Arkansas Blog: Following the money

Campaign reports were due today in races for Little Rock School Board. The reports are usually so piddling that they rarely rate a second glance.

But this year, there’s a hotly contested race for the Zone 3 seat on the board. The race for that open seat pits lawyer Carol Roddy, who has the backing of the Little Rock Classroom Teachers, against Melanie Fox, who’s been active at the Forest Park School and a member of the board of the Little Rock Public Education Foundation.

The candidates themselves have been nuanced on the issue, but merit pay is a hot topic in the race. Roddy says she’s open to it, but suggests the board hasn’t brought teachers into the process and she’s been critical of a system tied strictly to test scores. Fox says she’s open to it, but also wants to hear what teachers have to say. She makes a point of saying she was not on the foundation board when it served as a conduit for money sent secretly in support of merit pay by Democrat-Gazette publisher Walter Hussman. His money started an experimental plan that was begun without public notice or review by the school board and then expanded in a similarly secretive fashion.

Contributions tend to support the perception that Roddy is more friendly to the teachers organization and Fox more friendly to the those who dislike the Classroom Teachers Association.

An uncommonly large amount has been raised for an unpaid and often thankless job. In reports filed Tuesday, Fox said she had raised $32,695 and spent $16,258. Roddy reported raising $10,711 and said she has spent nearly all of it, $9,461. If money talks, Fox will dominate the discussion the final week of the campaign.

Roddy’s contributions, mostly in the $100 range, include several from Little Rock school teachers, state Reps. Sam Ledbetter and Jay Bradford; Central Arkansas Library System director Bobby Roberts, and Rich Nagle, director of the Arkanas Education Association Her biggest contributions include $500 from James Allred, who’s retired; $2,000 from the Little Rock Classroom Teachers Association, and $500 from Grainger Ledbetter, director of the CTA.

Fox’s husband Jeff is an executive at Alltel and more than $17,000 of her money came from her family and those of other Alltel or Windstream executives, including $1,000 from Randy and Judy Wilbourn; $2,000 from John Ebner; $4,000 from Rick and Ann Massey; $4,000 from Scott and DeDe Ford; and $2,000 from Joe T. Ford. A number of Stephens Inc. executives, including Curt Bradbury, appear on the list, as do a number of Fox’s neighbors in Prospect Terrace. Her other big contributions include $1,000 each from contractor William Clark, builder Wayne Moore and U.S. Attorney Bud Cummins, and $1,000 from the Progress Political Action Committee, whose officers are Rett Tucker and Gary Smith.

Comments

Fox probably doesn't want some of her money talking - specifically the thousands upon thousands of dollars she's fruitlessly invested in opponents of Vic Snyder. With the help of her husband, she gave SIX THOUSAND to Bud Cummins, $4200 to Andy "Pro Vouchers" Mayberry.

(Not to mention the champion of No Child Left Behind, George W Bush, who has received FIVE THOUSAND)

Go to http://www.opensecrets.org and see for themselves. Shame on us for letting her outFox us this long

Posted by: Sam Faubus | September 12, 2006 07:31 PM

Both candidates are good, solid people. Roddy will surely be more sympathetic to the CTA, but she's smart and responsible. When the CTA acts like a bunch of mobsters, Roddy's instincts will be to distance herself. Campaign contributions will not buy her. Fox is closer to the business crowd - both the ones who have foresaken public education and the ones who have been diehard supporters. She's energetic, shows some savvy for a first time candidate, and she's got a stellar record of volunteering in the schools. Frankly, it's hard to choose between the two. Either would do a fine job. But I'm leaning to Fox, knowing she's in a position to give it virtually all of her time and energy. We'll be well served no matter who wins, but I hope the loser finds a way to stay engaged. Melanie and Carol, thanks to both of you for offering yourself for a mostly thankless job.

Posted by: PVNasby | September 12, 2006 07:31 PM

The horror, the outrage! Fox took no money from Hussman or the Waltons. Surely that must be wrong, she is a tool of those who want to undermine public schools, right? Wrong. Fox has shown her dedication to public schools by putting her money where her mouth is. She has volunteered her time through PTA, serves as a substitute teacher and has actually attended school board meetings for years. It is time to stop villifying her and time to applaud her for her interest in and support for Little Rock public education. Thanks Melanie. We need more like you.

