Friday, May 1, 2009

League of Women Voters election survey: Larry Duncan, candidate for Dallas County Schools Board of Trustees, at-large position

By Staff of League of Women Voters

The League of Women Voters of Dallas sent a questionnaire to every candidate running for public office in Dallas County. The election on May 9 features a race for the Dallas County Schools Board of Trustees, in which four candidates are running for two at-large seats.

The responses of incumbent Larry Duncan appear below. Duncan is running against Homer Fincannon, Mary Darby, and Cassie Gandara.

Larry Duncan

LWV: Please describe your education and professional experience that qualifies you for a position on the Dallas County Schools (DCS) Board of Trustees?

Duncan: DCS Trustee since 2003, Board President since 2005; four terms Dallas City Council; President, Dallas Homeowners League 4 terms; Member, National Association of Eagle Scouts; US Army, Vietnam, Bronze Star Medal; Bachelor of Arts, Drake University; Master of Liberal Arts, SMU; 22 years developing computer software.

LWV: If elected, what improvements would you advocate to increase efficiency and reduce operational costs at DCS?

Duncan: Under my leadership, DCS is reducing skyrocketing fuel costs, dependence on foreign oil and stifling air pollution by converting gasoline engines to natural gas and diesel engines to biodiesel and donated waste vegetable oil. DCS is also extending services to ISD's outside Dallas County and to other government entities, improving their services, reducing their expenses, and reducing burden on Dallas taxpayers by sharing development costs, economies of scale, etc.

LWV: DCS has a number of services (transportation, technology, psychology, and media) where it provides efficiency through sharing services. Should DCS consider offering other services under a shared agreement? If so, what services?

Duncan: Additionally DCS offers teacher recertification courses at no cost to teachers in Dallas County ISD's, a worker's comp network, and emergency evacuations from every hurricane since Rita. Under my leadership, DCS continues increasing and improving services, while reducing costs (see #2). DCS is developing new offerings: biometric time/ attendance; RFID student attendance; GPS fleet tracking/routing; digital vehicle/passenger security; monitoring buildings; fleet maintenance; custodial and professional services (accounting, etc.).

LWV: Many local teachers and librarians are not aware that DCS maintains an extensive media library of instructional materials and a large technology network that are available to local school districts at no charge. What would you do to promote increased awareness of these valuable resources?

Duncan: DCS' outreach program instituted under my leadership has dramatically increased awareness. DCS communicates through ISD's as much as permitted. We communicate directly to educators: mailing through professional organizations; advertizing through professional journals and the internet; and presenting to meetings, seminars and conventions. I personally speak each month at numerous education forums and meetings; professional associations; schools; PTA's; neighborhood, business, and civic groups; both to promote existing services and to learn what other services are needed.

LWV: The legislature mandated that seat belts be installed in all school buses subject to some funding from the state. To date, the state has not provided any funding. How can this safety measure be implemented?

Duncan: NO legislative mandate is in effect for seat belt installation. But our children's safety is my primary concern. Under my leadership, DCS is the only district in Texas requiring seat belts on all new buses and retrofitting our existing fleet; $750,000 last year, $500,000 this year and we'll continue until completion. DCS is lobbying legislature to permit school bus stop-arm cameras to ticket drivers that endanger our children, directing fines to speed seat belt retrofit.

Pegasus News content partner - League of Women Voters

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