Monte Smith

Why are you running?

I have three children, one that has graduated and two that are still in Nevada Schools. I think being actively involved as a parent and patron of the district in helping the school district grow and improve is a worthwhile thing to do. I have learned a great deal over the last three years and feel I can contribute a great deal more to see the school system continue to improve to help all children get the best education possible.

What are the top three issues confronting your school system?

Staying Competitive: Whether it is with our students trying to learn and achieve in an ever changing global world or our salaries and wages, we need to stay competitive to try and teach and educate the students and challenge them to grow to their full potential.

Funding: With the ever-changing way that schools are funding, staying on top of the different ways we are receiving revenue, as well as understanding how to best utilize it to get the most out of what we have been entrusted with and allocating it in the most effective way possible.

Involvement: We should involve the community and its stakeholders in the school system whenever we can to show them all the great things the Nevada School District is doing. This will get more buy-in and let them see firsthand how the school system is educating our children and using the facilities, resources and finances they have entrusted us with to help get that accomplished.

Your top priority once elected

We need to challenge our students to be problem solvers. To help them develop their abilities to think independently to find possible solutions to problems. If we can use relevant Real World learning situations to do that it will make it a more challenging and a lasting learning experience. We need to continue to develop more streamlined common teaching methods and curriculum. That will make it easier to accomplish a higher level of achievement and be able to adapt in an ever-changing world.

Your professional background

I have been an insurance agent for Farm Bureau for 10 years. I also own and operate S & S Cattle Co., a registered and commercial beef cattle operation.

List any civic, community involvement and/or church involvement:

I have served on the YMCA board for six years, including the building committee for the pool. I work with the Vernon County Youth Fair as the Swine Carcass Committee Chairman, a member of the Vernon County Cattleman's, serve as a swim meet official with the Nevada Neptune's Swim Team, as a well as being a member and past Elder of Crossroad's Community Church. I have previously served on state boards and committees with the ALOT Foundation, the Mo. Pork Producers and the Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee.

Educational background

I am a 1986 graduate of NHS. I then attended MU and graduated with a BS in animal science in 1990. I am a Certified Quality Specialist graduate for the Center of Continuous Quality Improvement in 1997, as well as a Class 9 graduate of ALOT: Agriculture Leaders of Tomorrow in 2002. I addition I take continuing education courses on an ongoing basis for my insurance license designations.

Family

I have been married to my wife Peggy, who owns and has operated her own hair and nail salon, for 24 years. We have three daughters: Lize, a first year sophomore at Cottey College, Courtney, a sophomore at NHS, and Madi, a soon to be teenager, in the sixth grade at the Middle School.