[divide icon=”” margin_top=”40px” margin_bottom=”20px” color=”#”]
Rick Wimberly
[divide icon=”” margin_top=”40px” margin_bottom=”20px” color=”#”]
Rick Wimberly is a member of the Williamson County School Board and represents District 9. We asked Mr. Wimberly about the current issues with school transportation, teacher salary and more.
1. What led you to run for School Board?
I have a passion for education in my DNA. My father was a school superintendent. His father was the first school board chairman of our county in middle Georgia. His father ran for Congress on a platform advocating state support of education. My wife is a teacher. Two of our four children are in education. I’ve been volunteering for years, partly through the Destination Imagination creative problem-solving program for students. But, more importantly, I saw an opportunity to put my experiences with strategic thinking to work for something very important about which I care deeply.
2.How would you describe your experience so far?
People often say being on a school board is the toughest job in the community. I disagree. It’s a great job. No doubt, it has challenges. But, it’s a honor to be involved in the development and education of the students of this community. It’s very rewarding work, despite frustrations.
3. We recently reported on issues about the current bus transportation situation in Williamson County. How aware is the board of the growing public displeasure and how soon do you think they can fix it?
The Board is painfully aware of the challenges with transportation. We talk about it often. Most importantly, Dr. Looney and his team, including a new transportation director, are empowered to take action, which they are currently doing. How long will it take? With our growth, I’m not sure that it can ever be completely fixed…but, be assured that we have real smart and dedicated people working on it.
4. Recently, we ran an article from Zippia that says Williamson County ranks #1 as the most expensive place for teachers to live in the state comparative to salary. They did just receive a 5% raise, however, they are not the highest paid teachers in the state according to this study. However, out of county teachers also didn’t get the tuition break for their children that was verbally promised by the county and then not voted through in the last budget (feel free to correct me if I am wrong on this). How hard is the tightrope balance in getting and keeping quality teachers in the county and getting the county BOMA to agree?
It’s hard to imagine anyone arguing that we don’t need to continue to increase teacher pay in Williamson County. We’re working on it. For the most part, we’ve been getting support from the community and County Commission. Most commissioners seem to understand that we need to reward the outstanding performance our teachers give us, and that we need to be competitive. That’s particularly true for the earlier years of a teacher’s career, an area where we pay significantly less than some area districts. A key piece to improving the teacher pay situation is for the public to let their feelings be known.
I struggle with tuition for out-of-county teachers. It’s an expensive benefit that would go to a relatively small percentage of our teachers. If we give this benefit to some teachers, is it fair to others? If we give this benefit to teachers, is it fair to other county employees who live outside Williamson County? It’s not a simple, or inexpensive matter. I suspect we’ll continue to talk about it.
5. Textbooks: This seems to be an increasingly hot button issue, especially among some board members, and some who wish to be. How do you look at how we evaluate what should be used in classrooms?
We have highly trained professionals who operate under strict guidelines and standards established by the state and the school board. They are very, very diligent and do an excellent job. Plus, parents have every right, even obligation, to review their children’s textbooks and address any concerns with teachers. If they’re not comfortable with what they find in the textbooks, it will be addressed by the teacher. In the unlikely event their concerns are not addressed, the parent should go to the principal. If they’re still not satisfied, they should go to central office…then, to the school board. I’ve seen the news articles about textbooks, but heard very little concern from parents.
6. Finally, you get 3 wishes to better our school system–what are they?
My first wish would be for more focus on big picture ideas and issues that can make a real impact on our students and community. We have a tremendous opportunity to better train our students to be the real problem-solvers of the future, but we need to focus on the things that really matter. That includes, foremost, the county’s strategic plan for education. Plus, Dr. Looney has laid out 6 Big Ideas that clearly need attention of the school board and the public.
Secondly, I think any member on any public school board would put funding on the list. We don’t need an open checkbook, and must remain doggedly diligent about the way we spend taxpayer money. But, we historically get increases in our budget only to address pressing growth issues. Our parent groups raise millions of dollars each year to fill gaps, and gaps still remain. If the public wants those gaps filled, they need to make that known so the people who control the purse strings can respond. So, my second wish would be to have more community engagement on school funding issues.
My third wish would be that my first two wishes come true. That may sound like a flippant response, but the real job of a school board should be to focus on big ideas for betterment, the strategic plan, and development of resources through responsible funding.
Read Also: 5 Questions With Ann McGraw, District 4
