Background: Hughes is 42 years old, single and has no children. She earned a B.S. degree in pharmacy from the Medical College of Virginia and works as a pharmacist at Danville Regional Medical Center. Hughest was born and raised in Danville.

1). Why are you running for a seat on the Danville School Board?

I have been on the School Board since 2003. My appointment came at a difficult time in the School District’s history. The first years proved to be quite a learning experience. There was a lot of time spent trying to get the System, as I referred to it then

"The Body" repaired and on a forward course. I am excited about the progress that Danville Public Schools has made, and I hope to be a part of continued success. Many people ask why I would want to be on the School Board if I don’t have children of my own. The answer is simple. The children who pass through Danville Public Schools will play a part in the society in which I hope to grow old. The impact on that society can be a positive, or a negative one. I want them to have the best possible chance to make it a positive one.

2). Are Danville’s schools getting enough money from Danville City Council?

I believe that City Council understands and appreciates the vital part the school system plays in producing a viable workforce for any type of industry we attempt to attract to the area. Council also understands our need to offer competitive salaries for teachers to be attracted to and retained in the system. I am confident that Council takes the needs I have mentioned into consideration when deciding how much funding to give Danville Public Schools. I think it would be wonderful to offer appropriate tuition reimbursement for teachers who are currently in the system as they seek to attain "highly qualified" status. It would also be great to be able to assist the paraprofessionals in attaining "highly qualified" status as well. My wish list could go on for a while....

3). What are your views on the SOLs and the No Child Left Behind Act? Have they helped or harmed public education in Danville?

I understand the rationale behind SOL’s and NCLB. I agree that it is necessary to have some method to measure the quality of education students receive. I know that there is a great deal of pressure placed on the system to achieve. Can you imagine that real estate values might be impacted by standardized test results? The pressure can be felt from central administration, to the classroom teacher, and even to children and parents. Many educators have felt so pushed for results that they describe essentially "teaching the test". If this happens, I believe that some creativity may be lost while trying to make sure a child will be able to answer a particular set of questions. Isn’t this close to saying that any information that is not on the test isn’t worth teaching or knowing?

4). Is the school system adequately preparing its students for the work force?

One of the things that I think the System does an excellent job of is keeping abreast of the needs of businesses in the community, state, and country. With this information, the system is able to structure programs to prepare students. There is just as much emphasis placed on courses to prepare students to enter the workforce quickly as there is on the ones which prepare students for higher education. I would like to se continued growth of these course offerings. I don’t believe we should stop with "adequate". I wouldn’t want an adequate doctor, pharmacist, or electrician, would you?

5). Are their programs within Danville Public Schools that deserve more funding? What are they and why are they important?

There are a wide range of programs offered at Galileo and George Washington High Schools. I have been pleased to see the expansion of the Health Careers and Technology Studies Academies. I am extremely excited about the dual enrollment opportunities offered in Criminal Justice, Computer Art, and Pre-Calculus at the John M. Langston Campus. All of the programs in the schools are reviewed according to School Board policy to make sure that they are offering the best possible learning experience for our students. If something is not working, or needs to be adjusted to meet a growing or declining need, then proper steps are taken. I would love to see as many programs as possible implemented designed to close the educational gap in this community.
 
6). How would you grade Superintendent Sue Davis on her job performance?

As I stated earlier, I came on to the Board at a turbulent time in the District’s history. A great part of getting the system on track has been having a head that understands this community and has solid relationships within and outside of the system. I think Dr. Davis has done a good job of implementing the vision this Board has set for Danville Public Schools.

7). How serious is the gang problem in particular, and the crime problem in general, in Danville Public Schools?

If there is a gang problem at all, then it is serious. The Student Code of Conduct is an ever-evolving document that spells out what is expected of students who attend Danville Public Schools. The Code is changed when any problematic behavior is identified. The enforcement of the Code of Conduct is the way we create a conducive learning environment for our students. There are specific citations for actions that might be considered gang-related to accompany older references to things like bullying. We should look at the kinds of things that cause children to join gangs. Are there children in our schools who don’t have the best supervision? Yes. Are there students who need a sense of self-worth? Yes. Are there children who need a sense of belonging and/or commitment? Yes. There are also children who need companionship, training, excitement and activities. This need may be the most readily met by expansion of the middle school athletics programs as funds permit. Programs to help develop social and interpersonal skills could also go along way in counteracting negative behaviors.

8). How would you cope with declining enrollment and the state and federal budget cuts that would come with that?

This system has been coping with declining enrollment for some time now. Adjustment have been made throughout the system based on class size variations, and other factors. I believe there is an equation that take in to account all of these variables that would make Dr, Polhamus proud. Needs and resources are, and will continue to be, used with the greatest efficiency in Danville Public Schools.