Name: Charles G. Searcy
Age: 66
Marital/Family Status: Married to my wife Jill for 46 years and we have three sons.
Where child/children attend(ed) school: Children attended Vero Beach Elementary School, Gifford Middle School and Vero Beach High School. All three sons are graduates of the University of Florida-all with Masters Degree, one with Ph.D. Grandchildren attend Rosewood Elementary.
Years living in Indian River County: 35 years
Occupation: Credit manager for nationwide trucking/truck brokerage company for 24 years. Previously 15 years commercial banking. United States Army Veteran.
Civic Involvement (memberships, duration, positions held):
- Indian River County School Board 1996-2000
- Indian River County Public School Planning Citizens Oversight Committee for 5 years
- Appointed by former Florida Education Commissioner Frank Brogan to Educator Contracts and Performance Task Force for one year.
- Taxpayers Association 10+ years; served as President for two years and board member for numerous years.
- United Way Financial Campaign Chairman one year and Board Member four years.
- Kiwanis Club Vero Beach 17 years; Served as President two terms and as Lt. Governor Division 13 one year.
- Vero Beach Recreation Department Volunteer youth coach eight years
- Indian River County School Volunteer/Involvement includes School Advisory Council 4 years, Quarterback Club 4 years, Diamond Booster 4 years, Fighting Indian Band Booster 8 years, District Agricultural Advisory Committee 3 years, PTA member 10+ years, Judge-Future Farmers of America District Public Speaking Contest.
What issue(s) prompted you to run for Indian River County School Board and how do you plan to address it/them if elected?
- Common Core Standards – I plan to work with the legislature to allow the district to set our own standards and opt out of Common Core without a financial penalty.
- The rapidly declining grades our district received from the Department of Education: 2011-A, 2012-B, 2013-C. Recent test scores reveal 44% of our third grade students cannot read at grade level. I will work with the Superintendent to implement stronger reading and math programs in the early grades.
- Low teacher morale-Teachers are the most important link between our students and their education. I will insist on more open communication between the teachers, administration, school board, and parents. We need to standardize the curriculum and eliminate frequent major changes, and massive unnecessary paperwork needs to be eliminated. Students with continual discipline problems should be placed in an alternative learning environment. Let teachers do what they love and do best…educate our students.
- Poor communication between school board and public-I will attempt to implement a board policy that would require a board member to respond in a timely manner to questions from students, parents, and citizens.
- Legal fees – According to my information from legal professionals, the current district attorney’s compensation is excessive. The board needs to reevaluate this contract and consider local representation.
Why do you believe you are qualified to hold a seat on the School Board?
My passion has always been to improve the lives of our young people through education, and have also been involved in many community activities during my 35 years in Indian River County. In the near future the school district will face serious issues such as common core curriculum, setting budgets, performance pay for teachers and selecting a new superintendent. Having served on the board from 1996-2000, I understand the requirements of a Board member and have a record of successfully performing the job with intelligence, insight and integrity. I also understand the chain of command structure of the district and will do my job as policy maker. The superintendent will be held accountable for faithfully implementing those policies. I am totally dedicated to providing the best education possible for all students in Indian River County while establishing policies for teachers that are fair and reasonable, and will work with Board members to achieve that goal.
Given the escalating numbers of shootings occurring on school campuses – from elementary schools to colleges – across the nation, do you believe the Indian River County School District is doing enough to protect its students and staff members or does more need to be done to secure the campuses? If more needs to be done, what would you propose?
Not all student campuses have the same level of security. Ingress and egress to some campuses is insecure. I would recommend a complete review of the overall safety programs for each school site and, at minimum, recommend that access by non-students and non-staff be routed through the main office of each school. Good examples of the safety access point are the School District main office and the main access point to the Indian River County Sheriff’s office.
The Superintendent and the District staff appear to be well protected with bullet proof glass and safety locks that require screening prior to entry.
Various school districts across the nation have considered and implemented policies allowing teachers and/or staff members to carry firearms with the intent of deterring school shootings. Is this a policy you would support at Indian River County schools – why or why not?
This question is purely hypothetical since such a program is strictly prohibited by Florida Statute 790.115 which makes it illegal to possess a firearm on school property. Most of our schools have resource officers who are armed and highly trained Deputy Sheriffs. To my knowledge they have done an excellent job of maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students and staff. If guns are to be allowed on campus, extensive ongoing tactical training will be required, not just simply having a concealed carry permit. Training would require team coordination with law enforcement, resource officers and staff. If legislation is passed to allow staff to carry guns, I would be open to dialog with all interested parties regarding implementation.
The Indian River County School District, in the past, has been accused of being less than open with the community – whether it is criticism of discussion sessions not being televised and public comment not being allowed during non-business meetings or not alerting the community to potential safety issues at individual schools. Do you believe the criticism is unwarranted or do you feel the District should/could do more to invite the public in?
Yes, some of the criticism is warranted and the board could and should do more to encourage public participation. The board is not completely open with the community when it comes to allowing citizens input at workshops and board meetings. A good strong chairperson could maintain order and keep the meeting flowing smoothly by allowing citizens to speak on action items at board meetings prior to board vote. This process works for the Indian River County Commission.
In recent years, the School Board seemingly has improved its relationship with the county’s various charter schools. Do you believe the Board is doing all it can to support and encourage charters or can more be done? If more, what would you suggest?
The school board is not doing all it can to support and encourage charter schools. Capital dollars raised from the required local effort could be shared with the charter schools. We can encourage our State Representatives and Senators to find a way to allow these capital dollars to be shared. There are over two thousand students in the Charter schools and it is the district’s responsibility to make sure all students get a high quality education whether they attend a charter school or traditional public school.
Though the economy seems to be on the mend, local government budgets are still tight and municipalities are looking for ways to enhance services without increasing costs. To that end, some cities have explored the possibility of partnering with local schools to provide community meeting space or make use of the athletic fields. Is this a partnership that you would support – why or why not?
Yes, I do support this partnership and the District does well providing community meeting space. A number of churches utilize district auditoriums for their services and the performing Arts Center at Vero Beach High School and the auditorium at Sebastian River High School are both open to use by the community for a variety of events. Use of gymnasiums is also allowed for certain events. The athletic fields are not as open to the public. A continual review of the policies on use of facilities by the public should be in place and the liability exposure must be scrutinized on a regular basis.
With Schools Superintendent Dr. Fran Adam’s retirement, how would you go about finding a new superintendent? The School Board in the past has searched nationwide as well as internally. Which route would you recommend and why? What qualities would you look for in a candidate for the post and what qualifications would you expect that applicant to have?
In order to acquire the largest pool of highly qualified candidates I would favor a nationwide search. That does not mean I would ignore highly qualified local applicants. We need to find a candidate with a proven record of exceptional leadership and managerial performance, including demonstrated knowledge of school finance and budgetary issues. The prevailing candidate should bring to our community a vision of high achievement with a dedication to excellence.
How would you rate Dr. Adam’s performance as the Superintendent? With one year left for her to serve, would you propose any changes to how she conducts business on behalf of the school district?
The decline in overall grade from the Department of Education over the last 3 years speaks for itself. During that period the district grade has dropped a letter grade each year and has fallen to an overall grade of C. These grades reflect on the educational leadership of our school district and its performance. As the educational leader of the Indian River County School District, Dr. Adams needs to work more closely with the board, staff and parents to develop policy and standards that will reverse the current unacceptable trend.
It has come to VeroNews.com’s attention that, with a new board seated, anyone on the board could raise the issue of the new administration complex and wellness center and request a new vote. This means the two projects might not be the “done deal” some have suggested. If elected, would you raise the issue of either project and ask for a new vote in an attempt to stop the project? If so, why?
As a fiscal conservative, I have many unanswered questions regarding the necessity, economic feasibility, cost of termination and impact on monies that could be earmarked for the classroom. An in-depth review and analysis of these projects and the legally binding commitments in existence is in order. Only then can one make an informed decision with respect to whether or not to ask for a new vote. The board should be continually cognizant of the primary responsibility of the district which is to provide high quality education for our children.
What do you want readers to know about you or your candidacy that they might not already know?
I’m a fiscal conservative with a strong financial background which includes 15 years in commercial banking and 24 years as a credit manager for a nationwide trucking /truck brokerage company. I will ask intelligent questions after thorough review and research of the issues presented to the Board and I will expect staff and students to prove their dedication with hard work and better academic achievement.