Local voters will be faced with multiple choices come election day, including who will represent District Four on the Christian County School Board. On Monday, incumbent candidate Rebecca Pepper and challenger Caleb Ballard shared their stances on multiple issues at a debate forum hosted by the Hopkinsville League of Women Voters.
League members asked the pair questions concerning teacher salaries, parent involvement and Amendment Two which will also appear on the ballot. If approved, the amendment will allow the Kentucky General Assembly to provide financial support for private education institutions.
Ballard says the amendment should not concern the school board and it is their responsibility to budget for state funding decreases and increases.
Pepper opposes the amendment and the idea of public schools losing funding. Unlike private schools, Pepper says public schools are required to educate and accommodate all students. She also fears that less available funding for public schools could exacerbate the teaching shortage.
Concerning teacher salaries, Ballard says not only should their salaries be increased but also the salaries of cafeteria workers, bus drivers and janitors. Ballard says Christian County has some of the lowest bus driver wages in the region.
During her tenure on the board, Pepper says they have worked to give educators 7% raises which she still believes is not enough. She also shared that is important to focus on the needs of educators beyond their pay.
Concerning parent involvement, Pepper says the school system has made major strides toward keeping parents in the loop regarding their student’s education and school events. Pepper says the recent implementation of parent engagement coordinators, the Full-Service Community Schools Director and Parent Square is lessening the gap between educators and parents.
To better engage with parents, Ballard says board meetings should be live streamed because not all parents can attend those meetings to learn about what policies and changes are being implemented in their student’s schools.
The full debate is available at the League of Women Voters – Hopkinsville, KY on Facebook, and election day is November 5.