Left In Lowell

We sent out our questionnaires for each city race over two weeks ago, and though I was hoping that all or most of the candidates would take advantage of this opportunity to reach out to voters, we did get a decent turnout.

First up, the Technical School Committee questionnaire. We got a response from Fred Bahou, a challenger. Though there are four slots and only two incumbents are running besides Mr. Bahou, we are glad to post Mr. Bahou’s answers here (PDF format). Answers from the other races are forthcoming.

The following is the list of questions which were sent on this questionnaire:
1. How do you think the MCAS scores affect students at Greater Lowell Technical School, and how do we mitigate any negative effect?
2. What is your view on M-CAS requirements for graduation?
3. Per-pupil spending and teacher salaries rank in the top 50, and our teachers are highly qualified, according to statistics from 2002-2005 reported by Boston.com. Yet the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability placed the school on “watch” in 2005 for low performance. In your opinion, is this still the case? If yes, how will you address this? Do you feel the standards are unfair for vocational schools?
4. According to the same statistics, the number of students per computer is 8.3, which ranks 279 out of 327 districts. Do you feel that computer access at the Technical School is adequate?
5. The same stats show a student attendance rate of 92.4%, making Greater Lowell Technical number 310 out of 328 districts. The average absentee rate of students is 14 days per year. How would you address this problem?
6. How can the Technical High School serve low-income students better?
7. The school turns down a lot of that apply and are deemed qualified do to lack of space. Are you committed to putting the expansion of the school on a fast track? If yes, what will be your approach?
8. Do you think Lowell gets its fair share of student number allocation and how do you respond to those who suggest that Lowell’s representation is disproportionate?
9. What is your opinion of comments made by some that students at the Technical High School who become disciplinary problems are not kept at the school but dismissed and sent to Lowell High School for that entity to deal with these difficult students?