Covington County School Board

Place 1

The duties: Handles matters dealing with school board issues, policies and finances.

The pay: $600 per month or $7,200 annually, plus mileage

 

Republicans

John Clark, the incumbent

Has served on the school board for more than 30 years, and is the co-owner of a local family-owned trailer manufacturing business for the last 40 years.

 

John “Sonny” Thomasson

Recently retired from education after serving 36 years – 18 of which as principal of Straughn High School. Currently serves as the mayor of Sanford, a position held for the last 24 years.

 

Editor’s Note: This is the first story in a series about local candidates on the March 13 ballot. Candidates were invited to The Star-News office for face-to-face interviews and had no previous knowledge of the questions asked.

 

There are two candidates seeking the seat of Covington County School Board, Place 1, on the March 13 ticket – John Clark and John “Sonny” Thomasson.

Clark, the incumbent, has served on the school board for more than 30 years, and is co-owner of a local family-owned trailer manufacturing business for the last 40 years.

Thomasson recently retired from the Covington County School System after serving 36 years – 18 of which as principal of Straughn High School. He also currently serves as the mayor of Sanford, a position held for the last 24 years.

Both are running on the Republican ticket.

Q: What is the biggest issue facing the Covington County School System?

Clark: I like to feel like that whatever issue is or isn’t out there, we’ve already met or are in the process of meeting it, whatever it was. I think we got some people that are pretty good at jumping on issues before they become great problems.

Thomasson: I think funds, because funds have been cut so badly and so greatly. As I mentioned before, to the specific areas, I’d like to increase funds in the areas of textbooks because those are in bad shape, the other is libraries. I’d like to see libraries modernized and see some of this technology, especially in Kindles.

Q: Do you foresee additional consolidation within the Covington County School System?

Clark: Absolutely not. Not that it shouldn’t be, but it just will not be, (and) for several reasons – according to the law and to our attorney, the first thing is every school system in the county will have a system with the name of that county in it. No matter how many city schools or whatever. If they want to come join, fine. We have no alternative. We have to take care of anyone who wants to come. I do feel like the two systems we got are satisfied and are not going to come seek a place in our system. Again, (that’s said) with no malice or ill feeling.

 

In the CCSS, I don’t see anybody really jumping gun or going off. You have to have a city of 5,000 to develop a school system. Within the (CCS) system, no I don’t really see anything in the near future that would (cause) any school to want to consolidate with another. (It) always creates problems, mainly (with) transportation being the biggest.

Thomasson: I don’t know of any consolidation coming up. All of our schools are in pretty good shape. I do know some have low numbers, but I don’t foresee any consolidation.

Q: Is the CCS using technology wisely throughout the system and do we need more or of less of it in our schools?

Clark: I think we’re using it more, have to excuse my – what is this stuff, the tablets, the Kindle? Textbooks on the kindle? Yeah, I foresee more textbooks on electronic book things. The problem now is how are you going to protect them and keep them from being destroyed, but someone will come up with something to do that with. But, as far as other technology, computers, our ratio (of) pupil to computer is above the state average and national average. Of course, we probably won’t rest until it’s 1-to-1.

Thomasson: I think we’ve always used technology wisely. At Straughn, we increased (technology) wherever we had money.

I know technology is hurting right now because of the lack of funds, because the funds that usually come in from the state. So, yes, I’m in favor of using all technology available, especially computers and the Kindles and other brand names that would help our libraries.

Q: Assess the system’s current facilities and is there a need for upgrades or additional facilities?

Clark: I think our current facilities are adequate. I mean there may be isolated cases that need to be looked at, but far and wide, as far as facilities, we are quite adequate. But if we need more room, we’ll build it.

Thomasson: I think the facilities in the CCS are in good shape at the present. I haven’t been in a position to assess them all. I know we’ve had several building programs at Straughn. I believe they’re adequate now, but I’m sure there are some roofs that need to be replaced and some classrooms that need to be renovated right now. But, I’m not sure of any specific spots.