Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.news From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Budget cuts cloud Montgomery races for school board Date: Sun, 1 Nov 92 20:06:09 EST Message-ID: \SE A;METROPOLITAN \HD Budget cuts cloud Montgomery races for school board \BY Darlene DePass \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES While it is still relatively healthy, the budget for Montgomery County schools - cut last month by $6.5 million to $700 million - looms over the races for three Board of Education seats. Blair Ewing, the only incumbent seeking re-election, says his biggest concern is how state budget woes affect school funds. "We need every dollar," said the four-term board member, who is seeking re-election in the 4th District. He is "very much opposed to the Ficker Amendment," which would lower property taxes if the piggyback tax rises above the 50 percent level. "It would probably have the impact of cutting school system funds by $50 million," Mr. Ewing said. His opponent, newcomer Robert Weiss, 30, favors privatizing school services such as busing and maintenance, which he says could save at least $2 million. He cheered the superintendent's staff cuts at the central office. He also proposes paying teachers for six periods a day and paying a stipend for an optional seventh period. The plan would save each school from hiring at least one teacher, he says. Both men support all-day kindergarten and oppose school distribution of condoms. The at-large seat being vacated by President Catherine Hobbs is one of two open seats. Vying for the seat are Beatrice Gordon and Sheldon Fishman, both from Silver Spring. Both ran unsuccessfully for the school board in 1990. Ms. Gordon, 43, is a special education assistant and a tutor for non-English-speaking children at Page Elementary. She has been active in the county PTA for 12 years. She favors coordinating services with other government agencies and privatizing maintenance and transportation services to save money. She opposed the 6.5 percent teacher pay raise approved last year, saying the money should be "directed back into the classroom." Mr. Fishman, 44, says all students' expectations of school need to be raised. He favors a broader curriculum, curriculum-based tests and more input from teachers. Too often teachers are bogged down with administrative work instead of teaching, he said. He has been endorsed by the Montgomery County Education Association, has served as vice president of PTAs and is a manager at the Federal Reserve. The 2nd District seat, being vacated by board member Sharon DiFonzo, is being sought by lawyer Gene Thirolf and former Rockville City Council member Stephen Abrams. Mr. Thirolf, a past PTA president and soccer and baseball coach in several county leagues, says his top priority is to link businesses with schools through an "adopt-a-school" program. He wants more state support for education and is opposed to the math and science centers that he says segregate the best students. His opponent, Mr. Abrams, a Department of Agriculture employee, says the school system has started catering to the wealthy. Like his opponent, he favors businesses adopting schools. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM