FB Star Reports FBISD Candidates Positions--see below--

http://www.fortbendstar.com/042110/n_localcity.htm

Clay Alumbaugh

Alumbaugh has 39 years experience in education and has been a Math teacher and school counselor having worked at Dulles, Clements and Kempner High Schools. He said he “heeded the call for an experienced educator and manager to join the board and give it some balance in these hard economic times” and also said, “the board has lost touch with the community and its employees.”

He acknowledges what he says is the district’s nearly three consecutive years of first ever record deficits and says he can help get the budget back on track. He said that the school board should first be about educating students, which can only be done if the system is not in constant financial turmoil.

Deficit spending, the Global Science Center, the jobs to be eliminated, and lack of someone on the board to ask questions are among his concerns. With reductions in personnel inevitable, he states that he thinks it is important for students, teachers and support personnel not to be the ones absorbing all of the cuts and that the administration at the top should not be exempt from tightening their belts.

Alumbaugh said that being frugal is one thing he brings to the board of trustees. He said he has spent $500 of his own on the campaign and does not ask nor accept donations...

FBN: Taking A Closer Look At The Budget!

Online Forum: http://www.fortbendnow.com/2010/04/15/45171

"In addition we need to find out where there is waste and end it. The best way to find out where money is wasted is to ask the employees."

FortBendNow: Clay Alumbaugh

If it is truly the fault of the legislature, we need to get the voters involved. Pressure needs to be put on state senators and congressmen to do something. They listen to their contributors but they answer to the voters. I personally will contact our legislators and get their input about our situation.

In addition we need to find out where there is waste and end it. The best way to find out where money is wasted is to ask the employees. The district employees should be allowed to express their opinions on how to cut waste and they should be allowed to do this anonymously.

We also need to find a way to cut costs without cutting staff. This is another area where the district employees need to be involved. With 10000 employees brainstorming something good should come from it.

Chron: Alumbaugh Concerned About Financial Crisis But Has A Plan!

"All three candidates agreed that the controversial Global Center for Science and Technology project is inappropriate during the financial hard time. Alumbaugh proposed putting the undertaking “on permanent hold.” Chronicle

FBISD financial crisis concerns candidates
April 2, 2010 6:33 am Election News wrote:
By ZEN T.C. ZHENG
HOUSTON CHRONICLE

Candidates seeking two Fort Bend ISD school board seats shared concerns about the district’s financial crisis and offered a variety of ideas to tackle the problem.

Making their appearance at a candidates’ forum held by a district teacher and worker union Tuesday night were Clay Alumbaugh and Jim Rice, who are vying for Position 3 being vacated by Bob Broxson, and Jim Babb, who is eyeing David Reitz’s Position 7. Both incumbents are not seeking re-election on May 8...

Full release: http://www.ultimatefortbend.com/2010/04/fbisd-financial-crisis-tops-candidates-concerns