EDMOND — Clay Christiansen, vice president of the Deer Creek Schools Foundation, moderated the School Board Candidates Forum Wednesday evening to a crowd of less than 50 people.

Incumbent Danny Barnes is being challenged by Suzanne McGraw and Rob Talbot in the at-large election for Seat 4. The election will take place Feb. 10.

Why do you want to be a school board member and what do you bring to the school board if elected?

Danny Barnes: “I have been a 40-year resident of Deer Creek, moving here in 1969 and graduating in 1974.”

By the time the youngest of his six children graduates, he will have had students in the Deer Creek system for more than 30 years.

“I have witnessed many changes in our schools and it is not a word I will run away from,” Barnes said. “Change for itself must enrich the academic experience.”

Suzanne McGraw: Her father, an educator, inspired her to teach. The mother of seven she says she is passionate about children and education.

“I am continuously communicating with teachers and parents,” McGraw said.

McGraw wants to embrace what is good in Deer Creek, as well as other districts, and learn and grow from their experiences.

Rob Talbot: Says he has been involved with the school district for the past three years and decided he could make a greater difference as a school board member. He says he brings with him a business management background.

“School board members are managers of education,” Talbot said. “We must reform, communicate and be accountable. We must look hard at what we are doing and review what we are doing.”

Are you willing to bring sports to higher excellence?

Talbot: “I think excellence should be expanded to all programs. Money is an issue. We must look at the whole picture to see how we can improve, allowing all students to participate.”

Barnes: “Yes, education is first though. All the money in the world doesn’t make state champions.”

McGraw: “We need to get the best coaches out there looking at not only 5A but 6A coaches also.” How can you keep faculty from leaving mid-year?

Barnes: “Find people who love and care about the district. We have a lot of people in-house we can hire.”

McGraw: “Start hiring in January and look far and wide. If you have open communication, accountability is not an issue.”

Talbot: “Number one way is to talk to the teachers. Make them happy. Ask them what they need and how can we help. You can’t keep them from leaving. Post jobs when they open up, don’t wait until the next year to hire.”

In what areas, if any, do we need to improve on technology in the classroom?

Talbot: “We are lacking in qualified technology teachers who can teach the software. We must be very careful that our technology enhances our child’s education.”

Barnes: “Kids power down when they come to school. Technology is an important tool, but it is not the answer to everything. It does help us compete.”

McGraw: “We need to make sure our children are grasping the fundamentals at every level, from keyboarding to using Microsoft.”

What is your position on the current curriculum direction for future curriculum?

Barnes: “Our curriculum is set by the state, but our teachers have leeway to teach in different manners. Our curriculum people tell us if we need to change our curriculum.”

McGraw: “As a free-lance curriculum coordinator working with book companies, I believe our curriculum is not aligned across the district. We need to work on vertical as well as horizontal alignment at the elementary schools.”

Talbot: “The curriculum is the same, but the teaching methods are different. API scores may be high, but our Iowa Test scores are down.”

What do we need to do to improve our Special Education program?

Talbot: “We need total reform.”

Barnes: “Special Education is government regulated. Problem is the federal government passed (the) Disabilities Act and improperly funded it.”

McGraw: “I would like to see Deer Creek be ahead rather than behind. We need measures in place before we fall short.”

What are challenges and what do you plan to do about them?

McGraw: “Set up levels of core knowledge that must be mastered, communicate with schools and give our parents a voice.”

Talbot: “We need to have diversity with growth and a system that addresses each student. We need better communication. Perhaps using e-mail more. We need more people who are worried about making the right decisions, not just a 5-0 vote.”

Barnes: “Educating our students in this economy. We need to think about tightening our belt.”