Six candidates are competing to fill four seats on the North Callaway Board of Education during the June 2 municipal election.
The election was previously scheduled for April 7 but was postponed in response to COVID-19. Candidates include Jamie Hill, incumbent Sandy Lavy, Kendall Pipes, Timothy Safranski, Ann Schmidt and Rebecca Wall.
This is the first of a three-part series of North Callaway candidate profiles and includes Hill and Lavy and Pipes. The second and third parts will run in Wednesday's and Thursday's papers.
JAMIE HILL
Jamie Leigh Hill, 36, moved to Callaway County in 2014. She grew up in a small cotton-producing town in Arkansas. Hill completed an associate degree in applied science, majoring in nursing at Arkansas Northeastern College in 2007. Since then, she's cared for the critically ill in many units. She completed a bachelor's degree in nursing at Central Methodist University in 2018 and is enrolled in the master's of healthcare administration program at William Woods University. Since 2014, she's worked at SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital Audrain in Mexico, and currently serves as the infection preventionist. Her three children are 17, 16 and 12.
Why did you decide to run for this position?
I decided to run for a position to be elected for the Board of Education because I will help be a voice in the decision-making and process improvements affecting all the children and employees at North Callaway.
What are your qualifications?
I live in the Callaway county district area and have for the last six years. While I have been a registered nurse for the last 13 years, education is one of my core beliefs and values. I completed my bachelor's of science in nursing in 2018 through Central Methodist University and I am currently in a master's of healthcare administration program through William Woods University. My three children all attend North Callaway (senior, junior, and seventh grade). Being a part of and living every day facing the challenges that these uncertain times have brought upon our community, I would help North Callaway's Board of Education develop processes that ensure everyone's safety and promote the best outcome possible.
What do you see as the biggest issue facing your school district, and how do you plan to solve it?
Some of the biggest challenges I have seen at North Callaway are now being addressed, such as updates to aging buildings and new strategies to adjust to the changes that are set forth by safety restrictions. If elected, my plans are to utilize my knowledge and past experiences related to facing challenges while continuously improving processes with a positive morale and values.
What is your strategy for attracting and retaining quality teachers in your district?
Deciding to be a teacher is a decision that is made with the utmost confidence and compassion. Teaching is a calling and blessed profession. One of the strategies that I would implement to attract and retain quality teachers at North Callaway would be to first conduct a survey that would include asking the three most important values to teachers. Also, the process of advertising any available teaching positions would be analyzed and evaluated for effectiveness and reach.
SANDY LAVY
Sandy Lavy graduated from North Callaway High School in 1977. Her three sons graduated in 2007, 2009 and 2012. She retired from Kingdom Telephone in 2015 after working there for 35 years. She is currently the city clerk for the City of Auxvasse and lives just outside of Auxvasse.
Why did you decide to run for this position?
Having been on the board of education for 12 years I decided to run again when the opportunity of a two year term became available. We have a new superintendent and will have three new school board members so I thought I might be a mentor of sorts on the board.
What are your qualifications?
My qualifications are somewhat answered in the previous answers. I have been in the district for too many years to count and have a great loyalty to the district. The past 12 years on the board have been a continuing educational experience and I expect the next two would be the same.
What do you see as the biggest issue facing your school district, and how do you plan to solve it?
I see funding and budgetary responsibility as the biggest issues facing the district at this very uncertain time. With the assumption that funding will be less in the coming year or years, we as a district will be looking at each and every expenditure. School finance is a complicated thing and provides a continual learning experience and then it seems there are still questions. I would never claim that I could solve the issue of funding, but it's important to assure we're being fiscally responsible and that we not just choosing the low bid, but choosing the best services and contractors for our district.
What is your strategy for attracting and retaining quality teachers in your district?
I believe our new configuration of classes with the 2020-21 school year will afford our teachers more of an opportunity to share their strengths with our students on so many levels. If we can keep our budget in line we can hopefully increase teacher salaries and or benefits as much as possible. Finding and retaining quality teachers is sometimes a challenge, but it is what is best for our students.
Doing what is best for our students is and has always been the passion of the North Callaway Board of Education. I don't see that philosophy changing any time soon. I believe North Callaway R-1 school district has a very bright future and I look forward to serving the patrons, students and staff of the North Callaway school district for two more years.