Could Mark Davis run for School Superintendent?

I wish he would.

He led the charge for lowering the millage rate.

He would appear to be an excellent choice.

We need someone with ideas on how to improve the drop-out rate, and raise test scores.

Throwing money at the Anderson agenda has not produced results.

Throw that hat in there !

A lawyer instead of a teacher for superintendent? Electing a DEM instead of REP to cut taxes and spending? Only in Walton County.

A lawyer instead of a teacher for superintendent? Electing a DEM instead of REP to cut taxes and spending? Only in Walton County.

Your post reflected my exact thoughts.

Isn't the superintendent nonpartisan, like the school board races are? (Seriously. I can't remember.)

Those who question his abilities must not have attended the Blithe Spirit School Board meeting. And, he does meet the criteria that I have been known to cross party lines for.

Only problem would be, I'd have to find another attorney. :roll:

Isn't the superintendent nonpartisan, like the school board races are? (Seriously. I can't remember.)

Those who question his abilities must not have attended the Blithe Spirit School Board meeting. And, he does meet the criteria that I have been known to cross party lines for.

Only problem would be, I'd have to find another attorney. :roll:

No the race would be partisan.

No the race would be partisan.

Thanks. That would really suck for him.

It would be nice if party affiliations, while present, would be an issue moved to another burner for such an important race as superintendent. That would however require the effort of both parties to rise above the red and blue frenzy and look toward qualifications for the position. After all this is in the interest of our children and their future

IMO Mark would make an excellent superintendent based on his history on the board. He is credible, devoted, literate, educated and insightful from what I can tell.

I would have never known which party he was affiliated with until WaltonGOP mentioned it.

It would be nice if party affiliations, while present, would be an issue moved to another burner for such an important race as superintendent. That would however require the effort of both parties to rise above the red and blue frenzy and look toward qualifications for the position. After all this is in the interest of our children and their future

The party affiliation issue is something to contact your legislator about if it is to be changed. Or another amendment to the state constitution.

And I mention it because it would be campaign issue. Based on other things I see happening, it may actually help him.

The party affiliation issue is something to contact your legislator about if it is to be changed. Or another amendment to the state constitution.

And I mention it because it would be campaign issue. Based on other things I see happening, it may actually help him.

To state it more clearly, I did not say change the law, I said that the parties should not make democrat vs republican an issue of a school board race. The issue should be qualifications and abilities.

A lawyer instead of a teacher for superintendent? Electing a DEM instead of REP to cut taxes and spending? Only in Walton County.

My ideal school board candidate would NEVER cut taxes and spending related to education. If only all the people running for public office around here were as high quality as Mark Davis!! Ahh...the perfect world...

My ideal school board candidate would NEVER cut taxes and spending related to education.

If memory serves me correctly, the approach was to reduce the level of the increase in spending to what was needed vs wanted. The problem that I see with school districts is when you try to build up reserve monies, the unions negotiate those reserves back to salaries, so you end up with nothing no matter what you do.

That goes back to a question I raised on another thread, just how much should a teacher be paid? Once that is agreed upon, then everyone has a stated goal to negotiate toward.

I wish he would...he was the voice of reason and respectful to everyone at the meeting I attended. Walton County should be so lucky. Besides, I think name recognition outranks party in most local elections. Further, I think he'll find a grassroots effort among Democrats who would be thrilled to support him!

It would be nice if party affiliations, while present, would be an issue moved to another burner for such an important race as superintendent. That would however require the effort of both parties to rise above the red and blue frenzy and look toward qualifications for the position. After all this is in the interest of our children and their future

IMO Mark would make an excellent superintendent based on his history on the board. He is credible, devoted, literate, educated and insightful from what I can tell.

I would have never known which party he was affiliated with until WaltonGOP mentioned it.

Change the superintendent to include Sherrif, BCC, any office. Why should the Superintendent of Schools be any different.

Change the superintendent to include Sherrif, BCC, any office. Why should the Superintendent of Schools be any different.

Ya know we could petition the BCC to start a study on charter government in Walton County. This would allow this as well as several other issues to be addressed. It would certainly be an interesting process to work through with everyone.

