators.
“The Legislature too often makes decisions without consulting with people in the trenches,” said Gray, who is a retired school counselor.
In responding to a question about a pre-K program for all students, the three area candidates indicated they believe in the importance of early education but one of the concerns would be how to fund a universal program.
“The earlier kids start with a quality education, whether it’s at home or in a preschool program, that child does better all the way K through 12,” Lindsey said. “The question is how do we find a funding source for that.”
Lindsey said the Legislature would not raise taxes this session, predicting, “It’s not going to happen.” Instead, if pre-K education is a priority, then it would have to be funded using existing money, Lindsey said.
Gray and Whitaker also said they support a pre-K program in the state.
“If we do this, the best bet to do it, is to fund shift,” Whitaker said.
He said the Legislature would have to look at priorities and decide what areas should be funded.
Ken Ramey, Siloam Springs’ superintendent, urged the legislators and candidates to work with educators. He said schools are overrun with paper work from new state and federal regulations. Schools are facing new teacher evaluations, new principal evaluations and Common Core standards, Ramey said.
“It’s all evolving,” Ramey said. “We need to work together. We need you and you need us.”
Whitaker is facing Republican candidate Paul Graham in the November general election and Gray is challenging incumbent Republican Charlie Collins.