After her surprise election last week to head the embattled Fayette County Board of Education, The Citizen's Pat Newman asked newly elected Chairman Debbie Condon to share her thoughts and opinions on current issues facing the board Friday. She succeeds Woody Shelnutt as chair. Shelnutt stepped down last week, citing personal reasons for relinquishing the job. He will serve out his term for Post 2. Condon is a six-year member of the board.

Question: Did your nomination for the chair come as a surprise?

Answer: "I have been approached by people in the community for about the last year, but I really never gave it much thought. I am very aware of all the time and work Mr. Shelnutt put into it and it's a huge commitment. One can never predict how a vote can go, and I never asked for the job.

But I agonized over the decision for months that if I was nominated, would I accept it? I probably decided in the middle of December that if I was voted for it, I would accept it.

I appreciate the confidence the two new board members have in my ability. I know I have a lot of work to do. I hope all five of us can work together. As far as it being three to two, I hope that's not the way it comes across. Hopefully, everyone will vote their conscience and do the best for the children of Fayette County. We all need to keep personalities out of it."

Q.: What changes would you like to affect?

A.: "I'd like to convey that we are willing to listen... we might not always agree, we might not always do what they want us to do, but we're willing to listen. I think we (board) need to explain ourselves better. I was very hurt when I read newspaper articles and letters from people who blamed the defeat of the SPLOST (Special Local Option Sales Tax) on lack of trust with the school board. I hope in the next year or two we can change that; restore that feeling [of trust]."

Q.: What has been accomplished by the board in the last six years?

A.: "We have almost $85 million worth of construction. We got a $58 million bond referendum passed; we received money from the state in addition. We have created two new high schools, three elementary schools and one middle school.

There have been numerous additions to many other buildings such as Tyrone and Huddleston Elementary. People forget the extent of the construction program we have been through the last six years.

We have started the alternative school. We started the night high school which has been very successful. We have gone from an elected superintendent, to an appointed one. We have done such things as worked on consistent discipline policies throughout all of our schools. We are trying to publish more materials to keep people better informed."

Q.: What about construction of a stadium and athletic facilities at the south complex (Starr's Mill High School, Rising Star Middle School and Peeples Elementary)?

A.: "In December we were asked to vote to put a $3.1 million stadium down there or nothing. There was no room for compromise. When we talked about a stadium at the south complex, it was always that it would be as nice as Sandy Creek.

I am all for a stadium at the south complex. But when money is so very tight, and there are so many needs, I can't justify putting a stadium complex in down there that is twice as expensive as what would be functional.

I don't believe that information has been given out to the public. We were given no options. It wasn't could you build one like Sandy Creek or could you phase it in. It was all or nothing. It's hard to say no, it's hard to have people be mad at you in the newspaper. To be mad at you when they don't understand the budgetary constraints."

Q.: Parents from Brooks are not willing to accept the current redistricting plan. What can you tell them?

A.: "I don't believe that the situation was explained to them properly and therefore, it was hard for them to see the big picture. And the fact that it wasn't explained in enough detail. They didn't realize that it was a school system proposal by the transportation director and not a parent-generated proposal."

Q.: Why did you originally decide to run for school board six years ago? What are your qualifications?

A.: "I have a bachelors degree in education. I have a masters degree in curriculum and instruction. I taught middle school language arts in Louisiana until the birth of my first child 18 years ago.

My intention was always to go back to teaching when my third son got into school, but I became so involved with my volunteer activities that there wasn't time. My husband traveled a great deal, he worked in international sales. I was volunteering at the elementary school all the time. I was PTO president of Peachtree City Elementary for two years.

I can tell you why I decided to run. When they were doing the redistricting for Whitewater Middle School and Sandy Creek High School and people were very angry and making all sorts of accusations and I thought to myself, well I might not always tell people what they want to hear but I could be honest with them. I ran to help."

Q.: How do you see your role as chairman?

A.: "I'm going to make mistakes, I'm human. I've never done it before. Mr. Shelnutt never missed a meeting the two years I was vice-chair. I think there's something to be said for that. I've never had the opportunity to run a meeting. I need to go to training.

I want to do a good job. We need to hire a superintendent. We need to address how we are going to fund our capital improvements. We cannot keep pulling money out of our operating budget. Call me extremely conservative, but I will not continue to do this. We are not assured of the tax digest continuing to grow in this county."

Q.: What is their role of the school board?