I was at the debate between Patsy Jordan and Kim Cochran. Ms. Jordan basically only answered one question and that was no to Charter Schools and stumbled through the rest of the questions never providing a answer. There is so much more to this position than Charter Schools.

The reason we have a board is so that everyone can provide their opinion on what they believe is best for CCSD. When asked what are three things you disagree with that the school board approved, Ms. Jordan said there was nothing that she did not agree with. This causes concern as we need someone with an opinion, not a puppet to agree with Dr. P.

Another concern is that she has NEVER been to a school board meeting. "She reads about them in the paper".

Ms. Jordan had NO ideas regarding the budget.

CCSD needs someone with an independent opinion, someone with ideas, someone who can stand up for what is right even if it is disagreeing with the Dr. P. Patsy Jordan is not that person.

Patsy Jordan is the BEST choice. She spend many years in the classroom and would represent what is best for all of the students in the county. She understands the concerns of parents, students, and staff. I don't care how many board meetings she has been to because that doesn't mean you would do the beat job. Cochran spent the entire debate lying.

As far as making fiscally responsible decisions, Cochran has shown during her term that she will makes decisions and vote for things that hurt the county and budget.

Patsy Jordan is the only choice if we want our county to be successful.

In my personal opinion this is about which of these 2 candidates is best equipped to handle the position of school board member, that is not Ms. Jordan. While I agree that she is a genuinely kind, sweet person she is not educated enough in this field to represent the position. She was unable to provide answers that pertained to the questions asked at this debate. She is unfamiliar with the board meetings, the requirements of the position and how the financial aspects even work. She stated numerous times that CCSD is perfect and needs no improvement other then perhaps adding more vocational options. No school system is perfect, there is always room for improvement and innovative moves. How can someone campaign for a position that they have no knowledge of how to fill? She was not even informed about the HR 1162 amendment and what is stated in the actual bill. We need someone aware of the current issues and with solutions. Not once did Ms. Jordan offer a solution or a new proposal on how to handle anything occurring in the county school district. Regardless of whether I agree or disagree with a candidate, I at least want them to be informed and educated on the position and issues. Unfortunately this did not occur. I feel she is under qualified for the task and that is why I will be voting for Ms. Cochran.

both candidates were asked if they pay their taxes, both answered yes. However the address that Patsy Jordan provided on her qualifying forms does NOT pay any school taxes. The property does list 4 owners, her parents, her sister and Patsy. I realize that the parents get an exemption due to their age, but why doesn't Patsy pay school taxes? What is her exemption? Have they found a loophole to not pay the full tax due? I believe that Patsy lives in a seperate dwelling. Everyone knows the budget is the most serious issue the BOE has. Would they condone a member who has found a way to NOT pay school taxes that they owe.

Ashley, do your neighbors reside in the same home? Is there more than one dwelling? I believe that Ms. Jordan has a seperate dwelling than her parents.

I do not know the answer to my question, and that is why I am asking it. This is on the elderly exemptions qualifications:

•must have homestead exemption
•must be 62 years of age or older on or before January 1st of the effective tax year
•if qualified, you will be exempt from school taxes only up to ($371,375) fair market value) or (148,550 of assessed value)
•exemption will come only on one (1) dwelling on said property
•unmarried surviving spouse of a firefighter or peace officer killed in the line of duty

When Kim Cochran sat on the stage in the CHS auditorium last summer and voted 'yes' to approve a multi-million dollar charter school application given to her 30 minutes prior to the meeting, she signed her ticket out of office. Bullying, name-calling, smoke screens, and the like will NEVER undo the fiscal irresponsibility shown by Ms. Cochran and for this reason, she should be replaced.