Gale Hairston

School board race TAX LEVY ISSUE The business of education Total district operating revenues District spending and enrollment History of tax levy increases About the new tax levy Paying those employees Measuring student achievement How Columbia compares	Gale "Hap" Hairston [IN-DEPTH PROFILE] With his work as director of educator preparation at the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and experience as an elementary school principal, Gale “Hap” Hairston says he understands the problems facing Columbia schools. Hairston puts funding at the top of his list. “The key thing is asking people to invest in their kids,” he said. Hairston supports the proposed 54-cent property tax levy increase. He said public schools are working during a time when federal and state dollars are decreasing and budgets must be built on steady streams of income. He said the board will need to make some tough decisions and that his experience will help with that process. “The bottom line is if we are going to succeed as a community, one of the most important things we can do is have strong public schools,” Hairston said. Hairston said the district’s second most important issue is curriculum. He thinks it is critical to be on top of what students need in the classroom today and to be willing to change if the curriculum doesn’t work. CCTA survey response In a survey conducted by teachers and parents groups, here is part of Hairston’s response to this question: What budget issues and solutions do you see for the Columbia Public Schools in the next five years? “We must continue to foster and improve our working relationship with city and county government as well as work with economic developers to bring new employers to our community without giving up our tax revenues. It is also important to work with the state and federal governments to increase their levels of support.” ELEONORA BARAK \| news@columbiamissourian.com

School board race

TAX LEVY ISSUE

The business of education

With his work as director of educator preparation at the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and experience as an elementary school principal, Gale “Hap” Hairston says he understands the problems facing Columbia schools. Hairston puts funding at the top of his list.

“The key thing is asking people to invest in their kids,” he said.

Hairston supports the proposed 54-cent property tax levy increase. He said public schools are working during a time when federal and state dollars are decreasing and budgets must be built on steady streams of income. He said the board will need to make some tough decisions and that his experience will help with that process.

“The bottom line is if we are going to succeed as a community, one of the most important things we can do is have strong public schools,” Hairston said.

Hairston said the district’s second most important issue is curriculum. He thinks it is critical to be on top of what students need in the classroom today and to be willing to change if the curriculum doesn’t work.

CCTA survey response
In a survey conducted by teachers and parents groups, here is part of Hairston’s response to this question: What budget issues and solutions do you see for the Columbia Public Schools in the next five years?

“We must continue to foster and improve our working relationship with city and county government as well as work with economic developers to bring new employers to our community without giving up our tax revenues. It is also important to work with the state and federal governments to increase their levels of support.”

ELEONORA BARAK | news@columbiamissourian.com