Tech center graduate Kevin Rogers wants to serve on the Marion County Board of Education
May 10—FAIRMONT — Kevin Rogers is one of the success stories of the Marion County Technical Center.
After graduating in 1979, he went on to have a long career as an electrician for 45 years. Now, Rogers wants to serve on the school board.
"I'm just interested in running for the board," he said at the Board of Education Candidate Forum on April 11. "It's the only thing I've ever tried, tried it once in the '90s, ran against the principal and didn't do too well. It's the only thing I've ever been interested in."
Rogers, who is running for the Palatine District seat, did not make himself available for interviews.
There are 5 members of the Board of Education. There are 3 districts in Marion County: Palatine, Middletown and West Augusta. No single district can have more than 2 members. It was designed to ensure one district did not have a majority of the board seats. Donna Costello (West Augusta), Tom Dragich (Middletown) and George Boyles (Palatine) are not up for election.
At the forum, Rogers identified enrollment as the biggest challenge facing schools. Although he defended parents removing their children from the school system for home schooling or HOPE scholarships, he said the schools should do something to entice students back.
Rogers said board members should figure it out and work together, reserving disagreements for behind closed doors. He added board members should vote the way they feel, even if it's 1-4. Visiting all 19 schools in the county is also important for board members to do.
Rogers commended School Superintendent Donna Heston's work leading the school system so far, but said that as a board member, it would be his responsibility to step up and say something if the superintendent brought something to the table that the board disagreed with. Rogers added the board has to communicate its vision to the superintendent.
School funding is another topic Rogers discussed.
"I think, what is it, 70% of tax comes into the county is for school funding," he said. "I know where it comes from, plus the levy."
Like any company, Rogers said it's the board's responsibility to make sure the money is being spent correctly.
Rogers agreed school bullying is an issue. He said he wants to find out what the board or superintendent can do to stop it.
"I have grandchildren in Marion County Schools," he said. "I don't want bullying. I don't have an answer, I would like to discuss with others eventually.
On the question of whether or not to arm teachers in case of a school shooting, Rogers said his preference would be to train police officers to handle the situation. Although he has nothing against training teachers, he prefers to let trained professionals handle any security crisis.
Rogers wants to get more teachers into the classroom by partnering with Fairmont State University. In the '70s and '80s, kids wanted to be teachers. It's something he doesn't see much of these days. Rogers wants to encourage students to enter the teaching profession.
Reach Esteban at efernandez@timeswv.com
