|
Candidates talk about education
Board hopefuls appear at Clinton Twp. forum
by Melanie D. Scott, Detroit Free Press, September 25,
2002
For more articles on disabilities and special ed visit
www.bridges4kids.org.
Three state Board of Education candidates answered questions
from educators, parents and residents on topics including
special education and overall quality during a special forum
in Clinton Township.
Democrat Elizabeth Bauer and Republicans Carolyn Curtin and
Michael Warren talked Tuesday about issues they would like to
pursue if elected to the board. The forum was sponsored by the
Macomb Intermediate School District.
Bauer, 64, of Birmingham is a retired executive director of
the Michigan Protection and Advocacy Services and has worked
to ensure that special-education laws are honored.
"The federal government made a promise to fund 40 percent of
the special-education programs, and they aren't doing that --
and districts are in a big bind because it is draining their
funds," Bauer said. "It creates competition between
regular-education parents and special-education parents."
Curtin, 64, of Evart is the treasurer of the Mecosta-Osceola
Intermediate School District. She worked for her local school
board for 11 years.
"I am worried about the infrastructure of schools," Curtin
said. "It's not just a problem in Detroit. There are a lot of
schools in the Upper Peninsula with the same problems."
Warren, 35, of Beverly Hills is an incumbent who was appointed
by Gov. John Engler in September 1999 for a term that expires
later this year. He said he would like to see more civics
programs in the schools.
"Look at social studies scores on the MEAP. There is a deficit
statewide, and we need to address it," Warren said. "We need
students to be engaged citizens, to know their duties and to
embrace the privilege of living in a free society."
The candidates are running for two seats, each with a term of
eight years.
State Rep. Nancy Quarles, D-Southfield, is also running but
did not attend the forum.
Contact MELANIE D. SCOTT at 586-469-8085 or
scott@freepress.com.
|
