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School board, FSCC candidates square off at chamber forum
A dozen candidates vying for various spots on the USD 234 Board of Education and the Fort Scott Community College Board of Trustees introduced themselves publicly and explained their reasons for running for election during a forum Tuesday evening at Fort Scott Middle School.
Four contestants are competing for three open seats on the FSCC Board of Trustees and eight are gunning for four spots on the USD 234 Board of Education. They spoke before about 100 people during the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce-sponsored forum. Each candidate was allowed two minutes to talk about why they are pursuing a seat on the board and, if they wished, gave their stance on important issues.
Local businessman Mark McCoy, a candidate for the FSCC Board of Trustees, said he "had no thought" in past years of running for a position on the board before this year.
"I think it's important to be involved in government ... and to educate children in government," he said.
Regarding the review of budgets and spending money, McCoy said he is "fiscally conservative."
"I want to see where you can conserve and serve," he said. "I want to know why the expense is necessary."
Bill Meyer, another FSCC board candidate, said he returned to Fort Scott in 2000 following a 30-year career in hospital administration. Meyer, now retired, served for several years as FSCC registrar.
Meyer said he supports "educational excellence" and a "students first" approach.
"Students first must remain the focus of the board, the administration and the college," he said. "I would support using finances as efficiently as possible."
Incumbent board member Robert Nelson, who has served on the board for 12 years, said he took a college music appreciation course years ago before deciding to run for a spot on the board. His instructor at the time, and several other people he knew, encouraged him to run.
"That was 12 years ago," he said. "I got elected and now I'm here asking for a fourth term."
Nelson said he is impressed with the quality of students at FSCC. Those he meets say "yes, sir" and "no, sir" when he speaks to them and are the main reasons he is pursuing re-election.
Jim Sather, a financial planner who has lived in Fort Scott since 1996, has served eight years on the FSCC board. He has a vast educational background, having worked as both a principal and teacher, which he said helps him with his work on the board.
"I truly care about Fort Scott," he said.
Sather said the board is pleased with the way it is currently helping the college manage its budget.
"We pride ourselves on using money wisely," he said.
Jodi Johnson, an FSCC and Pittsburg State University graduate originally from Linn County, is a candidate for position one on the USD 234 board. She has lived in Fort Scott for 21 years and has children attending school in the district. She currently works as a payroll supervisor for a local company.
"I have friends who say the reason I'm running is the 'empty nest' syndrome," she said. "I see it as a way to give back to the community ... It seemed like a perfect fit. I want to work hard and do what's best for students."
Local attorney Justin Meeks, a board member for the last four years, said he "has always been involved in education." His mother once served as president at FSCC and is still works in college administration.
"I know how much work educators put in, and also their fiscal responsibility," he said.
Meeks said he "wasn't expecting" the challenges that he and other board members have faced the last few years, primarily continued cuts in the district's budget. But he said he "wants to do it again."
"It taught me a lot about school boards," he said. "We need to be looking out for students."
Carrie Allen, a candidate for position two on the board, said there are "a lot of reasons" she chose to run for election but the "main reason is kids."
"Your kids, my kids and all the kids in the community," she said.
Allen said she has worked for the last 12 years in the financial industry and, if elected, she would apply her experience in that field "in making decisions for the school board." She also has children attending class in the district.
Michelle Hudiburg, the other candidate for position two, is a lifelong Fort Scott resident and 1991 graduate of Fort Scott High School. Hudiburg, a teacher, said she has "a lot of experience in education."
Some of her reasons for deciding to run for a seat on the board include "teaching children how to think" and "preparing students for challenges."
"Every student is vital to the future of our community," she said.
Belynda Davenport, a candidate for the unexpired position six term, said she was born and raised in Fort Scott. She has worked as a nurse and is currently an instructor in the allied health department at FSCC.
"My passion is not only nursing, but education," she said.
Davenport said she is running for election for two reasons -- to "be part of a team," and also serve as an advocate, "someone who listens to students and teachers."
Current board member Jeff Sims, head football coach at FSCC, said he would be in favor of raising the district mill levy to help keep quality teachers or raise their salaries.
"I want to raise the mill levy," he said. "We need to pay our teachers."
Sims is currently filling the unexpired position six term left vacant by the 2010 death of Becky Weddle.
Candidates for the at-large position seven include local investment advisors Richard Goldston and Jordan Witt. Goldston said he also has children in the district and wants to "see kids succeed."
"I don't want to be part of a school board that rules with a heavy hand, but we are facing challenges," Goldston said.
Goldston said he is not in favor of raising the mill levy to help offset budget cuts, adding "there are things that can be done without raising taxes."
Witt, a 1994 FSHS graduate, has three kids in the district. Witt said he is often "amazed at the talent of students" in the district.
"These kids, as they get out of school, are going to be the future of Fort Scott," he said.
Witt said he would possibly support an increase in the mill levy if it meant keeping quality teachers.
"The No. 1 way to provide great students is through great teachers, pure and simple," he said. "If we have to, we have to (raise the mill levy). Keeping teachers is important."
Current board member Janet Braun is running uncontested for position three on the board and did not speak at the forum.