Banks, 73, was first elected to the school board in 2008. Since that time, he’s been outspoken on some issues, including the budget and the controversial balanced calendar.
Banks has two challengers — Lisa Hanson and Stephanie Henry — in the July 31 Republican primary. No Democrats are seeking the seat, so the winner of the primary will likely take office in January.
Here’s where he stands on some key issues.
Banks said he plans on voting against the charter school amendment that will be on Nov. 6 ballots statewide.
“The proposed amendment does not have any accountability to the local school district, but the local school district will have to absorb any charter school failure or shutdown,” he said. “Along with (House Bill 797), the state will have the authority to use taxpayer money to adequately fund any charter school in trouble without any taxpayer approval.”
Banks, who worked in information technology before his retirement, also said he supports using Teach For America staff. His fellow board member, David Morgan, has pushed to bring TFA to Cobb, and has the support of Cobb Superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa.
“I will support a board member’s effort when they feel that the option is viable and necessary to improve the educational process in their post,” he said.
As for whether the board spends enough time talking about academic issues in public, he said he was not sure that the board should become too involved with that. However, Banks said the board members should analyze and evaluate the scores with “academic experts” so that they can have “meaningful discussions with school communities.”
Banks said his biggest issue in the next term would be to ensure adequate financing for the district. He insists there should be a cap on the amount of money the state takes from Cobb schools and redistributes to poorer districts. The state also must stop cutting the dollars it allocates to each district, Banks said.
As for what he’s learned by being on the board, Banks said: “Sometimes governing is very difficult. Unfortunately, at the time that I came on the board, the economy changed drastically so we’ve had to make some personnel decisions and reductions in personnel that I would have preferred never having to make,” he said.
Banks is using his email newsletter, “David’s Grapevine,” and making a lot of phone calls to campaign.
His June 30 campaign-finance report filed with the state shows he has raised about $2,500 in contributions and loaned his campaign $20,000.
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Why are you criticizing CCAE and their endorsement of your opponent they endorsed and gave you $1,000?
Where in the CCAE endorsement for Mrs. Hanson does it mention anything about her or her children's school "activities?
What gives you the authority to go and ask any school employee/administrator about the involvement of a candidate? This really crosses a personal line.
I'm glad to see Post 5 voters are paying attention to incumbents who think they can do what they please during their tenure and expect to waltz back in without being questioned.
Bet you were surprised to find other candidates qualified to run against you for Post 5.
My support will now be for Lisa Hanson, she has present a better platform and stands against TFA and for controlling the budget and expenses. Go Lisa.
Second: Just because another board member "FEELS something is viable" does not translate into good policy or practice.
Third: Regarding the budget, I distinctly recall one of your first proposals was to build a new central office, even after the current recession was quite apparent.