Posted by: mouthinfreely | September 12, 2006 08:29 PM

Tough race...

Seeing more and more of Roddy's signs...which is good news...

Posted by: rosso | September 12, 2006 10:13 PM

I don't have a dog in this hunt, so to speak, but if Sam Faubus is correct I would not vote for Fox.
Since I'm not in the position to protest publicly against the republicans, I have a private way of protesting.
I keep up with the people in my town who contribute to the party I oppose, and I don't do business with them.
I have changed my doctor, my lawyer, and my investment broker during the past three years. I don't shop at WalMart, either.
My grandpa always said "Put your money where your mouth is," and I am trying to live up to that.

Posted by: BlueRidge | September 12, 2006 11:23 PM

How does the fundraising in Zone 3 compare to other races?

I actually have no problem w/ either candidate raising a lot of money. I do find it funny that Fox--chastised for being bought and paid for by the Hussmans/Waltons--has no contributions from those folks. There goes that theory.

Best of luck to them both. I'm voting for Fox simply because she's been there and done it. She really appears to be in this for the public service, which I kind of dig. Her macro-political views may differ from mine, but this is a non-partisan race. Go Fox Go!

ARK. BLOG Nothing else comes close. Charles Armstrong, opposing Tony Rose, got $2,000 in contributions, all from the CTA. Incumbent Tom Brock raised $1,600, $1,000 of it from the PAC headed by Rett Tucker and Gary Smith.

Posted by: rockstar | September 12, 2006 11:29 PM

The Fords have their children in private schools, so why is the CEO of Alltel investing big bucks in the public school board election?

Posted by: Roland | September 13, 2006 06:43 AM

Since when did having a child in public schools become a requirement to care about the future of public education? I thought if you lived in the community and paid property taxes that was enough. And just because Scott Ford puts his kids in private schools that shouldn't rub off on Melanie Fox. Melanie and Jeff have plenty of money to pay for private schooling but they chose to put their children in public schools. Melanie Fox puts her money where her mouth is. She not only sends her kids to public schools she is involved. PTA leader, substitute teacher and frequent attender at school board meetings says she doesn't just talk a good game. Scott Ford is not on the ballot. The name on the ballot is Mleanie Fox .

Posted by: mouthinfreely | September 13, 2006 09:48 AM

Roland:

How in the world do we get people like you to understand why the CEO of Alltel would contribute to a public school board race?

It doesn't matter where your children attend school -- or even if you HAVE children. Every person in every community benefits from a strong public school system. If LRSD is a struggling school district, then Alltel has a tough time recruiting potential employees to the area. That's why we allow ALL registered voters to vote in a school board race or a millage campaign, not just teachers and parents. That means they can make financial contributions, too.

Obviously Scott Ford has confidence in Melanie Fox that she will provide the kind of leadership that will lead to an improved school district.

Posted by: marvel | September 13, 2006 10:10 AM

Personally I trust the opinion of the people who work in the schools as to who would be the best school board member. Although I would never condem anyone for participating, I don't see teachers trying to run Altell or any other corporation. There is a reason the teacher's are supporting Carol Roddy. They recognize that she is not going to soly represent their views, however they know that she will do what is best for all the students of the district, not one small segment. It is time that someone without blinders on holds that seat. Carol Roddy is the best candiate.

Posted by: Yonwood | September 13, 2006 01:03 PM

Melanie Fox has the drive and the ability to make an impact in the LRSD. I know her personally and if elected, she will not only represent Zone 3 well, but be an advocate for the entire district. Every donor to her campaign believes in her and knows how hard she will work for our community. Melanie roll up her sleeves and get in there and work for our schools. That is a benefit to us all. My vote goes to Melanie Fox.

Posted by: Iboo | September 13, 2006 01:26 PM

Posted by: Iboo | September 13, 2006 01:27 PM

Melanie Fox has the drive and the ability to make an impact in the LRSD. I know her personally and if elected, she will not only represent Zone 3 well, but be an advocate for the entire district. Every donor to her campaign believes in her and knows how hard she will work for our community. Melanie will roll up her sleeves and get in there and work for our schools. That is a benefit to us all. My vote goes to Melanie Fox.

Posted by: Iboo | September 13, 2006 01:28 PM

Arkansas Blog

Following the money

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