Claremore Daily Progress

Our View

March 4, 2010

243 days and counting

Bailey Dabney Publisher

CLAREMORE — Last Friday when Susan Paddack walked through the Daily Progress’ doors at 315 W. Will Rogers Boulevard escorted by Frank Robson, there were still 249 days until the November 2 elections. Senator Paddack, D-Ada, is running for State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

After five terms, incumbent Sandy Garrett, the first woman elected to serve Oklahoma as State School Superintendent has decided not to run for reelection. Susan Paddack aspires to be the second woman elected to serve our children and our schools.

As of press time Paddack has no announced opponents in the July Democrat primary. Randall Gorman, the former mayor of Colbert, Oklahoma previously threw his hat in the ring, and then withdrew, endorsing Senator Paddack.

The filing deadline is early June, and gaining traction in a statewide election means time is running short. So many miles, so little time. It takes at least 249 days to visit and listen to Oklahomans across the state.

Paddack does face Republican opposition for the top schools job. Dr. Janet Barresi, R-Oklahoma City, a dentist, speech language pathologist, and charter school founder also aims to be the next woman serving Oklahoma as School Superintendent.  Shawn Hime, R-Enid, Superintendent of Enid Public Schools is running as well.

Paddack, a former eighth grade science teacher believes that the use of technology can transform our schools. An advocate for the importance of a sound education, Paddack believes the use of technology is essential to our future.

Addressing the growing partisan political divide she commented, “Education is not partisan. If we do what’s right for kids, we do what’s right for Oklahoma,” Paddack said on Friday. “We have done incredible things in Oklahoma Public Schools, especially in the area of early childhood development. I’ll extend that same type of early childhood focus into all of our programs.”

Paddack knows that the collaborative skills and the organizational skills that have served her well in the State Senate will be necessary for her to have success as the Superintendent of Public Instruction. She’s not locking herself into a defined platform of reforms and changes.

 Instead, she’s selling her experience as an educator, legislator, and parent. In addition, she’s listening to the concerns of parents, students and other voters. Experience prepares a leader to react to the changing landscape, take advantage of opportunities, and mitigate threats.

“She can get to the meat of the coconut pretty quick. I’ve seen her do it many times. That’s a true skill,” commented Robson.

All three major candidates bring quality experience to the table. All have spent time directly with students and administration. It appears that Paddack is the only one to have made an official visit to Rogers County thus far.

It is important for Rogers County voters to know that the statewide candidates know where we sit on the map, and know what makes us different than municipalities in other parts of the state. Susan Paddack has officially begun the process of listening to Rogers County.

That’s worth something. Having Frank Robson’s glowing endorsement: Priceless.

n Bailey Dabney is publisher of the Claremore Daily Progresss.

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