RANTOUL -- The six candidates for the Rantoul Township High School board discussed their views and perspectives for the three open board seats at a recent candidate forum.

The candidates are incumbents Janet Brotherton, Merle Wilson and Mary Bolser; and challengers Roger Quinlan, Paula Bishop and Edwin Everly.

"What is the one thing you hope to accomplish if elected, and how would you accomplish it?"

Bishop: She hopes to build "the morale of the students and the community as a whole. I think being very supportive myself and being positive and showing that positive things are happening at the school" is how to accomplish that.

Bolser: Improving state test scores is at the top of her priority list, adding that the issue is an item of discussion with every school in Illinois and "mostly throughout the country. It is up to the local schools to provide a plan of action, and I think that the school board should support the administration in that plan to improve schools."

"What common goals should our school board and village board have and why?"

Brotherton: RTHS "should collaborate and use resources that we have." She listed an example: If RTHS had a project that involved park equipment, then the school should collaborate with the park district. "We should also incorporate the feeder schools such as Gifford, Ludlow, Thomasboro and Prairieview(-Ogden). ... When everybody is taking funding issues, we have to network our resources. We have to have collaboration."

Everly: Parental involvement "would improve our test scores and grades."

"What is your position regarding the school resource officer program and why?"

Quinlan: "It's important to have an officer in the school that the kids can see. ... They can talk with him." He would be able to defuse emergency situations before they occur.

Wilson: He had mixed emotions about an SRO in the school and that the program is "too much money. ... I don't think our school can afford what we have to pay a school resource officer."

"What is the best thing happening at the high school right now, and why do you think that's important?"

Bolser: She was impressed with how the school's junior class had been working on improving its Prairie State Achievement Exam scores.

Bishop: The greatest assets at RTHS are the administrative team, staff and teachers. "If you have problems or comments or whatever, they are very willing to work with you and work with the students."

"What can a school board do to help improve the school's and community's public image?"

Everly: "It goes back to parental involvement. I think we need to challenge and engage our families to be involved." He said the district also needs to challenge every school board member to be involved.

Brotherton: More "networking with our resources. ... Social networking is phenomenal, and we need to get positive things out there." Sometimes it's the district's fault for "not getting (a positive image) to the people that need to know."

"What skills do you have that would help make the school successful?"

Wilson: "One skill I bring to the board is a little maintenance, mechanical background in school improvements that we're doing." My experience in that area helps "to look at pricing and bids to see if school is going in right direction."

Quinlan: Because of education experience, "I think I have an understanding I can work with the board. I think it's important that the teachers and the administration know that you're behind them."

"What is the most important issue facing the Rantoul High School and how would you address it?"

Quinlan: "I'm sure test scores is one of them, but I'm not going to say that. I'm going to say bring the pride back to Rantoul High School."

Wilson: State funding and transportation are primary concerns. "There can be a central place where we can pick kids up" to save on money.

Bishop: Morale. The board needs to remind students that RTHS is their school, and the image they put forth is what the community will see.

Bolser: Image is "probably a big piece. ... I think we as a community, whether it's schools or village, we need to project a better image. ... We got great kids. We got great community members."

Brotherton: Not every student who comes to RTHS is college bound. "We have to keep that in mind, and we have to maintain many avenues for as many children as we can to get backgrounds that will make them successful in life."

Everly: The school needs to go completely green in terms of functionality. "Our tax dollars are being spent, (and) it's just being wasted."