The incumbent and the challenger for Christian County School Board in district 5 squared off Monday evening at a League of Women Voter’s debate.
Incumbent Tom Bell is facing Mark Graham in the November general election and this race is non-partisan. Many important topics were discussed, including taxes, early childhood education, improving test scores and school ratings, and understanding new policies.
Building needs in the community was addressed, with Bell stating that Hopkinsville High School is in particular need of repairs and the district has created a long range plan.
Graham says Hopkinsville High School has been allowed to go into disrepair, along with other schools, and something needs to be done to correct the problem.
Bell rebutted that the school board just recently approved reroofing projects at the high school to fix the issue and Graham responded that it should have never been allowed to get to that point.
When asked how they would fund renovations or build a new school, Graham says no one likes to raise taxes but sometimes you have to and make sure those tax dollars are spent efficiently. Bell stated that discussions about a ‘mega-school’ need to stop, and any renovations or new construction would be at the will of the public.
Hear the debate in full:
https://soundcloud.com/user-350001776/lwv-district-5-school-board-debate