The public can now see the light at the end of the superintendent search tunnel. The final forum concluded tonight with Chris Belcher’s question-and-answer session with the public. The tones of each public forum were at opposite ends of a spectrum. Skip Deming’s forum seemed more hostile with outbursts from the audience, while Belcher’s answers were followed with laughs and applause.
During the candidate’s forums, the public wrote opinions of their own. At Deming’s forum individuals such as Robin Hubbard, who calls herself a parent activist, wrote down that she believed Deming was a “politician not a leader,” in capital letters. While a member of Belcher’s audience, who sat next to me at the forum, and a Columbia teacher took note of how Belcher was standing, “hands behind his back.”
Both men have qualifications that are needed for what school board president, Michelle Gadbois, calls a “fabulous” position. Deming has been with the school district for years, starting as a janitor and moving to an interim superintendent. Belcher is a superintendent with the Kearney Public School District. Both men also have expressed their weaknesses. While Deming has never been a superintendent, Belcher said he believes he is not the most organized person.
It’s the public’s turn to voice their opinion, and to step away from writing questions on a piece of paper to be read to the candidates. The board is asking people to e-mail or call the board with their opinions or concerns.
Tell us what you think. Who’s your vote for? How do you think the candidates handled themselves during the forums? What do you want the board to know before they make their decision? Any other comments or thoughts?
— Taylor Barney
Thank you, I did not make it to both public forum’s, but I wish I had, I only made it to Deming’s forum. Disappointed. I think you summed up the candidates forum concisely, wish I could have made it to Belcher’s. What I think is, the board might believe that Demming is a shoe-in but I think that if Belcher’s forum was such a hit for the public maybe they need to keep that in consideration! The public is who they need to please, they are the ones that pay taxes. My vote is for Belcher… cross your fingers. I think we all want change and we are not going to get that if we keep hiring the same people. Deming has had his shot in this district. He needs to stick to his retired life I think he is enjoying it too much to come back to work, obvious from that Arizona tan. Thank you Taylor for giving us a chance to have our voices be heard.
[...] the final forum Thursday, Board President Michelle Gadbois encouraged attendees to tell board members their opinions of the [...]