The Fulton Sun asked candidates for the South Callaway R-II School District's Board of Education race to share insight about why they are running for office and what they hope to accomplish if elected. There are eight candidates, including the three incumbents, on the ballot for three seats available. Candidates Michael Benningfield and Dawn Bailey did not return questions by press time. The election is April 8. Look for election coverage of other local school board races in upcoming editions of the Fulton Sun, including North Callaway School Board on Tuesday.
Gary Felkner
Why are you running for the South Callaway Board of Education and what would you like to accomplish?
I graduated from South Callaway and would like to give back to the community. I heard from many employees and students who are very unhappy and I would like to give them a voice. I would like to see an improved morale at South Callaway schools.
Penny Felkner
Why are you running for the South Callaway Board of Education and what do you want to accomplish?
I am running for school board to be a representative of the community. I think with my background in Information Technology I can give a new perspective in decision making for iPads and all technology infrastructure. I would like to accomplish better communication between the school district and the community and to improve student and teacher morale in the district.
Kit Glover, incumbent
Why are you running for the South Callaway Board of Education and what do you want to accomplish?
I am running in order to continue pursuing organizational excellence at South Callaway in the areas of school climate, instruction, instructional technology, testing, the physical plant, and fiscal responsibility. I want to see full curricular implementation of the iPad and continued enhancement of "The Leader in Me" program, based on Steven Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People .
Dale Hentges
Why are you running for the South Callaway Board of Education and what do you want to accomplish?
What is the best thing the school district is doing? Why/how so?
What needs the most improvement? Why/how so?
Overall response to the questions:
Over the past several years people in the district feel our board and administration have not listened or responded to the concerns of teachers, staff or parents. I want to build a trust, with a more open line of communication on the policies and purchases of the district. I feel we now have a good overall quality of teachers, which we need to maintain and improve upon. I believe the most important issue is the lack of open information that is easily available to the taxpayers of the district.
Mark Laughlin, incumbent
Why are you running for the South Callaway Board of Education and what do you want to accomplish?
It is a great sense of accomplishment when you make a change or implement something that will help the students in their education. I would like to see South Callaway be the school that everyone else wants theirs to be like. The front runner in safety, education, facilities, pay and all this without raising taxes.
Brent Woods, incumbent
Why are you running for the South Callaway Board of Education and what do you want to accomplish?
I love serving the community and trying to make a difference in our kiddos' lives. In the past nine years I've been on the South Callaway School Board, it has been very rewarding and I've learned so much. It's not always been a smooth ride but I've always tried to do my best, not only for the school district but also for our kiddos.
We have put in motion a long-term facilities and technology plan that I think will put South Callaway in a class all its own. Our superintendent has worked very hard on this and I'm proud to be a part of it and hope to see it through.
For more responses from the candidates, pick up the Sunday, March 23 issue of the Fulton Sun.