Shannon Hogue
CANDIDATE QUESITONNAIRE
What goals do you have for your time in office?
- We need to limit the number of assessments given in grades K-5. We give STAR (4 times), IReady (3 times), Benchmark Assessments (4 times) and FSA (1 time). The state of Florida will no longer take the FSA, but will begin this year with Progress Monitoring. This will be done three times a year. If we don’t eliminate other assessments, our elementary students will take FOURTEEN assessments a year. This does not include weekly assessments.
- We should set EVERY student up for success. We need to make sure that we are not pushing college on all students. Students need exposure to multiple avenues: trades, military, college and opportunities to go straight into the workforce. We should partner with more local businesses to create a shadow program. We need to expand our trade programs so that our students, no matter where they are located in the district, have equal opportunities. We should offer JROTC at all of our high schools. We should also offer Saturday SAT prep classes to our Juniors and Seniors. It is our duty to support all students no matter the avenue they choose.
- Develop a salary plan for all staff. Also, create a survey that would be sent midyear to staff. These results would be analyzed by the board to determine areas of strength and areas where we need to improve. We do not need to wait until someone leaves to find out why they are not satisfied in our district.
- We need to work on our relationship with the community. Families and community members should feel that they are listened to and supported.
- We need to implement a digital system for our buses. This would help with safety and time bus drivers spend on paperwork.
What do you see as the biggest hurdle to quality education for kids in Nassau County?
Currently, the biggest hurdle is retaining and attracting additional dynamic staff.
Nassau County has not been immune to the recent surge in teacher resignations. How will you work to address this issue?
- A mid-year survey needs to be developed and implemented. Analyze results and create a plan of action.
- We need to stop micromanaging the teachers. We trust them enough to hire them, we need to trust them with their instruction.
- A relationship between the board and teachers is important. Board members should encourage an open dialogue to hear concerns and issues.
- If a class has to be split due to not having an instructor, the teachers who take on those extra students would receive additional pay for that year.
- Take a closer look at each school’s climate, especially the ones where there is a high turnover rate.
“Don’t Say Gay” has taken effect. How will you support teachers and students through this controversial change?
The law has been changed and we all are obliged to follow the law. I personally don’t think gender identity or sexual orientation needs to be discussed with children 3rd grade and under. I believe we need to let kids be kids.
What role do you think race and gender play in public education?
It is our duty to treat every child in our system equally, no matter their race, gender, ethnicity or religious association. We are to give them the educational tools needed to succeed in life.
The Nassau County School District is already an A-rated district, placing second out of all the districts in Florida. How do you think it can improve?
- Don’t let test scores dictate classes that students can take.
- Commit to high-level achievements for all.
- Enable teachers to collect and analyze their own student achievement data and determine their own professional development.
- Stay focused. We need to keep on course when trying educational initiatives and not change yearly.
- We should have district roundtable discussions, where school staff members share their efforts to improve student achievement, including successes and failures. This can help school staff think from a district perspective. All decisions in a district, from professional development to budget allocations, must reflect these priorities.
What is your plan to address growing classroom sizes as more families move to Nassau County?
It’s important to work closely with the county commissioners when looking at development. We, as a school board, need to join with other Florida school boards and go to Tallahassee. We need to appeal to the state to lift the building criteria so that we don’t have to wait years to build. I do not see the growth slowing down in this area. Therefore, we must be proactive and constantly planning.
How will you support education support personnel such as bus drivers, food service workers and custodians?
- Education support personnel are the unsung heroes. My mom worked in the school cafeteria for a little while when I was young. I remember how exhausted she was in the evenings.
- Before you can truly support these people, you need to understand their role. I think school board members should shadow these different positions once every nine weeks. This would build a relationship between the board member and allow for a better understanding of strengths and areas of concern.
- Our bus drivers should have the digital transportation system. Students would scan their student ID upon entering the bus. This lets the bus driver know exactly who is on the bus daily. This is also used for any seating charts and discipline issues. Bus drivers have paperwork that lots of times is done off the clock. This digital system would help eliminate this.
- We need to create an incentive package that shows our appreciation.
Why do you think transparency is a key factor in how the school board operates?
My question is why wouldn’t a school board operate transparently? School board members are supposed to serve at the pleasure of the people, not themselves. When you are transparent, there is trust. Trust is vital for relationships and making decisions for a school district is comprised of those relationships.
How will you ensure schools are safe places for kids?
You need to know the weak areas or soft spots. How do you know this information? Take a tour of the schools… all of them, not just the ones in your district. For example, Bryceville needs more fencing. Schools that have exterior glass doors need to have bulletproof glass. More cameras are needed throughout all campuses. Schools need radios and they need to work. What cannot happen is to use the excuse that “it’s not in the budget.”
CANDIDATE STATEMENT
Editor’s Note: Shannon Hogue is running for School Board for Nassau County School, District 1. Hogue submitted the following for publication.
It has been said, “All learning is understanding relationships.” From training teachers in effective literacy instruction, writing school-wide curriculum and providing students with intensive reading interventions, working ball games, hosting family night events, and even helping clean school cafeteria tables, I understand what it takes to serve in our schools.
After receiving multiple degrees in education, my entire 23-year career has been centered around training and developing highly effective teachers and creating a culture of lifelong learning within students. I have been in education for the last 23 years, but my story doesn’t begin here.
Forty years ago, in a rural Georgia kindergarten classroom, a teacher made a difference in my life. One that would set me on a path where I too, would make a difference in many students' lives. My Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Vaughn was a special lady. She saw beyond the effects of poverty, telling me what a lovely smile I had, even though my mouth was riddled with cavities. She saw beyond the tiny house I lived in and beyond my factory working parents, who could only afford the hand-me-downs, twice over.
Mrs. Vaughn was able to see ‘beyond’ because she had vision and compassion. Vision that allowed her to see something special in each of her students and the compassion to nurture it. Because of her, I fell in love with learning and school. Later on in my career, I discovered Mrs. Vaughn’s secret. Do you know what it was? Knowing the value of Human Connections. Relations with students and families. This is what makes a teacher.
I believe that a school board’s purpose is to do what is best for our students. They must be responsive and receptive to parents, staff, students and the community at large. The board must take input from all groups and weigh all the facts before making a decision. A Board member is a trustee of the community. That Trustee must be accessible and willing to collaborate with all members of the community. A school board member must build public understanding, support and participation.