School board elections next week
by Sara Sedlacek · September 02, 2009 The school board election for the West Liberty Community School District will be this Tuesday, Sept. 8, at the Muscatine County Fairgrounds Activity Center. Polls will be open from noon to 8 p.m.
There will be only two names on the ballot. Current board member Kevin Minor will likely be keeping his seat and Dr. Rhea Allen will be running for the seat left vacant by current board member Tim Buysse. Minor and Allen will be running for four-year terms. See page 8 to learn more about the candidates.
Also on the ballot is the option to renew the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) of $1.34 per $1,000. The board has already approved $0.33 per $1,000. The renewal will be for 10 years. The current PPEL expires June 30, 2012.
The reason the district has decided to put the PPEL renewal on this year’s ballot is so there is still one more chance to try to pass it if it doesn’t pass this year. The PPEL renewal will take a 50 percent majority vote to pass. PPEL funds are obtained through a combination of property taxes and income tax surcharge. The money goes toward purchasing and improving grounds, constructing schoolhouses or buildings and opening roads to schoolhouses or buildings, purchasing buildings or equipment, paying debts contracted for the erection or construction of schoolhouses or buildings, expenditures for energy conservations, renting facilities under chapter 28E, transportation equipment for transporting students, lease purchase option agreements for school buildings or equipment and purchasing equipment authorized by law.
Meet the candidates
Rhea J. Allen
Years Living in the West Liberty Community School District: 28
Spouse: Rod Allen, full-time farmer and part-time teller at Farmers & Merchants Savings Bank in Nichols
Children: Elizabeth (Allen) Hendress, graduated from West Liberty High School in 2002, and from Cornell College in Mt. Vernon in 2006
Thomas Allen, who is a junior at West Liberty High School. Thomas has been in the Dual Language program since kindergarten.
Occupation: Physician, practicing at Mercy Services-West Liberty
Why do you want to be on the West Liberty Community School District Board of Education?
I was prepared to succeed in college because I was blessed to have caring, talented teachers who chose to teach in the public schools when they could have made a lot more money in other, easier endeavors. My children have benefited from the educational opportunities that others have worked hard to make possible in the West Liberty Community School District. I would like to have the opportunity to serve on the WLCSD Board of Education so that I can be a part of the work of the Board, Administration, teachers, and parents to help all children in our district achieve their full potential,
What do you think is the most important issue our schools are facing right now?
We have to meet federally mandated standardized testing achievement standards or risk consequences such as loss of local control. However, we also need to devote resources to other programs that are important for a well-rounded education, but might not directly help standardized test scores.
How will you address this issue?
I would like to learn more about the state standards for content and benchmarks, and what teachers, administrators, and parents in our district feel is needed to help our students succeed in meeting achievement goals. I would work hard as a team member on the Board of Education to make sure we tap every resource possible to help the kids in our district succeed.
What are the top three things you would like to see happen in your four years on the board if you are elected?
I would like to see programs in place to make sure the WLCSD can continue to attract and retain the best teachers, and that teachers have the resources they need to teach effectively.
I would like to see creative solutions to allow families to participate in a child’s education, even if there are barriers such as work schedules, language, and transportation.
I would like to see our graduation rate continue to improve, and I would like to see every student graduate with coursework that prepares them for their next step in life.
Kevin Minor
Years Living in the West Liberty Community School District: 30
Spouse: Norma
Children: Shania, 7th grade and Kurtis, 5th grade
Occupation: Self-employed
Why do you want to be on the West Liberty Community School District Board of Education?
To help insure the kids in the district get the education they deserve
What do you think is the most important issue our schools are facing right now?
Student achievement levels and funding
How will you address this issue?
Listen to the administrators, review the data on our school and other high-achieving schools and provide as many resources as possible to meet our goals for every student to learn at a high level. For funding we will improve communication with state and federal leaders to fully fund the programs they implement.
What are the top three things you would like to see happen in your four years on the board if you are elected?
Student achievement reach our first goal of meeting NCLB then at least 90 percent proficient
Complete all major construction projects needed
Get state to change the terms for school board members back to three years |
