Bill Fountain – CMS School Board – District 1

LPMeck Alignment

Summary of Responses
92% 🟢

Advocates for decentralizing CMS into smaller districts, reducing bureaucracy, and prioritizing transparency, accountability, and merit. He criticizes excessive consultant use and inefficient transportation, emphasizing limited government and personal responsibility.

Full Answers Provided by the Candidate:

1. Should CMS remain county-wide or be split into smaller districts?

CMS is too large to be effectively managed. Since the school board already operates with six districts, it would make sense to transition into six autonomous districts. This aligns with the principle of subsidiarity—decisions are best made at the lowest competent level.

2. Is the superintendent hiring too many from outside the system?

Yes. The Superintendent has relied heavily on outside hires and partnerships, including numerous NGOs. The concern is whether these outside organizations are held accountable to taxpayers and parents. Transparency is needed to ensure they serve students’ interests, not their own agendas.

3. Is CMS relying too heavily on consultants?

Yes. CMS is relying too heavily on consultants. For example, a recent $500,000 contract to “coach” principals raised concerns from three board members. Those funds would be better spent directly on teachers and classrooms.

4. Is the current transportation/shuttle stop system effective?

There are concerns. Parents report seeing buses with very few students on board, raising questions of efficiency and safety. Some families avoid the bus system due to safety concerns at stops or on buses. We need to review operations to ensure both safety and cost-effectiveness.

5. What is your most Libertarian stance on education, and how would you implement it?

My most Libertarian stance on education comes down to two tenets:

  1. Limited government — The issues above show CMS has drifted into bureaucracy, outside contracts, and equity-driven policies instead of focusing on academics.
  2. Personal responsibility — CMS undermines merit by promoting students who aren’t proficient and tolerating misconduct under the banner of “equity.” This erodes accountability and responsibility.

To put students first, not politics, we should return to what works: disciplined classrooms, strong character development rooted in virtues, and mastering the basics—reading, writing, and math. Instead of politicized programs, we should emphasize character formation and responsibility, which truly prepare students for life.

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