Editor’s note: The following questionnaire was sent to Republican candidates for State Board of Education, District 8, who qualified to appear on the June 5 primary election ballot. The News Courier sent questionnaires to all candidates who have opposition in the upcoming primary. Responses have been checked for spelling, but they otherwise appear as we received them. Campaign finance reports for candidates will be published as space allows.

Name: Wayne Reynolds, Ed.D

Age: 71

Hometown: Columbus, Georgia

Current city of residence: Athens, Alabama

Occupation: National Treasurer/CFO Vietnam Veterans of America

Education: (high school, college, etc.) BSED University of Georgia; MBA University of Georgia;

Ed.D Statistics Auburn University

Personal: (names of spouse, children, grandchildren) Wife: Carol; daughter: Paige Walker; son: Wesley Reynolds, MD.; 2 grandchildren

Seat/position you are seeking: State Board of Education, District 8

Previous political experience: Republican State Executive Committee, 12 years; Limestone Republican Executive Committee, 12 years; 30 years in public education, including 10 as superintendent.

Military: U.S. Army 1966-69, including 1968-69 as medic in Vietnam

• The state school board ran afoul of the U.S. Department of Education last year after it was found the board has released inflated and erroneous graduation rates. Test scores, particularly in math, have been down statewide. Prior to losing his job as governor, Robert Bentley was quoted as saying our public schools “suck.” Some critics of the state school board have said the school board is part of the problem. As an elected school board member, what would you do to restore credibility to the board?

The report to the U.S. Department of Education was a fraudulent act by the SBOE and the State Superintendent. I would immediately insist the SBOE take responsibility for education in Alabama. The SBOE has become dysfunctional. We have had 5 State Superintendents since March 2016. Our current State Superintendent, Dr. Eric Mackey, was elected recently on a 5 to 4 vote. The current SBOE is still functioning under the “Common Core” mandates and that must change to a system which returns the Course of Study and Curriculum course content to Alabama School Systems. Simply stated, the State Board of Education must start doing its job. If the SBOE is to be credible then it must act responsibly and with integrity.

• School safety is an issue that was prevalent during the last state legislative session. Gov. Kay Ivey’s SAFE Council recently released its report on how to best protect school children. Highlights of the report included more funding for building security, a greater focus on identifying those with mental health issues and more training for school personnel. Still, there are some lawmakers who believe school personnel should be allowed to carry a firearm on school grounds. In your opinion, what’s the best solution for ensuring school safety?

The best solution is a blending of actions that start at the local Board of Education. The Local Board of Education must be given flexibility to use funds as they decide what to do. We need more armed resources in the schools. We need to “harden” each school as targets; use technology, including closed-circuit surveillance, remote door locks/releases, configured entrances to schools to provide controlled access. I agree that identifying threats is a priority. Our students and staff must be educated on threat identification and understand that they are the “front line” of defense. The Legislature has a function in the process, but it is the 8 State Board of Education members, not the 35 Senators or the 105 State Representatives, that must lead the way and accept responsibility.

• The District 8 seat on the Alabama School Board covers not only Limestone County, but also DeKalb, Etowah, Jackson and Madison counties. What assurances can you provide that Limestone County will receive equal and fair representation in Montgomery?

I will represent everyone in District 8 on the State. I have met with every local Superintendent, most School Boards, County Commissions, and City Councils. District 8 is a diverse population with many School Systems. My background in Education and Business prepare me to represent all of SBOE District 8. I know most of the current SBOE members, and they know I am a man of action. I will begin to change the SBOE on my first day in office. If elected, I will represent 1/8th of the State and move expeditiously to return the SBOE to its Constitutional role and statutory obligations. The SBOE will work with the Legislature and Constitutional Officers. The State Board of Education will accept responsibility for Education in Alabama. The SBOE will provide oversight to the State Superintendent and institute policies to guide and oversee the Alabama State Department of Education.