Board of Education, Dist. 4
Christopher S. Barclay
Q. What are your top three priorities for the next four years, if elected?
*Increase achievement for all students.
*Improve academic and social engagement of African American, Hispanic, special education students and students impacted by poverty.
*Improve communications and accountability between MCPS⁄ the Board of Education and parents.
Q. How would you rate the performance of the current school board: excellent, good, fair or poor? Why?
Good — We have tried to re-establish our autonomy while staying responsive to the community.
Q. Superintendent Jerry D. Weast has said he doesn’t expect to extend his contract beyond 2011. What qualities, skills and expectations would you seek in a new superintendent?
*Proven track record of increasing academic achievement
*Experience working with diverse communities
*Excellent communications skills
*Strong rapport with staff
Those are some of the skills and qualities I would seek in a new superintendent.
Q. Do the superintendent and the unions have too much influence over the school board?
No. The fact that the superintendent, the unions and the school board have a good working relationship allows us all to maximize our strengths in creating the best school system possible for this county.
Q. Is the county funding for schools too much, about right or too little? If too little, where would you find additional money?
The county funding for our schools is about right.
Q. Do you think the system for renovating schools is adequate, or does it need changing?
The system for renovating our schools needs a significant infusion of cash from the state to start catching up with the need. Without that we will always be able to say it is not adequate.
Q. How well are the county’s high school consortia working to raise student achievement?
I do not feel comfortable that we have enough data to determine if the high school consortia model is working to raise student achievement. For me, the jury is still out.
Q. There is a strong focus on improving the county’s middle school curriculum. How well is the middle school reform working to raise student achievement?
I do not feel comfortable that we have enough data to determine if the middle school reform is working to raise student achievement.
Q. Are too many students being pushed into advanced placement and honors classes without proper preparation?
I think that we need to increase our supports for students who have been traditionally underrepresented in AP and Honors classes. The push for increased rigor is the right way to go, but it must be matched with significant preparation and appropriate supports.
Q. The school system’s health curriculum includes discussions of homosexuality and demonstrations of contraception use. Would you change the policy or let it stand?
I would let the policy stand as voted on and approved.
Q. What do you think about the board’s relationship with the community?
The relationship between the board and the community will always have room for improvement. One of the areas that I am most concerned about is continuing to make the boards decisions more transparent and better understood by the community.
Q. Does the County Council have too much, too little or not enough oversight of the school system?
The County Council has adequate oversight of the school system.
Q. What should the school system do to improve performance of struggling students?
We need to continue to dedicate targeted supports for struggling students. Those supports need to be during the school day and after-school.
Q. Do you think the school system is doing enough to meet the needs of special education students?
I think you school system is doing a good job for special education students and we can do more.
Q. Are the schools safe for students and teachers? If not, what should be done?
YES. I think our schools are a safe environment for students and teachers.
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