I do not know Mark Davis and no longer have children in school. I do have one very strong opinion about the superintendent's position. It should be an appointed position by the school board, not an elected one. He should carry out school board policies and run the school system as an administrator with direction from the board. And school board elections shoul be non partisan IMO. Us hicks from OK were miles ahead of FL when it came to how we held local elections. Also, it is my firm opinion that an educator should be the superintendent, not a lawyer.

By educator, do you include school administrators or school district administrative staff, or is it teachers only?

I'm very uncomfortable with an elected school board, that has the potential to change 2 or 3 members every other year, appointing a superintendent. If the person appointed turned out to be a bad fit for the position, how then would we the public get him or her out of there?

By educator, do you include school administrators or school district administrative staff, or is it teachers only?

I'm very uncomfortable with an elected school board, that has the potential to change 2 or 3 members every other year, appointing a superintendent. If the person appointed turned out to be a bad fit for the position, how then would we the public get him or her out of there?

How about the superindent as a true CEO-type position, hired by the board, screened by the HR department, who is subject to all of the same employment rules as an employee? Maybe we could aim for continuity and long-range planning.

I'm uncomfortable with the school board making the final decision also, but in places where they do this, it is a very public event (all the candidates named, etc) and the public has lots of input. It's how you "grow" your school district, by hiring someone who has actually worked in a high-level administrative position in a larger district.

The superintendent serves at the pleasure of the school board which is elected. They can fire him if he does not run the district fairly or efficiently. He/She is responsible for all day to day function of the school sytem, including administrators, district staff and teachers, though the school principals are also responsible. You sure can't get rid of him/her now. Witness the McAlister situation in Bay County. What a mess and unnecessary expenditure of school funds.

The superintendent serves at the pleasure of the school board which is elected. They can fire him if he does not run the district fairly or efficiently. He/She is responsible for all day to day function of the school sytem, including administrators, district staff and teachers, though the school principals are also responsible. You sure can't get rid of him/her now. Witness the McAlister situation in Bay County. What a mess and unnecessary expenditure of school funds.

Without some serious contracts in place I do not see how that would be better. You would have a super that is constantly trying to do things to keep board members happy. I would think it would result in more of a crisis management situation. Currently, as shown in Bay County, the Super has as much if not more power than the Board. The Board sets the policies, the Super implements them. The only difference is instead of the SB hiring the Super, the people hire the Super. The Super is the people's manager. Hmmmm...I like the way that sounds.

Of course there are serious contracts. Also, when a new super is hired, a hiring search is done in much the same manner one is conducted for the hiring of a university president. IMO the system was a disaster in Bay County. All I know is it worked well where I came from. But I live here now and accept that things are done differently. I really don't have a dog in this fight, except for the use of my tax dollars. I still believe all llocal elective offices should be nonpartisan. There is no place for party politics at the local level, IMO.

Of course there are serious contracts. Also, when a new super is hired, a hiring search is done in much the same manner one is conducted for the hiring of a university president. IMO the system was a disaster in Bay County. All I know is it worked well where I came from. But I live here now and accept that things are done differently. I really don't have a dog in this fight, except for the use of my tax dollars. I still believe all llocal elective offices should be nonpartisan. There is no place for party politics at the local level, IMO.

I agree. I find party politics at this level down right scary. I never gave it a thought until this thread, and the fact that the best candidate for superintendent we could ever have would have a good chance of losing the election because of so many Walton county residents voting a straight party ticket.

Could you share the criteria that you used in evaluating the performance of the current Supt. I find it hard to understand your statement concerning her abilities.

I have met alot of Supt. at NASB meetings and believe me she is really not a top tier educator.

Some say "Show me the money" - I say "Show me the measurable results" . I hate to tell you but they are not there.

You are truly in for a surprise when your children meet their competition outside of Walton County.

After reading the Walton Sun this morning I was thinking that this thread started the editorial. But not seeing it after re-reading the thread. Is there another popular forum on Walton County that the editor could have been reading?

Mark

It would be great if he would run. However, I think the qualifying date has passed. If not, I hope he will.