Age: 39
Current Occupation: Commercial/Ag Loan Officer at CS Bank and Farmer
Past Experience: 6 years serving on the Purdy School Board
Education: Purdy High School Graduate
1. Why do you want to be on the school board, and what qualifications support your candidacy?
I would like to continue my service on the board of education to keep representing the moral values and hard work that is found in the Purdy community. I will do this through prayer and the policies set forth by the board of education guaranteeing standards of excellence that is expected every single day in Purdy schools. I want each and every child, teacher, staff member, administrator and parent that steps through the doors to feel the love and bond that Purdy Schools has to offer, along with a feel of home that can not be felt at any other school. I feel I am qualified by my experiences on the board and in life because I got to watch and learn from my dad who served on the board for 27 years. I was born and raised in Purdy and I have a strong devotion to the district and want to see it succeed to the degrees of excellence beyond our imaginations.
2. If elected, what do you see as your top priorities?
My main and top priority has and always will be, that every decision made is the best for children. With that being the main priority, hiring and retaining the best teachers and administration that we can find is the best way to have a positive effect on students and their growth. We have great teachers we just need to keep them here in Purdy. I would like to see a raise in teacher pay and keep the continued support that they need to be successful and our ability to compete or exceed in what local bigger districts can offer. Another is continued growth. In 2022 our APR (Annual Progress Report) was reported as being a 70.3%. In 2023 our APR improved by 10.2% to 80.5%. Typically a school will experience a 2-3% increase or decline from year to year. What this data shows me is how much our school has improved and how much more we can gain. With increasing scores like this one, shows how much more our students will be prepared for life’s endeavors after graduation and their ability to be more successful and pillars of the community.
3. What will be your approach to managing the district’s finances?
Fiscally sound and common sense financial decision making. When it comes to purchases and finances. Every decision I make I look at what current and future effect it would have for the district, students, faculty, staff and tax paying community member. Every budget that is approved has been gone through with a fine tooth comb to maintain a healthy operating platform with no waste of money that would be a useless need or want. Every dollar spent will have a purpose to maintain excellence.
4. Are there specific areas of the budget you like to cut, or any areas you would fund more?
As stated as a top priority above I would like to approve a budget that gives our teachers a raise and adds additional positions that will have an instant impact on our learning environment. I’m hoping that we will be able to see the continued growth in our students with collected data over the next couple of years.
5. What is the most important factor in graduating successful students from Purdy?
The most important factor is that every kid graduating from Purdy Schools is ready for their next chapter in life. Rather if it is going to college, entering the work force right after graduation or going straight to the farm. I want every child to tackle any task set in front of them with courage, knowledge and intuition that they gained from Purdy Schools to be successful in life.
6. What (if any) capital projects would you like to pursue if elected?
In just the last few years with the help of the community in passing a no tax increase bond. We have been able to have a newly remodeled cafeteria, kitchen, bathrooms and remodeled district offices inside and out that has increased school safety to what it needs to be to keep all of our kids safe each and every day. When I first came onto the board six years ago school safety was one thing I wanted to improve. With your help that is now a reality. We are also currently constructing a new bus barn that has been needed for a very long time. We were able to do all these things to make Purdy Schools a better place and maintain a healthy budget for future growth and improvement.
