Candidates line up for R-5 school board election

By Steve Moyer

Nevada Daily Mail

The five candidates for the two open seats on the Nevada R-5 Board of Education were given questionnaires with identical questions. Their responses are below.

Chris Ellis

What do you see as the most important function of the school board?

I believe that the most important role of a school board is to set policy and monitor performance. We also want to work closely with the superintendent.

What will be your guiding principle in decision making if you are elected?

My decisions in the past and in the future would always be based on what is best for the kids of our school district.

What experience do you bring to the position?

I have served three terms for the R-5. I have gained valuable experience serving the patrons of this district. Working closely with other board members who have the best interests of kids and our employees always in mind has truly been a pleasure.

How would you have handled the question of when to start the school year?

Many factors go into making a school calendar. There are always challenges that face us when we come up with a start date. Many people offer guidance during this process. We will always strive to have the best start dates and end dates that provide us the best learning opportunities during the school year.

How do you see the economy affecting the R-5 district in the future?

In the years that I have served on the board we have had many challenges to face when we prepare our budgets. The future will always have unknowns that we will deal with. Good planning, working hard with all parties close to budgeting will always be vital for us to remain strong financially.

Travis Ellis

What do you see as the most important function of the school board?

For me the most important function of the school board is to work with the superintendent and faculty. My primary goal will be to ensure the faculty and staff, have all the resources necessary to provide the highest quality education to the children in our district.

What will be your guiding principle in decision making if you are elected?

My decision making principles are based on facts, policy, and personal judgment. I feel that as a group the board must use sound judgment and not make decisions on impulse or out of influence from individuals or organizations.

What experience do you bring to the position?

Having three children in Nevada R-5 school district I have had many opportunities to be involved in activities both at school and in the community. Our oldest son is actively involved in Band, FFA, and the high school track program. Earlier in the year my wife and I had the opportunity to travel with the Band to Broken Arrow, Okla. With help from other parents we organized and fed more than 100 kids and chaperones twice during the band competition. It has been experiences like this one that have made me want to do more for the kids and school system. After seeing firsthand the hard work put into these programs by students and teachers alike I have strong respect and understanding for the needs of the district. I have in the past, and will continue to coach my children in sports such as soccer (nine years), softball (three years), and any other activity they choose. Supporting our youth has always been a priority for me.

How would you have handled the question of when to start the school year?

Not having all the facts I'm hesitant to say much. My only question would have been could we possibly shorten Christmas break by two days starting the break Dec. 23? We have, like many other families, had to find someone to watch our children for the extended break given in years past. This would have allowed the school year to start a bit later possibly accommodating those involved with activities at the state fair.

The economic state of our country is affecting everyone. It is essential for all of us to work together and this may include making some sacrifices. I think as a group the board, administration, and staff must make it a priority to get all they can out of the budget.

Mike McCaffree

What do you see as the most important function of the school board?

The most important function of the school board is to make sure that students are learning. Boards must make decisions regarding policies, allocation of resources, and professional development that ensure students are learning at an appropriate rate. Also the board should work with the superintendant to make sure we hire the best teachers and get teachers the training and help they need to be successful.

What will be your guiding principle in decision making if you are elected?

Again, I would base decisions upon whether students are learning. If elected I would also go into the board with an open mind and realization that I would have a lot to learn. The board members I have talked to tell me there is a lot to learn, especially in the first year or two on the board.

What experience do you bring to the position?

I went kindergarten through 12th grade in the Nevada school system. I graduated in 1987 from Nevada High School in the top 10 percent of my class. Currently, I serve on the Education Committee for the Missouri Association of Realtors and President of the Missouri Chapter of Certified Residential Specialists.

While serving on these boards I have dealt with similar issues that affect school boards: budgeting, policy making, continuing education, etc.

I graduated from Westminster College in Fulton, Mo., and gained a lifelong interest in reading history and current events. Also, I attended three of the last four school board meetings as a member of the public.

How would you have handled the question of when to start the school year?

I understand the concerns of the parents who attend the state fair but I think the board made the right decision. I attended the board meeting in which this came up. It was my understanding that the district had a shorter number of days to complete the fall semester (when the fair is held) compared to the spring. If the district is not able to get in enough classroom days in the fall they run the risk of pushing finals past Christmas and New Year's. I do not think students should be biting their nails over the holiday vacation waiting to come back and take finals after Christmas break. It was also my understanding that the fair attendees would be given an excused absence while attending the fair.

How do you see the economy affecting the R-5 school district?

I am concerned about the economy just like everybody else. I think southwest Missouri's economy is holding up better than other parts of the country. I spoke with Cherie Roberts, Tammy Beach, and Phil Couch at the courthouse to get a better understanding of how our local school tax levies work. I understand that approximately two-thirds of the monies going to the R-5 schools come from real property taxes. A big drop in real estate values could affect the board's ability to provide resources the students need but I am hopeful that does not happen.

Tim Moore

What do you see as the most important function of the school board?

The most important function of the Nevada R-5 School Board would be to ensure that the high standards that have been set by previous boards are kept and improved upon.

What will be your guiding principle in decision making if you are elected?

My guiding principle will be to always look at every issue with the most objective mind possible. All issues have many different views, and it is important to consider all solutions, and choose the one that works best for the common goal.

What experience do you bring to the position?

Aside from raising three children, ages 14, 12, and 9, I have a knowledge of the school district from living here all my life. Also, four years on the Nevada City Council, one as mayor, has given me a view from a board perspective, especially when trying to please many people, even on sensitive issues.

I think looking at all sides was the way to go. As our community is very heavy in agriculture, and it is a large industry in our county, I feel that this was a very sound decision based on all aspects and information that I have seen.

I believe the economy will affect the school greatly, as it will many aspects in our community.

I feel the school district will need to be creative in funding sources, and be very studious in extra spending. It will be very important to have the community as a whole to continue to support the R-5 district, as these students are the future leaders of our community.

Andy Remington

What do you see as the most important function of the school board?

To follow and shape school policy, as necessary. To help support all employees and students of the district in whatever capacity is needed. Help make tough decisions in relation to budget items. (All of these hold equal weight to me)

What will be your guiding principle in decision making if you are elected?

COMMON SENSE (That's an easy one!)

What experience do you bring to the position?

My "family owned" business has been around since 1948, we've always had success, and for the majority of years, have held the No. 1 market share in our industry. That's not an easy task, and few businesses in the area can boast about that. I also believe I have the most experience in relation to the construction industry, a topic that is apparently going to affect the district very soon because of the new "stimulus package" coming down the pipe. And finally, prior to my business expeience, I was involved in law enforcement, which forms pretty good problem solving skills and being able to react to situations quickly and efficiently.

How would you have handled the question of when to start the school year?

This was originally a tough one, till all the facts came out at the last school board meeting. There's no question, Nevada is a "agriculturally based" community, and the needs of the people have to be addressed accordingly. However, when the board decided to give the students attending the state fair, excused absences, coupled with the needs of students enrolled in "dual enrollement" credits and vo-tech students from outside the area, being affected as well, the board made the proper decision.

How do you see the economy affecting the R-5 district in the future?

According to the last board meeting, it already has. Because of the recent "down turn, in our economy, it has already affected the district by some $700,000 in tax revenue.

If that's the case, we have to become even more efficient than what we already are.

It's going to be tough, but with good employees and a good board, we should be just fine.