Age: 61
Current Occupation: Dryer/silo operator at IDF/ Farmer
Past Experience: I served as a substitute teacher for a few years at Southwest after graduation from Crowder and worked on the family farm raising turkeys, beef cattle, corn and running a grade A dairy. This is my 21st year as a member of the Southwest School board
Education: I am a 1981 graduate of Southwest having attended there for 13 years. I was a member of the first kindergarten class at Southwest and my mother was the teacher. She taught kindergarten in the mornings and 8th grade in the afternoon. I graduated in 1983 from Crowder College Neosho, obtaining an Associates in Applied degree
1. Why do you want to be on the school board, and what qualifications support your candidacy?
As a veteran board member I have enjoyed my time on the board and want to continue serving the patrons of our area in helping to provide a quality education to the children of our district.
2. If elected, what do you see as your top priorities?
I see my priorities as continuing to work with fellow board members and administration to see that we have quality teachers and to maintain/upgrade our facilities.
3. What will be your approach to managing the district’s finances?
As for district finances, I think we need to continue using no tax increase bond issues when practical and getting the biggest bang for the buck.. These funds have been used to upgrade facilities and make needed improvements. Some things accomplished are a new track at the high school, a new bus barn/garage that has more room to get buses inside for maintenance work, renovations in various school buildings that include upgraded lighting, air conditioning, flooring and bathroom facilities. Our latest project has been our sports complex which includes new softball and baseball fields and a first for our area trap field. We have worked with our bond underwriters and used refunding (or refinancing) on our bonds at different times over the last several years to get lower interest rates and save the district thousands of dollars. We continue using the bid process for fuels, some food items and other services that are contracted with the district. Through our efforts we have some of the best paid teachers in the Southwest Missouri area.
4. Are there specific areas of the budget you like to cut, or any areas you would fund more?
There are no areas of the budget that I feel need to be cut or funded more at this time.
5. What is the most important factor in graduating successful students from Purdy?
Whether continuing their education or going into the workforce students need the skills required to accomplish their goals and know the importance of attendance. Poor attendance in school results in poor grades and at work results in lower pay or lost jobs.
6. What (if any) capital projects would you like to pursue if elected?
I would like to see the school get a fine arts room/building at the high school that is constructed to the specifications that it could be used as a tornado shelter. I would also like to see our new daycare and the preschool classes all located together in their own building. We have seen an improvement in the skills and performance of our kindergarten students that have been to preschool.
